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Adam Russell
Posts: 2
Joined: 2004-08-24
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I ran into the same problem as this Topic http://www.add-in-express.com/forum/read.php?FID=1&ACTION=FORUM_SUBSCRIBE&TID=5242&MID=26101&phrase_id=1633587
The cause (and thus the solution) was exactly the same: I had deleted a task pane from my project but the TAddinModule.TaskPanes collection has an item that points to the non-existent task pane
this came about because I had added the task pane in the New Com Addin wizard, rather than by adding TadxExcelTaskPanesManager to the Addin Module (as described in the Developers guide: Step #11 ?Â?Ð?ã Adding Custom Task Panes in Excel 2000-2013 etc)
I was then having problems with code that was meant for the TadxExcelTaskPanesManager and not TAddinModule.TaskPanes collection. I ended up deleting the TaskPane created in the wizard and then following the steps outlined in Step #11 of the Developers manual.
to be honest I had no idea that the module even had a TAddinModule.TaskPanes collection.
So my question is: what is the difference between these two sets of task panes? what are the pros and cons of the different task panes. And which one is recommended for future use? |
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Andrei Smolin
Add-in Express team
Posts: 18823
Joined: 2006-05-11
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Hello Adam,
There are two task pane types:
- Custom Task Panes (CTP) from Microsoft; these are supported by the following applications of Office 2007 and higher: Access, Excel, InfoPath, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, as well as by Project 2010 and higher.
- Advanced Office Task Panes by Add-in Express; these are available for COM add-ins targeting Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word (Office 2000 and above).
I cannot advise which task pane to use because the panes provide different object models and look-n-feel (see http://www.add-in-express.com/add-in-net/office-task-panes.php). Add-in Express panes rely on the window architecture of the host application. We saw a number of changes in the window architecture of different Outlook versions e.g. you cannot use Add-in Express panes to customize the Calendar folder in Outlook 2010-2013.
Inserting your control into the window system of the host application is possible due to a number of compromises. And this is why you can find a lot of cases when this or that control (or its functionality) doesn't work correctly on CTPs or Add-in Express panes. In case of our panes, we always try to provide a solution or workaround ASAP. In case of Microsoft panes, well, their cycles are a way lengthier.
We don't have sample projects related to CTPs because a CTP is simple: no methods, properties are obvious, just two events. If you do need such a sample, please give me more details about its functionality.
Andrei Smolin
Add-in Express Team Leader |
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Andrei Smolin
Add-in Express team
Posts: 18823
Joined: 2006-05-11
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Adam,
In the manual, we have these chapters related to custom task panes:
- Sequence of Events When an Office 2007-2013 Custom Task Pane Shows up
- Adding an Office 2007-2013 Custom Task Pane to an Existing Add-in Express Project
Not sure if this helps.
Andrei Smolin
Add-in Express Team Leader |
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Adam Russell
Posts: 2
Joined: 2004-08-24
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thanks Andrei.
just to close this out:
1) Custom Task Panes are the components managed in the TAddinModule.TaskPanes collection; these are the Task Panes created in the "New Item" Wizard for COM Addin
2) Adx Advanced Task Panes are managed via ADX drop-in components (e.g. TadxExcelTaskPanesManager)
is this correct?
tia,
a. |
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Andrei Smolin
Add-in Express team
Posts: 18823
Joined: 2006-05-11
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Exactly.
Andrei Smolin
Add-in Express Team Leader |
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