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				                                 Bob Frisch                				 
                					 
                     
                
                
                
                                 
                 
                
                
                                 
                                        Posts: 4 
                                                        Joined: 2006-07-07 
                                                
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                Hello all.
 
 I am writing an Excel add-in that manipulates spreadsheets using a form.  I am looking for advice on how to best implement using Add-In Express.  I would like the integration between the form and the spreadsheet to be interactive.  For example, I would like to be able to have the ActiveCell in the sheet to move when the user drags the form, I would like to be able to drag-drop form items (currently in a listview) onto the worksheet, I would like to be able to drag-drop from the worksheet to the form.
 
 I need to support Office 2000+ and can do the development in Visual Studio 2003, 2005 or even VB 6/VBA. 
 
 I?Â?Ð?ém not sure whether these are possible using Add-In Express or vba.  Do you have any suggestions?
 
 In its current form our application is a standard add-in for Excel (.xla file) and Word (.dot file).  We are adding Outlook functionality in our next release.
  
 A basic overview of our product is that it allows users to do their work in Word and Excel then transfer the data to a centralized database for reports, analysis, etc.
 
 Primary functions are:
  
 1.  Mapping Fields
  
 Our tool allows users to map fields in their documents to fields in our database.  The user selects a menu option and the form appears.  The form is basicaly a listview of fields.  The user selects a listview item, activates a cell and clicks a button to map the field.  This tool is a vba form, but I want to move it to a .Net form.
  
 2.  Importing/Exporting Data
  
 A menu option allows the user to import/export to the database.  Currently we use MS SOAP 3.0 SDK, which is being deprecated and needs to be moved to .Net.  Our add-ins communicate with a webservice to perform these functions.
  
 3.  Attaching Documents to DB Items
  
 From within Word/Excel/Outlook, we need to be able to upload documents (using a webservice) to our website.  The user will select a menu item which displays a form.  The form will allow the user to search for the item (usually a commercial mortgage loan) and upload the document to it.
  
 4.  Client/Server side feedback.
  
 A form connected to the web service will let the user know the status of the upload and data transfer.
 
 Any feedback would be greatly appreciated
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				                                 Sergey Grischenko                				 
                					 					 
                
                
                
                 Add-in Express team                 
                 
                
                
                                 
                                        Posts: 7233 
                                                        Joined: 2004-07-05 
                                                
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                Hi Bob.
 
 The most of your requirements can be implemented using the Excel Object Model and the basic functionality of .NET classes. In case of using Add-in Express you will get a tool that will allow you to concentrate on the add-in functionality and not on the manipulating Office toolbars/controls.
 Add-in Express supports Office 2000 and later. It provides all events that you need to interact with the host application.
 To manipulate spreadsheets you can use a 'stay-on-top' form. As you probably know that .NET forms support 'drag-and-drop' operations and you will manage to integrate the form and Excel worksheets. 
 We have a little example that shows on how you can use 'drag-and-drop' functionality to integrate Excel and .NET forms. You can download it here:
 http://www.add-in-express.com/projects/dragndropaddin.zip
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