Editing worksheets in a .xlam file

**ImperatorAtticus** · 08-22-2012, 10:52 AM

I have a large reference spreadsheet (stats.xls) that I normally keep hidden and that always opens with excel (as many of my spreadsheets need to reference worksheets in stats.xls in equations) by storing it in C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART.

All of my colleagues have a similar set-up, but we run different versions of Excel and so the file has to be stored in different folders on each computer (if we want it open in the same manner). This is fine except for when we transfer files to each other - at this point some equations have to be updated with the new directory that the stats.xls file is stored in.

We also have a custom function Add-in file stored under C:\excel and each version of excel seems not to have a problem running this add-in on start-up.

After thinking that the stats.xls problem could be resolved by saving it as an Add-in, I tested this and it seemed to work. My question is - can the worksheets in this file, which is now stats.xlam, be edited without having to keep a .xls version of the file and overwriting the .xlam with the updated version of the .xls saved as the .xlam?

**vandan_tanna** · 08-22-2012, 11:15 AM

Yes, it is possible.

1. Make sure project explorer and properties windows are both visible in VBA
2. Select thisworkbook from project explorer, and set IsAddin property to false.

This will make worksheets visible. Make your changes to the worksheets and reset the isaddin property to true.

**ImperatorAtticus** · 08-22-2012, 11:35 AM

Thanks Vandan.

The IsAddin property does not appear in the property window when I select my workbook. In fact no properties appear when I select my workbook. When I select individual sheets in the drop down menu the IsAddin property still does not appear, though the sheet does have quite a few other properties that do appear. Am I doing something wrong?

I'm using Excel 2010 if that makes any difference.

Thanks again.

**vandan_tanna** · 08-22-2012, 01:03 PM

I have Excel 2007. Not sure if this is Excel 2010 thing...

Let's make sure you are looking at the right location.

Select VBAProject (YourFile) --> Microsoft Excel Objects --> ThisWorkbook Then look for isaddin property.

See attached picture of one of my files Snap4.jpg

**ImperatorAtticus** · 08-23-2012, 04:14 AM

Yes... I was looking at the wrong part - sorry!

Thanks ever so much!

**sathish0204** · 02-17-2014, 07:18 AM

Thanks for the info

**elzinga.byron** · 02-12-2016, 04:23 PM

resurfacing an old thread - I'm looking for help with this exact issue, but the image from vandan_tanna does not load

**elzinga.byron** · 02-12-2016, 04:29 PM

nevermind - found the spot that vandan_tanna is referencing - but I get the error saying

"This extension cannot be used with the selected file type. Change the file extension in the File name text box or select a different type by changing the Save as type."