Install the Excel Add-in Loader

This activity describes how to set up the Add-in Loader for Excel. The Add-in Loader ensures all users always access the latest version of the AssayNet Excel Add-in from a shared network folder, without needing to install updates manually. When a new version is released, the Loader automatically detects and uses it—provided the Loader is installed on your computer and you have access to the shared folder where the latest AssayNet Excel Add-in releases are stored.

What You Need

The Add-in Loader file AddLoaderV2.XLA—Dynamically load the latest version of an add-in, whilst unloading any version which is currently loaded and automatically updating any links that pointed to the old version.
The Add-in Loader configuration file AddinLoad.TXT—It tells Add-in Loader which add-ins to make available for on-demand use and which add-ins to load automatically on Excel start-up, and where the add-ins are located.
The latest Excel Add-in file—The current latest version of the Excel Add-in LIMS64-[YYYYMMDD].xla, where YYYYMMDD is the version number.

For new installations, the Add-in files are typically placed in the LIMS folder created by AssayNet LIMS support. New releases are usually distributed to clients by email and can be downloaded from the Datamine Support Portal.

Activity Steps

To configure the AddinLoad.TXT file:
1. Create a dedicated folder on the shared network drive that is accessible to all users. (For example, K:\LIMS\Add-in).
2. Copy the three files (AddLoaderV2.XLA, AddinLoad.TXT, and the latest Excel Add-in file) into this folder.
  Note: All three files must be in the same folder.
3. Open the AddinLoad.TXT file for editing in Notepad or another text editor.
4. At the end of the file, paste the full path to the folder where these files are stored.
  Important: If the folder path is incorrect, the add-in will not work.
5. Edit the AddinLoad.TXT as required.
  The AddinLoad.TXT file accepts up to three parameters per line, separated by commas:
  - Root Name (LIMS64-[YYYYMMDD])—The main name of the add-in. The loader automatically use the latest version found in the folder that starts with this root name and end with .XLA.
    Note: For each file found, the characters in the name after the root name (excluding the extension) are compared to the best found so far. For example, for alphabetic versions the comparison is done using the case-insensitive alphabetic sequence, and for numeric versions the comparison is done using a numeric sequence.
  - Auto—(Optional) Add this parameter if you want the add-in to load automatically when Excel starts. Examples: LIMS64-[YYYYMMDD].xla, Auto.
  - Path—The full path to the folder containing the add-in. If omitted, the loader uses the folder where the loader file is located. Examples: LIMS64-[YYYYMMDD].xla, Auto, K:\LIMS\Add-in.
6. Save and close AddinLoad.TXT.
Note: When an updated version of an add-in is loaded using the Add-in Loader, each open workbook is checked for links to older versions. Any links that point to the older version are automatically updated to the latest version. This automatic link update only applies to add-ins loaded with the Add-in Loader, not those loaded with the standard Excel Add-in Manager.
To install the Add-in Loader in Excel
1. Open a new Microsoft Excel workbook.
2. Select the File tabs (Office 2010 through Office 365) or the Office tab (Excel 2007).
  The File menu displays.
3. Click Options.
  The Excel Options screen displays.
4. Click Add-ins.
5. In the Manage drop-down list, select Excel Add-Ins and click Go.
  The Add-Ins dialog displays.
6. Click Browse and navigate to network folder where you placed the three files.
7. Select AddLoaderV2.XLA (not the LIMS64 add-in) and click OK.
8. If prompted to copy the file to the local Add-Ins folder, click No.
  
  Note: This ensures that you always use the latest version from the shared folder.
9. Click OK to close the Add-ins dialog.
10. You may need to close Excel for the changes to take effect.