Learn how to install an Excel add-in and fix the disappearing add-in ribbon using a few simple steps. Don’t forget to enable the Developer tab!
The Developer Tab
In this section, you will learn how to enable and show the Developer tab on the ribbon. It’s a key step before you install an Excel add-in. Locate the Developer Tab first because it’s hidden by default.
Steps to enable the Developer tab:
- Locate the ribbon and right-click on the Home Tab.
- Click the ‘Customize the ribbon…’ option and Excel Options box will appear
- Choose the ‘Customize the ribbon’ option
Tip: We have a much better solution also. Using keyboard shortcuts to make it appear faster! Press the “R” after right-click.
- Okay, now we have the Excel Options box.
- On the right-side of the main window you’ll see the the active tabs. Activate the Developer Tab.
- After clicking OK the Developer tab will appear.
Install an Excel add-in
To install an Excel add-in, follow these simple steps below:
- Download the file to your local drive. Unzip the file if it has a zip format. Place the xlam file to your Documents folder or your preferred location.
- Locate the Developer tab and click the Excel add-ins section. After clicking this tab, you will get a new window.
- Click Browse and locate the main file.
- The installed file will appear in the list. Finally, click OK to close the window.
Watch this tutorial below if you want to install an add-in using a faster way.
Disappearing Add-in ribbon
Sometimes you need to do additional steps. One of the most frustrating issues is the disappearing add-in ribbon effect. A recent Excel update has caused add-in Ribbon Menu Bars to disappear when Excel is opened. We’ll show the solution on how to fix it. Let us see the solutions!
If your add-in has not appeared on the ribbon, unblock the file or move the file into a trusted location. You will learn how to do it.
The difference between .xlsx and .xlsm (.xlam) files: If you are open a normal (macro-free) Excel file, nothing will happen. If you are working with add-in files, Excel will never inform you; you can open the file without any security message.
Unblocking add-ins
When you get the macro-enabled file from the internet, the file is blocked by default.
Steps the unblock an Excel file:
- Right-click the add-in file
- Select Properties
- Locate the General tab, Security section.
- Mark the Unblock box checked
- Click the OK
Restart Excel and your add-in will appear on the ribbon.
Trusted locations
When the unblocking method does not help, you have to try to move the file (folder) to a trusted location.
How to add an Excel add-in to the Trusted Location?
- Select the following path: File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Trusted Location
- Click ‘Add new Location’
- Click ‘Browse’ to select the folder that contains the main file
- Select OK to close the Trust Center window
- Finally, restart Microsoft Excel
If you have not found your default add-in folder, use this path below:
C:\Users\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\AddIns
Important: You have to add this folder to the Trusted Locations list because it is not trusted by default.
For more information, please watch this video below:
Additional resources: