The links below guide you through the common tasks you will need to do in order to build an XLL.

Creating an XLL+ project

Creating an XLL+ project in Visual Studio .NET or Visual Studio 2005.

Describes how to use the XLL+ AppWizard to create a new project in Visual Studio .NET or Visual Studio 2005.

Creating an add-in function

Creating an XLL+ add-in function

Describes how to use the XLL+ Function Wizard to create a new Excel add-in function.

Arguments and results

Passing vector arguments

This walkthrough describes how to use the XLL+ Function Wizard to pass vector arguments from Excel to an add-in function.

Returning a vector result

Describes how to return a one-dimensional array argument (a vector) from an add-in function.

Adding a matrix argument

Describes how to add a two-dimensional array argument (a matrix) to an add-in function.

Returning a matrix result

Describes how to return a two-dimensional array argument (a matrix) from an add-in function.

Value Lists

Describes how to restrict an argument to a limited set of values, like a C enumeration. Shows how to make these values appear in a drop-down list within the Excel Formula Wizard.

Object Handles

Discusses how to represent objects in Excel cells, as handles. Describes the various features of handles that XL+ supports.

XLL Add-ins Window

Showing the XLL Add-ins window

Describes how to show the XLL Add-ins window inside Visual Studio.

Deployment

Deploying an XLL

Discusses any additional steps required when deploying an XLL to a user's machine..

Function Wizard Features

Grouping multiple arguments into a single Excel range

Describes how to use the Function Wizard to create an add-in function that accepts and decodes multiple arguments in a single range, so as to reduce the total number of arguments to a function.

Improving performance by adding a results cache

Demonstrates how to use the Function Wizard to cache the results of any expensive calculation so that the results are instantaneous the next time the function is called with the same arguments.

Excel Features

Setting cell values

Describes how to change values directly in cells, other than by returning values from worksheet functions.

.NET

Importing a .NET Assembly

Describes how to import a .NET assembly, and automatically generate XLL add-in functions from its public methods and properties.

See Also

Samples and Walkthroughs | Sample applications | Walkthroughs | Example code | Frequently Asked Questions