Add-In installation

[yurich]

I've developed Add-In for Excel (.xla).
Now I want to pack it in any self-extracted .exe.
That .exe will run on the client's computer, remove previous version of this Add-In (if exists) and install current version.

Thanks,

[alex_read]

If you have a copy of vb, you'll have a package & deployment wizard which allows you to create setup/installation applications.

The package & deployment wizard comes as a sample vb application with full source code which allows you to modify the forms & add your own code (i.e. check for your file & delete it if it exists).

Alternatively, again if you have vb installed, you can create your own setup program from scratch (take a look here... ).

[yurich]

Originally posted by alex_read
If you have a copy of vb, you'll have a package & deployment wizard which allows you to create setup/installation applications.

The package & deployment wizard comes as a sample vb application with full source code which allows you to modify the forms & add your own code (i.e. check for your file & delete it if it exists).

Alternatively, again if you have vb installed, you can create your own setup program from scratch (take a look here... ).

You did not understand me...
I don't have VB project, this is Add-In for Excel (only one .xla file).
I don't need to build setup package, but self-extracted .exe...

[RobDog888]

You'd have to purchase a copy of a program that can create self
extracting exes. VB could do something like this but it would be
like Alex suggested with the P&D Wizard.

If you had a program that creates self-extracting exes then it
would still be up to the user to designate the correct folder for
overwritting the original xla file of the add-in.

I think you best option is to use VB to detect the location of the
add-in and copy over the new xla file. You could then use the self
extracting exe program to "package" the vb files needed. Then
when the user ran the extract and ran the vb program it would
do its magic. But the P&D Wizard already comes with VB so why
not use it?

HTH

[yurich]

Originally posted by RobDog888
You'd have to purchase a copy of a program that can create self
extracting exes. VB could do something like this but it would be
like Alex suggested with the P&D Wizard.

If you had a program that creates self-extracting exes then it
would still be up to the user to designate the correct folder for
overwritting the original xla file of the add-in.

I think you best option is to use VB to detect the location of the
add-in and copy over the new xla file. You could then use the self
extracting exe program to "package" the vb files needed. Then
when the user ran the extract and ran the vb program it would
do its magic. But the P&D Wizard already comes with VB so why
not use it?

HTH

OK. I can write VB program that checks current settings, uninstall old .xla and copy current version to the right location...
But how can I pack this VB .exe and my .xla into 1 .exe file?
P&D creates setup package that contains several files (at least 2: setup.exe and .cab) and it's rather big... This .xla will be distributed via Web and it's very important that installation is as small as possible (only .xla is about 2 MB) and the process of installation is as simple as possible.

[RobDog888]

Oh, ok. Using the P&D Wiz, you can specify to make several cab
files so the user can download them one at a time. You can also
use p&d to deploy the package to your websever using the
Deploy button on the first screen.

If this is not acceptable then the only other option is to use
another packaging program. There are several that work well and
there are some that are free too.

HTH

[dglienna]

WinZip allows you to make self-extracting exe files. You can even specify the location to put the files. I think it will overwrite files with the same name, also.
I don't know if the option is free (or in the trial program), but it isn't very expensive to buy. I will make an .exe of your zip file if you want. PM me, and give a link to this thread, where I can find the .zip file, and the folder that you want to unzip to.

[RobDog888]

Dave, isn't there something with the trial version not allowing you to create self-extracting exe's.

[dglienna]

I think so. I have a good copy, though.

[RobDog888]

I just checked and you can use the free Personal Self Extractor with
your purchased version of WinZip, but if you want to be able to run your
setup program after it self-extracts, you need to buy WinZip's Selft Extractor
utility separately for $49 in addition to the cost for WinZip itself.

[dglienna]

You mean that they don't extract automatically if you don't have the self extractor? I thought that anything that you zip can be made into a self extractable file, that didn't require WinZp. Or are you saying that they only extract using WinZip? The registered one, or an additional SE one?

I just tried making an exe out of a zip. the SE came up automatically. Are you sure that it doesn't work without registering WinZip?

[RobDog888]

Not sure. I was just reading the info from their website.

You can make the same compatible "zip" program. They use a freeware
code posted in the disclaimer, I think its called, stating such.

But getting back to yurich's original question, I think you can use it but the
user that is extracting it may see some kind of screen or something? Not
100% sure. Yurich's need to read up on it more at their site.

[dglienna]

I just extracted an .exe on my W2K machine, which doesn't have WinZip on it, so I guess it will work anywhere!

[RobDog888]

Does it still have a nag screen or inform the user it was created with an
eval version. I thought there was something about either of those as
drawbacks for using the Personal ed. Self-Extractor version.

[dglienna]

nope.. it asks if i want to run it with WinZip. When i clicked YES, it told me that it wasnt installed. this was after I unzipped it automatically.