Excel: How to Give Descriptive Names to Custom Add-in Macros

ID: Q93903

The information in this article applies to:

SUMMARY

In version 4.0 of Microsoft Excel, the Add-in Manager displays descriptive names for built-in add-in macros. You can add these descriptive names to your custom add-in macros that are displayed in the Add-in Manager.


MORE INFORMATION

When a custom add-in macro is added to the Add-in Manager, the filename and macro name of the custom add-in is the default filename that is displayed in the Add-in dialog box. If you want to display a descriptive name for a custom macro in the Add-in Manager dialog box, you must define a "Long Name" on the add-in macro sheet.

The Add-in Manager looks for the following defined names on add-in macro sheet: 


 __Command (refers to area on macro sheet that adds commands to built-
   in menus)

 __DeleteCommand (refers to area on macro sheet that deletes commands
   from built-in menus)

 __LongName (refers to descriptive name)

 __DemandLoad (refers to TRUE or FALSE)


To add a descriptive name to Add-In Manager:

  1. If the add-in macro has already been saved, hold down the SHIFT key and open the .XLA file.


  2. From the Window menu, choose Unhide.


  3. In the Unhide dialog box, select your add-in macro file in the Unhide list.


  4. In a blank cell within the macro, type a descriptive name.


  5. From the Formula menu, choose Define Name.


  6. In the Name box, type "__LongName" (without the quotation marks).

    Note: LongName should be preceded by two underscore characters.


  7. Choose the OK button.


  8. From the Options menu, choose Add-ins (If the Add-ins command is not available, reinstall it using the Excel Setup disks).


  9. In the Add-In Manager dialog box, choose Add.


  10. In the File Open dialog box, choose your add-in macro file.


  11. Choose the OK button.


  12. In the Add-In manager dialog box, choose the Close button.


Your add-in macro file is added to the Add-in Manager, and your descriptive name is displayed in the Add-In Manager dialog box.

Additional query words: description HOWTO 


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Last Reviewed: March 30, 1999