How To : Create Visual Studio Add-ins

How To : Create Visual Studio Add-ins

There are two different Add-in project types: Visual Studio and Shared

Visual Studio Add-ins vs. Shared Add-ins

A Visual Studio add-in can be loaded into both Visual Studio and the Visual Studio Macros IDE. Conversely, a Shared add-in can be loaded only into Microsoft Office applications such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Visio, and Microsoft Excel.
Also, each type offers a different set of options. For example, the Visual Studio Add-in Wizard allows you to:

• Create a command bar user interface (UI) for your add-in,

• Define when the add-in loads, and

• Insert information into the Visual Studio Help About box.

The Shared Add-in Wizard only allows you to:

• Specify whether the add-in loads when the host application (that is, the Office application) loads, and

• Specify whether the add-in is available to all users of the computer or only the person who installed it.

In short, create Shared add-ins for use in Office applications, and create Visual Studio add-ins for use in Visual Studio.

How To : Create Visual Studio Add-ins

First let’s create new visual studio addin project.

Add Name and Description to your Addin

When you successfully create you new project build the solution

Close Visual Studio and Reopen.
You will notice that MyVisualStudioAddin is placed in the “Tools” menu.
(The Smiley is a default icon by Visual Studio)