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Generating the "ACBA-Mapping" Add-In

Background

This Add-In is designed to map the underlying structure of an Excel worksheet. It. provides the means of reviewing the way that a worksheet operates both in terms of its layout and the relationship between blocks of formulae.

The program for the Add-In can be downloaded from the link 'ACBA-Mapping'. Please read the following description of the process before attempting to activate it. 

Generating 'ACBA-Mapping'

The 'ACBA-Mapping' link will download the Add-In file to your personal Downloads folder. The File Explorer icon on your Task Bar, is the entry point.

From your TaskBar

Clicking this will open File Explorer. You want the Downloads folder - encircled in green.

File Explorer normally opens to the 'Quick access' panel in the first instance.

The Downloads folder is usually ordered youngest to oldest. So 'ACBA-Mapping' should be right at the top.

The Downloads Folder

'ACBA-Mapping' contains active code, which will have been disabled during the Download process to protect your computer from malicious viruses. 

The code must be enabled if the mapping process is to become functional. Click the Properties icon on the Home ribbon (encircled in the image above) and choose 'Properties' from the dropdown list. This will generate a dialog form - shown below.

The Properties Dialog

The Unblock box (shown above encircled in green) must be ticked.

Where to store the Add-In

In theory you can run code files from any directory on your hard disk (including the Downloads folder), but Microsoft provides a special folder for your Excel Add-Ins. Excel monitors that folder and allows the user to activate and deactivate his add-ins, at will, from the Developer tab. This is a good place to store 'ACBA-Mapping'.

However, Microsoft does not make it easy to find. The following instrctions will guide you through the process, if you need it.

  1. Open a new window in File Explorer .- go to the File tab and select -> Open new window
  2. In the new Explorer window select 'Hard disk (C:\)' from the left hand list.
  3. Work down the directory tree until the Address Bar reads > This PC > Local Disc (C:\) > Users > User (the directory User may replaced by your name or a shortened version of it).
  4. At this point click inside the Address Bar it will change to read 'C:\Users\User'.
  5. After User (or your name) add a back slash '\'.
  6. You will be offered a selection of subdirectories to choose from.
  7. Select 'C:\Users\User\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft'.
  8. You will be presented with another list of subdirectories.
  9. Select 'AddIns' - normally the first one.
  10. Go back to the 'Downsloads' window and move 'ACBA-Mapping' from there to the 'AddIns' window

Ready to 'Activate'

The Add-In file is now in the right location, but will not activate automatically unless you instruct Excell to do so. Go to the 'Developer' tab on the Ribbon - see below. 

Now click the Add-Ins icon. This will generate the Add-Ins interface form.

Only now are you ready to activate the 'ACBA-Mapping' by clicking on it. Even so, Microsoft Excel wants to make doubly sure that you really mean to activate the code.

If you wish to use the Mapping software, you must 'Enable Macros'.

Where is the 'Map and Review' software?

On activating 'ACBA-Mapping' you will notice an extra tab has been introduced into your Excel Ribbon. It appears between the 'VIEW' and the 'DEVELOPER' tabs and is called 'ACBA-Mapping'.

Initially, the ACBA-Mapping appears mostly inactive.

Most of the Ribbon buttons appeared greyed out (inactive). This is intentional. You cannot create a map or any other analysis until the system has generated a linked workbook in which to store the map. Both parent file and map file are always hyperlinked to each other in both directions.

Rather than clutter up the directories of your working files, all MAP files are stored in a separate directory under your 'My Documents' folder. It is called '\ACBA Mapping\MapFiles\'.

Checking your version of 'ACBA-Mapping'

The most recent versions of the 'ACBA-Mapping' software have an 'About Me' icon within the Ribbon.



This opens a form giving details about the software, including the version number and the date of creation - see the image below.


Access to Help

There is a discussion group dedicated to providing a forum for help and information - Excel - Cell Mapping. I recommend you join the group.

Alternatively, you can email me directly from the Stephen Allen link within the form.

Acknowledgements

Experts in Excel have offered their advice and I am very grateful for this. My thanks go to Patrick O'Beirne (Systems Modelling), Jan Karel Pieterse (JKP Application Development Services) and Hans Hallebeek (HC & TS).

Spreadsheet Risks

Spreadsheet errors and inconsistencies is a subject that is of concern by professional developers as well as amateurs. The European Spreadsheet Risk Interest Group (EuSpRIG) considers the problems from an academic and professional perspective. The following links provide access to the EuSpRIG website and discussion forum.


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