Excel is a powerful tool that can be customized to meet the specific needs of its users. One way to customize Excel is by using add-ins. Add-ins are small programs that add new features or functionality to Excel. They can be used to automate tasks, add new chart types, or even create custom functions. However, manually loading add-ins every time you open Excel can be time-consuming. In this article, we will explore how to automatically load add-ins in Excel.
What are Add-ins?
Add-ins are small programs that extend the functionality of Excel. They can be created by Microsoft, third-party developers, or even by users themselves. Add-ins can be used to automate tasks, add new chart types, or even create custom functions. They are typically distributed as files with the extension .xlam or .xla.
Why Automatically Load Add-ins?
Manually loading add-ins every time you open Excel can be time-consuming. It can also be easy to forget to load an add-in that you need. By automatically loading add-ins, you can save time and ensure that the add-ins you need are always available.
How to Automatically Load Add-ins
There are several ways to automatically load add-ins in Excel. Here are three methods:
Method 1: Use the Add-ins Dialog Box
The easiest way to automatically load add-ins is to use the Add-ins dialog box. Here's how:
- Click the File tab, and then click Options.
- In the Excel Options dialog box, click Add-Ins.
- In the Manage box, select Excel Add-ins, and then click Go.
- In the Add-Ins dialog box, select the check box next to the add-in that you want to automatically load.
- Click OK.
Now, every time you open Excel, the add-in will automatically load.
Method 2: Use a Macro
You can also use a macro to automatically load add-ins. Here's an example:
Private Sub Workbook_Open()
AddIns("MyAddIn.xlam").Installed = True
End Sub
This macro will automatically load the add-in named "MyAddIn.xlam" every time you open the workbook.
Method 3: Use the Registry
If you want to automatically load an add-in for all workbooks, you can use the registry. Here's how:
- Open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows Key + R, typing "regedit" and pressing Enter.
- Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Excel\Options (Note: The "16.0" may be different depending on your version of Excel).
- Right-click in the right-hand pane and select New > String Value.
- Name the new string value "OPEN" (without the quotes).
- Double-click the "OPEN" string value and enter the full path to the add-in file, including the file name and extension (e.g. C:\MyAddIn.xlam).
- Click OK.
Now, every time you open Excel, the add-in will automatically load.
Conclusion
Automatically loading add-ins in Excel can save time and ensure that the add-ins you need are always available. There are several ways to automatically load add-ins, including using the Add-ins dialog box, using a macro, or using the registry. Choose the method that works best for you and start automating your Excel tasks today!