Excel add-ins fail to load
Introduction
Lately (I wrote this page on August 17, 2016) I've been getting reports from people complaining that they can no longer use add-ins. In this article I describe the problem and a solution.
The problem
Even though an add-in has been "installed" into Excel using the Add-ins dialog its userinterface does not show. This is that dialog:
As you can see, some add-ins are checked. But sometimes the user-interface of an add-in fails to display. In fact, the add-in file will not open in Excel at all, even if you try from Windows Explorer, or from File, Open from within Excel. Without any error message.
The cause
A recent Office Security update has caused any file downloaded from the internet (so this includes add-ins) to be marked as Blocked. Even if those files were in a zip container, they are marked as blocked. And Excel will simply not open them.
Solution
Unblock the files! Like so:
1. Copy the file from the zip file to any folder
2. Right-click the file and choose properties:
3. Click the Unblock button:

Other resources
If you have a folder full of blocked files, this page describes a way to unblock all of them using Powershell.
And a great article by fellow-MVP Jon Acampora: Excel Add-in Ribbon Disappears After Installation.
This article describes the mechanics of the problem very well: http://www.howtogeek.com/70012/what-causes-the-file-downloaded-from-the-internet-warning-and-how-can-i-easily-remove-it/
Comments
Showing last 8 comments of 14 in total (Show All Comments):Comment by: king_faisal (10/1/2017 1:03:12 AM)
https://www.zbrainsoft.com/Features.html
Comment by: James Witherspoon (12/26/2017 7:57:51 PM)
Comment by: Jan Karel Pieterse (12/27/2017 11:24:58 AM)
What happens if you launch Excel first (from its shortcut)?
Comment by: Doug Hesketh (2/8/2018 9:45:56 AM)
Comment by: Phil Sousa (3/16/2018 10:12:24 PM)
Comment by: Jan Karel Pieterse (3/17/2018 1:36:08 PM)
You're welcome!
Comment by: Dan Kelly (4/2/2018 10:12:17 AM)
I was trying to add the JKP Name Manager add-in. Tried unblocking on the file properties, adding the add-in location as a trusted location and still nothing.
Later, I found out that Excel decided to put the Name Manager addin in the Formulas tab as a separate group. Didn't think to look there.
Comment by: Jan Karel Pieterse (4/3/2018 9:56:56 AM)
The NM manual mentions where to find it in the user interface, this manual is part of the download containing the add-in :-)
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