Excel Interop different versions

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  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

Hello,

I've developed an assembly, which opens an excel workbook and readout the
range names and -values. I'm working with Office XP on my computer. I want to
deploy this assembly on computers, using excel version 97/2000/2002/2003. Is
this possible and allowed, if I copy the PIA microsoft.office.interop.excel
to the target computer?
If not, do I need all Excel versions(pretty expensive)?

Best regards
Maik
 
I've kept copies of the olb files from Excel 97 and Word 97 for my projects.
By doing this, you can add a reference to these files and can reasonably
expect to be able to run your software against Excel 97 and anything higher.

So far, my code has worked with Excel 97, 2000 and 2003 without any
modification.

Steve
 
Yes, this will be a good solution. But is it allowed and legal that I copy an
interop dll of a microsoft product on a deploying machine? Our customer pays
for our solution and I dont't want to infringe Microsoft Copyrights.
 
My understanding, and I can't offer legal advice as the laws in different
countries may be different, is that the "olb" file should be copyable
between machines. It does not give you the ability to run Excel, so I can't
see that you'll be pirating software. Anyway, you have a licence for a
version of Excel, so you've paid for the software.

Steve
 
Thanks for your advice. I only have one problem. I don't have an excel97
version on my computer. Is it possible to download the excel8.olb file(for
excel97) and use it for my solution?
 
I got mine off an old Office 97 install. You could always ask your client
for the files - they should have been installed to the Office folder. Don't
know of a specific download site.

Steve
 
Are you sure that I'm autorized by microsoft to copy an olb file from our
customer? Do you have a reference about this subject?

Is there any saved statement from Microsoft about copying olb files or
copying microsoft interop assemblies on deploying machines?
 
I can't be sure about copying an olb file from a users machine - it was just
a suggestion. As I say, I already had them so it was never a problem.

MS allow you to freely download the interop assemblies for the latest
version of office, so I can't see why you can't have them for an older
version. Why not checkout the Office support web site and see if they're
available.

Steve
 
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