XLL+ Class Library

XLL+ User Guide

Welcome to the XLL+ User Guide.

This is an on-line guide to building Excel add-ins with the XLL+ toolkit. Through the use of tutorial examples, it shows each of the steps for creating an Excel add-in library.

Quick start
  Quick start A very short introduction to using XLL+
 
Basic features
  Installing XLL+ A step by step guide to installing the XLL+ toolkit
  Creating an add-in project How to create a new MS Developer Studio project for an Excel add-in library
  Writing an add-in function How to use the XLL+ Function Wizard to create an Excel add-in function
  Testing your add-in function How to run and debug your add-in function in Excel
  Variable return types How to return a different data type from a function, depending on whether the function succeeded or failed.
 
Intermediate features
  Vector arguments How to read one-dimensional arguments
  Modifying an add-in function How to use the XLL+ Function Wizard to modify an Excel add-in function, and regenerate the code
  Optional arguments How to test for a missing argument, and use a default if it is omitted
  Matrix arguments How to read two-dimensional arguments
  Array results How to return one- and two-dimensional results to Excel
 
Advanced features
  Handling events How to write event handlers that will automatically run code when the library is opened and closed
  Excel Formula Wizard How to prevent a function from being called in the Excel Formula Wizard
  Sized result arrays How to return an array result that exactly fits the range from which it was called
  Macro functions How to write add-in functions that make changes to workbooks
  Menus and toolbars How to add new menus and toolbars to Excel so that users can invoke your add-in functions
  Using MFC How to use the Microsoft Foundation Classes from within an XLL
  Writing safe code How to bomb-proof your code by catching C exceptions
  Object handles How to expose objects in spreadsheets, using "handles"
  Groups How to reduce the number of arguments to a function, by grouping arguments together
  International support How to support users who prefer languages other than your own
  Multi-threaded add-ins using RTD How to do work in background threads, and have Excel update when you are ready to supply it with new data

Note: In the tutorial steps, you are guided in building an add-in called Tutorial1. You can find all the code for this project, and all the other tutorial projects, under the Samples sub-directory of your XLL+ installation.