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How to install or uninstall Excel Add-ins (Windows & Mac)

How to install or uninstall Excel Add-ins

An Excel Add-in is a mini-software application that provides Excel with enhanced functionality and automation features. Whilst they can be created by third-party suppliers, even Microsoft themselves develop add-ins to provide additional functionality.

Add-ins can take a number of forms:

  • Excel Add-ins – typically these are Excel files saved with .xlam or .xla file types. They can be opened for single use, or installed to ensure the features and functionality are always available.
  • COM Add-ins – requires full software installation process for the functionality to be available.
  • Office Download Store Add-ins – These are purchased and available through the Microsoft Office Add-ins store. (Click Insert > Get Add-ins > Store from the Excel Ribbon).

COM Add-ins and Office Download Store Add-ins will have their own installation processes. Excel Add-ins, however, have a more flexible approach and require a few manual step to ensure the software installs correctly. But don’t worry, it’s pretty easy.

This post specifically covers the steps to install an Excel Add-in for both Windows and Mac.

Manually opening an Add-in for single use

To use an Add-in it is not essential to install it. Opening the file as a standard Excel file will enable the use of the Add-in whilst that session of Excel remains open. The next time Excel opens, the Add-in will not be available automatically, it will need to be manually opened again.

How to install an Add-in (Windows)

The steps into install an Add-in on a Windows PC are as follows:

Save the file

Save the file on your computer in a location which is accessible at all times.

There is an official Add-ins folder, which can usually be found here: C:\Users\[user name]\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\AddIns\. However, there is no need to use this folder; any folder will do. Personally, I use an Add-ins folder within the Documents folder.

Unblock the file

If the Add-in file was saved from the internet, there is an extra step to permit access to the file.

Right-click on the Add-in file, select Properties from the menu.

Install Add-in -Properties

From the Properties window unblock the file and click OK.

Install Add-in - Unblock File

It is only necessary to unblock the file once.

If there is not an unblock option you can skip this step, as Windows has not deemed the file to be a security risk. Add-ins can be harmful to your computer, (they can be used to transfer viruses), so only unblock files which come from reputable sources.

Install the Add-in within Excel

Open Excel. From the Excel Ribbon click File -> Options

Install Add-in - File Options

From the Excel Options window select Add-ins. The main window will change to show a list of active and inactive Add-ins. At the bottom of this window select Excel Add-ins and click Go…

Instlall Add-in - Excel Options

From the Add-ins window click Browse…

Install Add-in - Add-ins Browse

Navigate to the location where you save the Add-in file. Select the file, click Open.

Install Add-in - Select File

The Add-in will appear in the list with a tick next to it. Click OK.

Install Add-in - Installed

The Add-in has installed and is now ready for use.

How to deactivate an Add-in (Windows)

If you wish to keep an Add-in, but do not need it to be active, follow these steps (see screenshots in the section above).

Open Excel. From the Excel Ribbon click File -> Options.

From the Excel Options window select Add-ins, at the bottom of that window select Excel Add-ins from the Manage drop-down, then click Go…

Untick the box next to the name of the Add-in to deactivate. Click OK.

Deactivate Add-in - Untick

The Add-in will remain in the list Add-ins, but will not be active. It will no longer open automatically when Excel starts.

How to uninstall an Add-in (Windows)

If you wish to uninstall an Add-in completely delete, move or rename the original Add-in file.

Follow the steps above to deactivate the Add-in.

When ticking or unticking the Add-in, a message box will appear, asking for permission to delete the reference to the Add-in. Click Yes to uninstall the file.

Uninstall Add-in - Error Message

How to install an Add-in (Mac)

On a Mac there are fewer steps than on Windows (Yes, the Mac version is better at somethings). This procedure only applies to Excel 2016.

Save the file

Save the file on your computer in a location which is accessible at all times.

Install the Add-in within Excel

Open Excel.  From the Menu Bar select Tools -> Excel add-ins…

Install Add-in Mac MenuBar

The Add-ins window will open, click Browse.

Install Add-in Mac Browse

Navigate to the location where you saved the Add-in file. Select the file, click Open.

Install Add-in Mac Find File

The Add-in will appear in the list with a tick next to it. Click OK.

Install Add-in Mac Installed

The Add-in has installed and is now ready for use.

How to deactivate an Add-in (Mac)

If you wish to keep an Add-in, but do not need it to be active follow these steps (see screenshots in the section above).

Open Excel. From the Menu Bar select Tools -> Excel add-ins…

In the Add-ins window remove the tick next to the Add-in to be deactivated, then click OK.

Deactivate Add-in Mac

The Add-in will no longer be available to use and will not load automatically when Excel starts.

How to uninstall an Add-in (Mac)

If you wish to uninstall an Add-in completely, delete, move or rename the original Add-in file.

Follow the steps above to deactivate the Add-in.

When ticking or unticking the Add-in, a message box will appear, asking for permission to delete the reference to the Add-in. Click Yes.

Uninstall Add-in Mac

The Add-in will no longer appear in the list of Add-ins.

Conclusion

To install an Add-in requires a few manual steps. For both Mac and Windows these steps are quick and easy to apply.

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About the author

Hey, I’m Mark, and I run Excel Off The Grid.

My parents tell me that at the age of 7 I declared I was going to become a qualified accountant. I was either psychic or had no imagination, as that is exactly what happened. However, it wasn't until I was 35 that my journey really began.

In 2015, I started a new job, for which I was regularly working after 10pm. As a result, I rarely saw my children during the week. So, I started searching for the secrets to automating Excel. I discovered that by building a small number of simple tools, I could combine them together in different ways to automate nearly all my regular tasks. This meant I could work less hours (and I got pay raises!). Today, I teach these techniques to other professionals in our training program so they too can spend less time at work (and more time with their children and doing the things they love).


Do you need help adapting this post to your needs?

I'm guessing the examples in this post don't exactly match your situation. We all use Excel differently, so it's impossible to write a post that will meet everybody's needs. By taking the time to understand the techniques and principles in this post (and elsewhere on this site), you should be able to adapt it to your needs.

But, if you're still struggling you should:

  1. Read other blogs, or watch YouTube videos on the same topic. You will benefit much more by discovering your own solutions.
  2. Ask the 'Excel Ninja' in your office. It's amazing what things other people know.
  3. Ask a question in a forum like Mr Excel, or the Microsoft Answers Community. Remember, the people on these forums are generally giving their time for free. So take care to craft your question, make sure it's clear and concise.  List all the things you've tried, and provide screenshots, code segments and example workbooks.
  4. Use Excel Rescue, who are my consultancy partner. They help by providing solutions to smaller Excel problems.

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