Removing add-in/module

[Merlin63]

Hello All,

I recently installed an add-in to Excel XP (2002) by dropping the .xla
file into the XLStart directory. Ths add-in added itself to the tools
menu as another option. Removing it from the tools/add-in menu was
not an option and removing it from the XLStart directory did not work
either. I checked the registry for references to the .xla file but
did not find any. Running Excel in safe mode (excel.exe /s) will
cause the add-in not to run. I can also see an instance of this
add-in running when I look in the Visual Basic Editor. Besides
reinstalling Excel, is there any way to remove this? If anyone needs
additional information, please let me know.

Thanks!

 

[Gord Dibben]

Maerlin

What is the name of the Add-in?

Sounds like it is not well-built and did not delete its menu additions when it
closed.

Have you tried Tools>Customize and dragged the offender off the Menu Bar then
closed Excel to see if changes stuck?

If that doesn't work try..........

Close Excel.

Then do a search for *.XLB file(there may be more than one) and rename it(all)
to something like *.xlbold

NOTE: this will reset any customizations you may have made to Toolbars or
Menus.

Restart Excel. Is the add-in menu still there?

Gord Dibben Excel MVP

 

[Dave Peterson]

When you select the option from the Tools menu, you get an error that the macro
couldn't be found???

If yes, then removing the .xla file from the XLStart folder did work
(partially!).

If the number of items that were added is small, you could remove those items
manually.

Tools|Customize (just to show that dialog)
Then click on the Tools menu to show all the items.
right click on the one you don't want and select delete
and then close that dialog

 

[Merlin63]

Gord and Dave,

Looked for an .XLB file and couldn't find a single one. When
launching the macro from the tools menu it always launches the macro.
Even after removing the module and forms from the Visual Basic Editor,
it still will not allow me to remove the worksheets associated with
it. The modules will also re-add themselves after exiting and
launching Excel again.

The add-in can be found here:

http://www.cpearson.com/Zips/Compare.ZIP

It's like the add-in somehow embedded itself into Excel...

Any additional ideas?

Thanks!

 

[Gord Dibben]

Merlin

If you have used Excel at least one time, you have an *.xlb file.

Make sure you have My Computer>Tools>Folder Options>View>Files and Folders set
for "show all files" and uncheck the "hide known file extensions".

Do you have any path in Excel Tools>Options>General "at startup, open all
files in:"?

If you have, check to see if you have a copy of Compare.xla in that folder.

You are better off if you delete any pathname in that section in any case.

There can be more than one XLSTART folder. Be sure you have removed the
add-in from each.

C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\XLSTART

C:\Documents and Settings\User\Application Data\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART

Hang in there. We'll get rid of it.

Gord

 

[Dave Peterson]

I misread your question. I thought that the addin was already removed, but you
still had the item on a toolbar.

I've used that addin and it doesn't do anything special when you run it.

But it sounds like you're changing the addin--removing its modules and forms.
Instead of that, you should just not load it.

You could just look for compare.xla on your pc, but this might be easier.

Start up excel and if it that workbook is loaded (check in the VBE):

Hit alt-F11 to get to the VBE.
hit ctrl-G to see the immediate window.
type this and hit enter:

?workbooks("compare.xla").fullname

I think you'll find it in one of your xlstart folders (or the "open all files in
____ at startup" folder).

Then close excel and delete that file.

Then go back to Chip's site and download another workbook. It may come in handy
someday and it sounds like you've destroyed the current version.

 

[Merlin63]

Gord and Dave,

Thanks very much for your help. I managed to find exactly what I was
looking for... It seems that the add-in was being launched from:

C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Application
Data\Microsoft\Excel\XLSTART

After removing the add-in, Excel starts up fine without the add-in
loading.

I don't know why I didn't find it before, but thanks very much to both
of you!

 

[David McRitchie]

The .XLB is a hidden file, I would suggest that you
expose all file extensions and all hidden files.

Read about hidden files in this section of my web page
Toolbars, Custom Buttons and Menus
http://www.mvps.org/dmcritchie/excel/toolbars.htm#emergency