Using Built-in Add-In Programs in Excel 2007

Add-in programs are small modules that extend the power of Excel 2007 by giving you access to a wide array of features and calculating functions not otherwise offered in the application. There are three different types of add-ins:

  • Built-in add-ins available when you install Excel 2007.

  • Add-ins that you download for Excel 2007 from Microsoft Office Online.

  • Add-ins developed by third-party vendors for Excel 2007 that often must be purchased.

When you first install Excel 2007, the built-in add-in programs included with Excel 2007 are not loaded and therefore are not yet ready to use. To load any or all of these built-in add-in programs, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Office button and then click the Excel Options button.

    The Excel Options dialog box appears.

  2. Click the Add-Ins tab.

    The Add-Ins tab lists all the names, locations, and types of the add-ins to which you have access.

  3. At the bottom, select Excel Add-Ins from the Manage drop-down box and click Go.

    Excel opens the Add-Ins dialog box showing all the names of the built-in add-in programs you can load.

    Activating built-in add-ins in the Add-Ins dialog box.
    Activating built-in add-ins in the Add-Ins dialog box.
  4. Click the check boxes for each add-in program that you want loaded in the Add-Ins Available list box.

    Click the name of the add-in in the Add-Ins Available list box to display a brief description of its function at the bottom of this dialog box.

  5. Click OK.

    An alert dialog box appears, asking you if you want to install each selected add-in.

  6. Click the OK button in each alert dialog box to install its add-in.

After activating add-ins in this manner, Excel automatically places command buttons for the add-ins in either an Analysis group on the Ribbon’s Data tab or in a Solutions group on the Formulas tab, depending on the type of add-in. In some cases, Excel inserts an Add-Ins tab on the Ribbon.

If you end up never using a particular add-in you’ve loaded, you can unload it (and thereby free up some computer memory) by following the previously outlined procedure to open the Add-Ins dialog box and then clicking the name of the add-in to remove the check mark from its check box. Then click OK.

Comments (3)

  1. Posted by Frank
    Hello, I'm looking to auto highlight a cell if the number calculated within it is greater than a set amount. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. I'm using Excel 2007, however most of my colleagues are using 2002.
  2. Posted by Dummies Online Editor
    Frank: You need to use conditional formatting. Check out Applying Conditional Formatting in Excel 2007 . Earlier versions of Excel don't have the large color palette that 2007 does, so stick with either the bright red or highlighter yellow. You shouldn't have any compatibility issues otherwise.
  3. Posted by buy adipex that cost under $100
    QO0VIw Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.

Leave a Reply


Post Comment

Connect with For Dummies

Sign Up for RSS Feeds

Computers & Software

Inside Dummies.com