Application Level Ribbon customization without VSTO

Question

I’ve successfully made a workbook level customization to the Excel 2007 Ribbon by writing some XML with notepad. However, I seem unable to make an application level customization that would apply to every workbook. Most of the stuff I see from MSDN & Google reference making a COM component with Visual Studio (VSTO).

Is it possible to make this application level ribbon customization without VSTO simply using VBA? Also does it need to be a COM, Add-in, etc?

Thanks in advance,

Christmas May

Answer 1

When you did Start > Programs > Excel. Did that actually start a new instance of Excel. Check the View > Window > Switch Windows.

Do both Book1.xls and Namespacea.xlsm appear in the list? If not then that is the problem, you have 2 instances of excel running.

To create an addin you simply need to save the excel file as a .xlam file.

http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/excel-help/add-ins-HA010351123.aspx

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Cheers,

Andywww.andypope.info

Answer 2

Mr. Pope,

Just to be celar, I opened the NamespaceA.xlsm file and then went to start -> programs -> Excel which opened a blank wookbook with title "Book1.xls".  This Book1.xls workbook didn't have any ribbon customizations.  At first I though it was due to compatibility mode, however, turning that off didn't seem to change anything.  I was hopeful you would have the same problem, fix the file, and resend/repost.  However, that doesn't seem to be the case.  How do I make an "Add-in"?

Thanks for trying,

Christmas May

Answer 3

Thanks not what I see.

If I open the NamespaceA.xlsm file I see a new Tab, My Utils, with 2 groups. If I open another workbook the 'Private Group A' is removed but the My Utils tab and the 'Shared Group' remain available.

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Cheers,

Andywww.andypope.info

Answer 4

Andy,

I checked out the hyperlink in your post above.  I read the article and downloaded the Namespaces.zip file.  I then extracted the NamespaceA.xlsm and NamespaceA.docm.  The NamespaceA.docm worked beautifully.  While that file was open, every Word 2007 file I opened had the appropriate custom ribbon.  However, the NamespaceA.xlsm only had the custom ribbon for that Excel file.  Any other Excel 2007 file still had the unaltered standard ribbon.  I RARELY use word and am actively seeking assistance with the Excel Ribbon.  Ideally  I want the workbook that customized the ribbon to be open.  That way by which workbook(s) they have open, they will have different ribbon options.

Please advise,

Christmas May

Answer 5

You can use an alterate namespace and the idQ tag rather than id. This would then make the ribbon customization available to all workbooks as long as the source workbook was open.

If you want ribbon customization to be available to the application without the source workbook being visible then you need to create an addin.

You may find this addin and the example files useful. Along with the links to other resources at the end of the page.

http://www.andypope.info/vba/ribboneditor.htm

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Cheers,

Andywww.andypope.info