Being an MVP has some benefits. One of them is that some software companies offer Not For Resale (NFR) products to them for free.
Of course these companies hope the MVP’s will advocate their products.
Well, for this one I will do so: Setup Factory.
I’ve started using this tool just a week ago and I must say I’m most impressed with it.
I published an article on my website today, which first discusses how Excel manages add-ins in the registry and then includes the needed scripts to include with Setup Factory to create and remove those registry entries.
Here is the article:
Installing An Excel Add-in Using Setup Factory
What is your favourite application to build setup files?
Regards,
I use “Inno Setup”. It’s a very impressive freeware that allows you to build some pretty robust setup files.
With it, you can create registry entries, edit registry entries, allow users to select a language, and even create a password protected setup file.
I also use Inno Setup, which as Mike points out is a very capable piece of free software. I don’t know much about its scripting, but the help file is pretty good, and they have a decent forum on their site. Inno does some scripting within the setup file itself, and it also allows you to include script or exe files and execute them during installation. I generally include a dumb little VB6 program that installs my program workbook as an add-in.
Jon: I assume the VB6 is for creating the proper registry entries?
J-K,
You don’t need to be MVP in order to get free stuff ;)
I use Visual Installer 2006 for all my setups (including .NET/VSTO solutions) from SamLogic (Swedish company). Unlike SetUpFactory I only need to add one single line to install add-ins and one single line to uninstall add-ins.
What looks attractive with SetUpFactory is the way it works with license numbers and registration. So let us know what Your impression are when it comes to this part.
Kind regards,
Dennis
“I also use Inno Setup, which as Mike points out is a very capable piece of free software. I don’t know much about its scripting, but the help file is pretty good, and they have a decent forum on their site. Inno does some scripting within the setup file itself, and it also allows you to include script or exe files and execute them during installation. I generally include a dumb little VB6 program that installs my program workbook as an add-in.”
Unbelievable, I have today!, just done the very same thing – only that the VB6 exe installs the adding by automating an excel instance and using the addin object – i was thinking about posting the whole lot on my web site. I will read J-K article first, but if Mike a Jon would like share their code i could make it a bit more holistic?
I did once start to write a class to work with the reg and install VBA addins, but it got to complex!
I will read what J-K has to say tomorrow – to drunk right now!
Excellent – i think i have a installing fetish ;-)
Dennis: Just two lines of script, that is sweet.
Their site seems to be in Swedish only. Does the package also come in Swedish?
Price is right so it seems, at 140 or so.
My first SetupFactory (v4) came free fullversion on a PcPlus coverdisc. It was really great, so I bought version 5, which is also great. But back then it was a $30 purchase or something, I can’t believe that version 7 ($495) is 1500 % better…
J-K,
Unfortuntately it’s still only available in Swedish, i e the UI and the helpfile. We have discussed to translate it to English but the major aspect that holds us back is the number of installation software in English already available. The costs involved to translate it by a professional translater and to promote are indeed a lot.
Kind regards,
Dennis
Mike / Jon,
Do you have any sample or tutorials for Inno Setup that you can share?
Thank you,
Luis
Does anyone know of a product to handle intallation, activation adn registration of Excel add-ins?
Thanks
John G