How to automatically install and activate an Excel Addin using VBA code

When you create Excel Addins and distribute them to a lot of users, normally the users must copy the Add-in files into the “Addins” folder from the path: “C:Usersuser_nameAppDataRoamingMicrosoftAddIns” and after that to activate the Addin from Excel:

Because these steps take time, the users must follow them everytime when you send a new version of the Addin and sometimes they forget what to do, I created a VBA code which installs and activates automatically a specified Addin file.

How it works ?

• Create a new folder with the INSTALL.xlsm file (which can be downloaded at the end of this post) and your Addin.xlam file. (the files must be in the same folder !):

• Open the INSTALL.xlsm file and in the VBA Developer- Module1, install_add_in() procedure change the fileName variable assignment with the name of your addin file:

Sub install_add_in()

Dim mypath As String, strfile As String, fileName As String

mypath = ActiveWorkbook.Path
fileName = "General.Tools"   'replace General.Tools with the name of your Add-in !!!
strfile = "" & fileName & ".xlam"

file_to_copy = mypath & strfile

folder_to_copy = Environ("Appdata") & "MicrosoftAddIns"

copied_file = folder_to_copy & strfile

'Check if add-in is installed
If Len(Dir(copied_file)) = 0 Then

'if add-in does not exist then copy the file
FileCopy file_to_copy, copied_file
AddIns(fileName).Installed = True
MsgBox "Add-in installed"

Else

'if add-in already exists then the user will decide if will replace it or not
x = MsgBox("Add-in allready exists ! Replace ?", vbYesNo)

    If x = vbNo Then
        Exit Sub
    ElseIf x = vbYes Then
        
        'deactivate the add-in if it is activated
        If AddIns(fileName).Installed = True Then
            AddIns(fileName).Installed = False
        End If
        
        'delete the old file
        Kill copied_file
        
        'copy the new file
        FileCopy file_to_copy, copied_file
        AddIns(fileName).Installed = True
        MsgBox "New Add-in Installed !"

    End If

End If

End Sub

• Save the file, create a *.zip/*.rar archive with the folder and send it to all users.
• The users will now Install and activate automatically the Addin by opening the INSTALL.xlsm file and just pressing the “INSTALL ADDIN” button.

• If an old version of the Addin already exists in the Addins folder, the user will be asked to confirm if he wants to replace it with the new file.

–> Using this code the users will not have to remember where to copy the files and how to activate the Addins.

Download the INSTALL.xlsm file:

INSTALL