XL5: Error Adding Protected Add-in Workbook to Add-in Manager

ID: Q129437

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, you may receive the following error message when you try to add a user-created add-in to the Add-Ins List in the Add-Ins dialog box (on the Tools menu click Add-Ins):

<Filename> is not a valid add-in
This error message occurs if the workbook was password protected before you made it an add-in.


CAUSE

When you add an add-in to the Add-In list by clicking Add-Ins on the Tools menu, the integrity of the new add-in file is tested. Because the file is encrypted, Microsoft Excel does not recognize it as a valid add-in file.


WORKAROUND

To avoid this error message, use either of the following methods.

Method 1

Do not protect the workbook before you create an add-in. Because an add-in file will be encrypted and compiled when it is created, there is no need to protect the workbook before you create an add-in.

Method 2

If you are using Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, protect the individual sheets rather than the entire workbook. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Switch to the sheet or sheets that you want to protect.


  2. On the Tools menu, point to Protection, and click Protect Sheet.



MORE INFORMATION

NOTE: In Microsoft Excel version 7.0 for Windows 95, module sheets in an add-in behave as if they are in a protected workbook even if you did not apply protection to the workbook.


REFERENCES

"Microsoft Excel User's Guide," version 5.0, pages 659-662 "Visual Basic User's Guide," version 5.0, pages 276-277

Additional query words: 5.00a 5.00c 


Keywords          : kbtool xladdins 
Version           : WINDOWS:5.0,5.0c,7.0; MACINTOSH:5.0,5.0a
Platform          : MACINTOSH WINDOWS 
Issue type        :

Last Reviewed: July 29, 1999