XL: How to Set the Descriptive Name of an Add-in File

ID: Q120795

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel, it is possible to create a descriptive name and descriptive text for an add-in file that is listed in the Add-Ins dialog box.

MORE INFORMATION

In Microsoft Excel, the Add-Ins dialog box lists add-in files that are automatically opened when you start Microsoft Excel. In the Add-Ins dialog box, these files have descriptive names that resemble the following examples: 

   Analysis ToolPak
   Analysis ToolPak - Visual Basic for Applications
   MS Query Add-In
   Report Manager
   Update Add-In Links
   View Manager
Add-in files also have descriptive text that appears in the lower part of the dialog box. For example, the descriptive text for the ODBC add-in states the following: 

   Lets you use ODBC functions to connect to external data sources
   directly.
To set the descriptive name and descriptive text for a workbook that is to be made into an add-in file, follow these steps:

Microsoft Excel 7.0 and 97

1. With the workbook active, click Properties on the File menu.

2. In the Summary tab, enter the following values: 

   Title    : <enter the descriptive name you want to use here>

   Comments : <enter the descriptive text you want to use here>
3. Click OK to accept the changes.

Microsoft Excel 5.0

1. With the workbook active, click Summary Info on the File menu.

2. In the Summary Info dialog box, enter the following values: 

   Title    : <enter the descriptive name you want to use here>

   Comments : <enter the descriptive text you want to use here>
3. Click OK to accept the changes.

When you make the workbook into an add-in, by choosing Make Add-In from the Tools menu, the new add-in will use the descriptive name and text that you entered when you added the add-in into the Add-Ins dialog box.

Microsoft Excel 97 uses a different procedure to create an add-in. For more information on this, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 

   ARTICLE-ID: Q156942
   TITLE     : How to Create an Add-In File in Microsoft Excel 97
If you have already created your add-in file, but you did not properly set the descriptive name and/or text, it may not be possible to modify the existing add-in file. Instead, you must reopen your source workbook, set the descriptive name and/or text, and then recreate the add-in by choosing Make Add-In from the Tools menu, or by following the steps in the Microsoft Knowledge Base article mentioned above.

Additional query words: 5.00 7.00 xl97 

Keywords          : xlui 
Version           : WINDOWS:5.0,5.0c,7.0,97; MACINTOSH:5.0,5.0a
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS

Last Reviewed: January 8, 1999