A question came up recently about using the RiskAMP Add-in via Excel automation. When you launch Excel from another application - an Access form, for example - add-ins aren’t loaded automatically. This means that RiskAMP functions won’t work in a spreadsheet.

The same problem exists with all add-ins, and it’s just a function of how Excel works. There’s a way to solve it, but it’s sometimes a bit hard to figure out (it doesn’t help that it doesn’t make much sense).

Here’s an example of VB code that opens Excel and then activates all the add-ins. Add a project reference to the Microsoft Excel library, then use this function:

Private Sub Start_Excel()

   Dim xlAddIn As Excel.AddIn
   Dim xlApp As New Excel.Application

   xlApp.Application.Visible = True

   ' for this method to work, a workbook must be
   ' loaded with Open or Add

   xlApp.Workbooks.Add()

   ' loop over all the Add-ins that are set to
   ' "installed", and toggle the flag from True
   ' to False and back again.

   For Each xlAddIn In xlApp.AddIns
      If xlAddIn.Installed Then
         xlAddIn.Installed = False
         xlAddIn.Installed = True
      End If
   Next xlAddIn

End Sub

For this method to work, the RiskAMP Add-in must be already installed, and “checked” in the Excel add-ins menu. But basically, if the Add-in is loaded when you start Excel normally, this code should work to start it via automation.