What's an Excel Add-in File?
An add-in file is an Excel file that contains macros (code) and has the extension “.xla” or “.xlam” (2007 and later). When opened, the worksheets in the file are hidden and the macros are typically accessed through buttons that are added to the toolbar or ribbon. Once installed, an add-in will automatically open every time Excel is opened.
We also have a guide on how to Uninstall an add-in.
Installation
Here is a video that walks through how to install the add-in.
Please see my video below on how to add the add-in's folder location to the Trusted Locations list. This is now a critical step due to a July 2016 Office Security update.
Installing the add-in is pretty easy, and should only take a few minutes.
- Save the add-in file to your computer.
– Pick any folder on your hard drive that is easy for you to find.
– My suggestion is to create a folder named “Excel Campus” and place it in your Documents folder. - Open Excel and go to the Options Menu.
– This varies depending on your version of excel.
– 2007 – Office Button > Excel Options
– 2010 & 2013 – File > Options
- Click the “Add-Ins” option on the left-side menu, and then click the “Go…” button.
– You may have to wait a few seconds for the window to appear.
- Click the “Browse…” button on the Add-Ins Menu.
- Locate the add-in file you saved in Step 1, and click OK.
- The Add-in will appear in the list and should be enabled, click OK.
- Installation Complete (almost) – The add-in is now installed. However, there is now an additional step due to an Office Security Update in July 2016. Please see the section below for instructions.
Trust the File Location
Important Note: There is one additional step to this installation due to an Office Security Update released in July 2016. Here is a video that explains it in more detail.
The folder that the add-in file is saved in needs to be added as a Trusted Location in Excel. The instructions on how to trust the folder location are below. I also have an article and video that describes this issue in more detail.
- Open the Excel Options menu
- File > Options
- File > Options
- Open the Trust Center menu and Add a new location
- 1. Trust Center > 2. Trust Center Settings… > 3. Trusted Locations > 4. Add new location.
- 1. Trust Center > 2. Trust Center Settings… > 3. Trusted Locations > 4. Add new location.
- Browse for the folder that you saved the add-in file in.
- Press OK, the folder should now appear in the Trusted Locations list.
- Press OK on the Trust Center and Excel Options menu to close the menus.
- The add-in is now in a trusted location and the XL Campus tab will appear every time you open Excel.
Unblock the File
Some users still have issues with the add-in’s ribbon disappearing after trusting the folder location. If this happens to you, you will need to Unblock the file by changing a file property.
- Locate the Add-in file (.xla, .xlam) in Windows Explorer.
- Right-click the file and select Properties.
- At the bottom of the General tab you should see a Security section. Check the box that says Unblock.
- Press the OK button.
- Close Excel completely and re-open it. The add-in should now load and any custom ribbons will appear.
You will only need to do this unblock one time. However, if you download an updated version of the file then you will have to repeat the steps above to unblock it.
Hopefully these additional security steps will be fixed in a future update to Office. If you completed all the steps above then you should see the add-ins ribbon tab load every time you open Excel.
If you need to uninstall or remove an add-in, checkout our guide and video to uninstall an add-in.
Download PDF
Add-ins
Paste Buddy – Create custom keyboard shortcuts for the paste special commands like paste values.
Formatting Shortcuts Add-in – Keyboard shortcuts to change font & fill color and cell styles.
how do i get the add-in file am saving in step 1 which is later referred to in step 5?
Hi Eric,
You will have to download or create an add-in file. I have quite a few add-ins that are available for free download on the following page.
https://www.excelcampus.com/tools
Please let me know if you have any other questions. Thanks!
Thank u very much for great knowledge & useful tips
Like
how can i install xl campus tool ?
Hi Sayeed,
All my add-ins are listed on my downloads page. Some are free and some are paid. Check it out and let me know if you have any questions.
Thanks!
Sorry, I used Excel on Macbook, how i add-ins your file in excel, i can’t find out excel option.
Thank
Here are the instructions for installing an add-in on the Mac 2011 version. I hope that helps.
Hi Jon
Thanks for the add in .We have been looking for a way to summarise our Debtors Information and this has been quite helpful.We have also combined this with vlook up and with your permission can send you so that you can also share with others
Regards
Tererai
Thank you Tererai! I’m happy to hear it helped. Yes, I’d be happy to take a look at your add-in.
Thank you very much and its beautiful page,we liked it.
I download your zip file for Formatting Shortcuts Add-in but it’s shows as that is not a valid file for add in.
please provide your valuable feedback.
Hi Jon,
I installed the pastebuddy addin and it doesn’t show up in any of my ribbons even though it is checked in the addin manager.
Hi Jon,
I downloaded and installed the shortcuts, but when I try to use it when I hit change is wants to change the cell and doesn’t give me any of the format options. What did I do wrong?
I downloaded your guide and opened a new Excel workbook and created an Excel Add-In.
The add-in is enabled and the location of the add-in file is trusted. I also checked to see if the file is blocked, and it is not. I don’t see the add-in on the menu, and when I close the Excel sheet and open a new one, it shows the add-in as active and being opened, but the option still does not appearing on the menu.
This add-in should open a window and ask for the name of the window to focus on, and then send values that represent keystrokes to the other focused application. This add-in was used a few years ago successfully.
It’s going to be ending of mine day, but before end I am reading this impressive piece of writing to increase my experience.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on meta_keyword. Regards
This was very helpful. Thank you!
Hi maybe someone know this , when i have a Addinn, then i have in the menu Add-Inn (i have this in danish) so i don’t have the add-inn name like here “Xl campus” So question is how to get my Add-in name ,in the menu
Sir, 19th Feb.2020.s ar
I must appreciate your efforts to this article in detail.n future too.
It is very useful article for me.
I hope to receive such Tricks and Tips in future too.
Once again thanking you.
Kanhaiyalal Newaskar.
All excel short key
Hi,
Discovered your add-in for filtering data validation lists – great work! (When it works…) Followed all instructions (and trusted the folder and unblocked the file) to install the list sort function (Office pro 2021/Windows 10 Pro/3 monitors).
The folder shows the add in and has a tick showing it is enabled, but nothing happens when I start typing in a cell with data validation.
Any more suggestions? I Don’t want to muck around trying other versions of the code ie the open drop down in middle of screen version if it is a bit flaky.
ps the embedded windows add-in on the ribbon for Microsoft add ins is not enable as I prefer to block their intrusive advertising etc at every chance I get but that should not matter for non-microsoft add ins?
Thx
hi guys, thank you so much for such helpful add-in, but i have issue when i choose a dependent list it snot show the whole list; while original list with search add-in show more than one item .. any clue on how to solve this issue