Word addin not loaded when application is started with VBA from within Excel

Anonymous
2019-05-17T11:20:39+00:00

I have an add-in (dotm template) which is stored in Word's Startup folder. Among other things it contains a customized ribbon.

This works fine, no problems when Word is started from the menu, double clicking a document etc. The add-in is loaded and the customizations in the ribbon are visible.

However if Word is started from VBA within another application (Excel or Access) the customizations in the ribbon do not show. If I check in the Developer tab the Add-in is listed and is selected as well.

Even if I unselected it (unload) and select (load) it again from the interface, the customized ribbon does not show.

This worked fine in Office 2010 with the exact same Excel VBA code and the same add-in.

Why does it not work in Office 2016? 

Version 1904

Build 11601.20178

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

42 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2019-05-17T23:56:54+00:00

    Was that using the code that I gave to start Word?

    Here's a video of the process running here

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aPryShN22KvoI1C-WuOfbJOp2GG\_rKEO/view?usp=sharing

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2019-05-17T23:10:14+00:00

    Hi Doug,

    I downloaded your Merge Tools Addin (MergeTools - 20180219.dotm) and saved it in the Startup folder. I deleted my own add-in, so your file was the only add-in to load.

    • I started Word manually and the Merge Tools tab at the end of the ribbon was visible.
    • I closed Word and run the code from Excel. Unfortunately same result, no Merge Tools tab in the ribbon.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2019-05-17T22:20:21+00:00

    HI Doug,

    Yes, I created the customization with the Custom UI Editor.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2019-05-17T22:17:47+00:00

    This is what I see (the Merge Tools tab from my Merge Tools Add-in) when Word - Version 1904 (Build 11601.20178) is started by using the following code in Excel

    On Error Resume Next

    Set wdApp = GetObject(, "Word.Application")

    If Err Then

        bstartApp = True

        Set wdApp = CreateObject("Word.Application")

    End If

    On Error GoTo 0

    wdApp.Visible = True

    How was the ribbon customization created?  Was it done by the use of the Custom UI Editor?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2019-05-17T15:52:43+00:00

    Thanks for your assistance and the crosspost Charles!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments