Microsoft Excel has three types of add-in programs that provide optional commands and features. Excel add-ins are available when you install Excel or Microsoft Office and are available from the Microsoft Office Web site. Developers and solution providers usually design custom Component Object Model (COM) add-ins and automation add-ins.
Load or unload an Excel add-in program
If the add-in you want to use is not listed in the Add-Ins available box, click Browse, and then locate the add-in.
Note Unloading or removing an add-in doesn't remove the add-in file from your disk.
If you originally installed your Microsoft Office program from a network file server or from a shared folder, you must install or remove components from that location. If you installed your Office program from a CD-ROM and you've mapped your CD-ROM drive to a new drive letter since installing the Office program, reinstall from the CD-ROM. If you're running any Office program files from the CD-ROM, you must uninstall the Office program and then reinstall it from the CD-ROM.
If you installed your Office program as part of Microsoft Office, click Microsoft Office in the Currently installed programs box, and then click the Change button.
If you installed your Office program individually, click the name of your program in the Currently installed programs box, and then click the Change button.
Load or unload a COM add-in program
Developers You can use this procedure to load or unload a COM add-in for testing before you have designed installation and removal programs for your add-in.
Other users of Microsoft Excel If you are not a developer, you should not need to use this procedure. Contact the administrator who provided the add-in if you want installation and removal instructions.
Do one of the following:
On the View menu, point to Toolbars, and then click Customize.
Click the Commands tab.
Under Categories, click Tools.
Under Commands, click COM Add-Ins and drag your selection to the toolbar.
Click COM Add-Ins on the toolbar to see a list of the available add-ins in the COM Add-Ins dialog box.
Do one of the following:
To unload an add-in from memory but keep its name in the list, clear the check box next to its name in the COM Add-in dialog box, and then click OK.
Note Unloading or removing an add-in doesn't remove the add-in file from your computer.
To remove an add-in from the list and from your disk, click the add-in name, and then click Remove.
Load or unload an automation add-in program
Developers You can use this procedure to load or unload an automation program before you have designed installation and removal programs for your add-in.
Other users of Microsoft Excel If you are not a developer, you should not need to use this procedure. Contact the administrator who provided the add-in if you want installation and removal instructions.
Click Automation on the Add-Ins dialog box.
Note Not all automation servers in the list can be installed as automation add-ins.
Automation add-ins must be removed from the registry. See your system administrator for details.