XLL+ Class Library

Overview of classes

The XLL Plus library contains a variety of C++ classes for use in writing Excel add-ins. All of these classes have been designed to simplify the use of Excel programming objects, but only a few are needed by programmers building the standard run of add-in functions.

It is possible to make productive use of the library with a simple understanding of just two classes: CXlOper and COper.

The table below summarises the principal C++ object classes available in the library.

ClassDescription
COperAn argument sent by Excel to an add-in function.
CXlOperA result sent back to Excel by an add-in function.
CXllAppThe object representing the add-in library itself. It can be used to store data that is global to the library.
imtx<T>A two-dimensional array of numbers, booleans or strings.
CXlArrayAn array of floating-point numbers passed by or returned to Excel.
CXlMenuA run-time menu added to Excel's main application menu bar.
CXlToolbarA run-time toolbar added to Excel's main window.
CXlDialogA dialog displayed using Excel's native dialog mechanism.
CXllFinderA tool for finding and replacing the contents of cells.
CXllComOffers an interface for calling Excel's COM automation interface.
CXllPushAppBase class for multi-threaded add-ins which automatically update formula cells.
CXlFuncsA class containing static methods for calling Excel worksheet functions.
CXlMacrosA class containing static methods for calling Excel macro functions.
CXlOperCacheA class which caches the results of add-in functions, preventing unnecessary recalculations.
CXllFnA representation of a single add-in function.
CExcelWndAn MFC window class that provides access to the Excel application window.
CXlRefA reference to a rectangular block of cells.
CXlHandleStore<T, S>A store of objects, which can be accessed from add-in functions by their numeric "handle".
CXlFormulaRefreshA utility class, which can be used to force recalculation of any cell whose formula contains a specified function.