XLL Add-in

[mamboknave]

I need to understand how to make my C++ functions available in
Excel-2003. I'm using Visual C++ 2008. I'd like to use the most direct
interface, hence I ~believe~ XLL is the way to go, not DLL. Correct?

I tried to Google the topic and I could not spot a very basic
explanation or guidelines. All links assume previous competence on the
topic. I would appreciate is someone can give me directions or a link
where I can start.

 

[Simon Murphy]

try
http://www.codematic.net/Excel-development/Excel-xll/excel-xll.htm
and

http://www.codematic.net/Excel-development/Excel-xll/Visual-Studio-Excel-xll-project.htm

You can use REGISTER and CALL directly to call your dll, an xll is
pretty much just a dll with the register info included

Cheers
Simon
Blog: www.smurfonspreadsheets.net

 

[mamboknave]

Simon, Thanks!
On a similar note, would you pls tell me what's the difference between
XLL's and Automation Add-Ins, i.e. public functions in COM libraries
to act as User-Defined Functions.
Which is easier to implement? Which performs better in terms of pure
speed?

Regards!

 

[Simon Murphy]

Xlls go through the CAPI to Excel - this is fast.
Automation addins go through the COM interface and so are slower.
Xlls are significantly faster:
http://www.codematic.net/Excel-development/Excel-Visual-studio/visual-studio-excel.htm

Easiest depends on your skillset to an extent, but for most an
automation add-in is the easiest to develop (might be harder to deploy
though)

see here too:
http://smurfonspreadsheets.wordpress.com/2008/09/02/xlls-v-vb6-automation-addins/

Cheers
Simon
Excel development website: www.codematic.net