Planatech Solutions
  2. XLL+ FAQs
  3. Q0064

HOW TO: Upgrade a project to run in 64-bit Excel

Reference: Q0064

Article last modified on 16-Apr-2019

The information in this article applies to:

  • XLL+ for Visual Studio 2005 - 7.0
  • XLL+ for Visual Studio 2008 - 7.0
  • XLL+ for Visual Studio 2010 - 7.0
  • XLL+ for Visual Studio 2012 - 7.0
  • XLL+ for Visual Studio 2013 - 7.0
  • XLL+ for Visual Studio 2015 - 7.0
  • XLL+ for Visual Studio 2017 - 7.0

What is the procedure to upgrade a project to work with 64-bit Excel?

Issue

I built an XLL+ project which works with a 32-bit version of Excel. I now wish to upgrade it to work with 64-bit versions of Excel. What is the procedure?

Summary

  1. By default, when you create a new XLL Plus project, the XLL+ AppWizard creates both a 32-bit build and a 64-bit build.

  2. If your project contains a 64-bit build, then use Build > Configuration Manager... to open the dialog and set the Active solution platform to be x64.

  3. If you cannot find the 64-bit build in this project see Create a new project below.

Procedure

To build a 64-bit version of the project correctly, follow the steps below.

  1. Use Build > Configuration Manager... to open the dialog and set the Active solution platform to be x64.

  2. If x64 does not appear in the list, then follow the steps in Create a new project below.

  3. Build the 64-bit configuration, and then press F5 to debug and run the add-in. If Excel does not start, use the XLL AddIns > Tools > Set up Debugging command to set the command line.

  4. When Excel starts, check that it is a 64-bit version. See INFO: How can I tell whether I am running an Excel 32-bit or 64-bit version? for details. If you have a 64-bit version of Excel installed on your computer, but it is not the version that is starting, use the XLL AddIns > Tools > XLL+ Options... command to show the XLL Plus General Options. Ensure that Project / DefaultExcelExe is pointing to the correct 64-bit version of Excel.

If you encounter any other problems please contact our support staff via email.

Create a new project

If your existing project does not already contain a 64-bit build, the easiest solution is usually to create a new project that does contain the 64-bit build.

  1. Make sure that the new project is in a different location from the existing project, but ensure that it has the same name.

  2. When you create the project with the XLL Plus AppWizard, be sure to leave the Create 64-bit version checkbox checked.

  3. Copy the source files from your existing project across to the new project folder. For each file that is not already part of the new project, use Add > Existing Item... (Shift+Alt+A) in the Solution Explorer \ to add it to the appropriate folder within the project.

  4. When you have finished adding files to the new project, be sure to use the Update Help Command Line command to upgrade your help file settings.

  5. Build and test your new project, and ensure that the 64-bit build builds successfully.