How to Find the Path for Excel Add-ins Using PowerShell

Discover how to create a PowerShell script that locates the path of your custom `Excel add-in`, allowing you to easily manage supporting files.
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Find the Path for Excel-addin in Powershell

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
How to Find the Path for Excel Add-ins Using PowerShell

If you're working with Excel add-ins and need to manage associated files, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to locate the installation path of a specific add-in. This challenge can arise because the paths can differ across machines. In this guide, we'll explore how to create a PowerShell script that locates your custom installed Excel add-in, retrieves its path, and allows you to copy a supporting file to that path.

The Problem: Locating Excel Add-ins

When creating automation scripts, especially for Excel, it’s common to need access to custom add-ins. However, if you’re unaware of the installation path of the add-in, it complicates matters. Here’s what you need:

Ability to access Excel from PowerShell.

A method to search for the add-in by name or a recognizable attribute.

A way to retrieve the installation path of the add-in.

Functionality to copy supporting files to that path.

The Solution: PowerShell Script Overview

Let’s break down how you can create a PowerShell script that does just that.

1. Initialize Excel Application

First, we will create an instance of the Excel application. This is done using the New-Object command in PowerShell.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

2. Search for the Add-in

Next, we will search for our add-in using its name. You can either use the -match operator or -like with wildcards to locate the add-in effectively.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

3. Check If the Add-in Exists

After attempting to locate the add-in, we'll check if the add-in was actually found. If it is found, we can retrieve its path. If not, we will issue a warning.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

4. Copy the Supporting File

If the add-in is found, you can copy your supporting file to the retrieved path using the Copy-Item command.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

5. Clean Up Resources

Lastly, ensure that you gracefully close the Excel application and clean up any COM resources to avoid memory leaks.

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Full Script Example

Here’s the complete script bringing all the pieces together:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Conclusion

By using this PowerShell script, you can efficiently locate the path of your custom Excel add-in, ensuring that you can manage your supporting files without hassle. Remember to adjust the add-in name and file path as necessary for your specific needs. Happy scripting!