Search code examples
excelinstallationsetup-project

Setup project to install an Excel Add-In. How to do it?


It's been a long time since I needed to create a setup project.

However, now I need to create a setup project that will install an Excel add-in.

I can check if the Excel is installed by a ‘Registry search’ (by checking the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Excel\InstallRoot\Path registry value) and it works, as shown in the images below.

Excel Registry Search

Launch condition properties

But, unfortunately, when I try to use the registry property [OFFICE_INSTALL_PATH] as the default location for the [INSTALLDIR] property (as shown below) the installer, when executing, goes haywire.

INSTALL DIR illustration

The installer thinks that the path is in a network location.

Installer thinking that the path is on a network location

As it can be seen I'm using the default Setup project.

Is it possible to do what I want here?


Solution

  • After much tinkering, I went back to the drawing board and ended up using NSIS.

    It provides a much better installer solution.