Introduction

An add-in extends the functionality of Microsoft Office programs. An add-in is typically a third-party program you can purchasesome are sharewareand download from the Web. You can find a list of add-ins for Microsoft Office on the Microsoft Office Online Web site. Before you can use an addin, you need to load it first. After you load an add-in, the feature may add a command to a Ribbon tab or toolbar.

If you want to customize Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 and create advanced presentations, you'll need to learn how to work with the Microsoft Office 2007 programming language, Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). VBA is powerful and flexible, and you can use it in all major Office applications. To create a VBA application, you have to learn VBA conventions and syntax. Office 2007 makes VBA more user-friendly by providing the Visual Basic Editor, an application that includes several tools to help you write error-free VBA applications. The Visual Basic Editor provides extensive online Help to assist you in this task.

A practical way to use VBA is to create macros. Macros can simplify common repetitive tasks that you use regularly in PowerPoint. Macros can reside on the PowerPoint Quick Access Toolbar for easy access. If a macro has a problem executing a task, the Visual Basic Editor can help you debug, or fix the error in your macro. VBA may be a difficult language for the new user, but its benefits make the effort of learning it worthwhile.

An ActiveX control is a software component that adds functionality to an existing program. An ActiveX control supports a customizable, programmatic interface for you to create your own functionality, such as a form. Excel includes several pre-built ActiveX controlsincluding a label, text box, command button, and check boxto help you create a user interface.