Microsoft Excel is undoubtedly one of the most powerful spreadsheet programs available in the market today. With its user-friendly interface and various unique features, Excel has become the go-to tool for all financial and data analysis needs. But what happens when Excel add-ins get in the way? Sometimes, these tiny programs can cause significant issues, be it performance issues or problems with other programs installed in your computer.
While Excel add-ins can enhance your overall experience, it’s always a good idea to know how to delete them when no longer required. In this blog post, we will give you a step by step guide on how to delete add-ins in Excel and other related information.
Video Tutorial:
Why You Need to Delete An Add-in in Excel
Excel add-ins can cause a host of problems if they’re not appropriately installed or if they don’t work correctly. Some of the most common reasons why you should consider deleting an add-in include:
- Performance issues: Some add-ins can slow down Excel’s performance and affect the user experience.
- Conflict with other installed programs: Some add-ins can cause compatibility issues with other installed programs on your computer.
- Security reasons: You might want to delete an add-in that you’re unsure about since some add-ins can contain malware or viruses that can harm your computer.
Method 1: Using the Excel Options Menu
One way to delete add-ins in Excel is to use the Excel Options menu. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
Step 1: Open Excel and click on the "File" tab on the top left corner of the screen.
Step 2: Click on "Options" on the left sidebar.
Step 3: In the Excel Options window, select "Add-Ins" located in the left-hand sidebar.
Step 4: In the Manage drop-down menu, select "Excel Add-Ins" and click on "Go."
Step 5: Uncheck the add-in you want to delete and click on "OK."
Step 6: Close Excel and reopen it to ensure that the changes have taken effect.
Pros:
- Quick and easy to execute.
- You can toggle the add-in back on by following the same steps and checking the box again.
Cons:
- This method might not work if the add-in is corrupted or locked out by your company’s IT administrator.
- It may only remove the add-in but not delete its files from your computer.
Method 2: Using the Control Panel
If the first method does not work, you can try using the Windows Control Panel to delete the add-in. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Click on the "Start" button on your taskbar and select "Control Panel."
Step 2: Select "Programs and Features" and click on "Uninstall a program."
Step 3: In the list of installed programs, locate the add-in you want to delete, right-click on it and select "Uninstall."
Step 4: Follow the uninstallation wizard to complete the process.
Pros:
- The add-in is completely deleted from your computer.
- The Windows Control Panel is a reliable tool to delete programs, and the process is easy to execute.
Cons:
- You might not be able to delete the add-in using this method if it isn’t listed in the programs list.
- You might need to search your computer for the files to ensure that they’re deleted entirely.
Method 3: Using a Third-Party Uninstaller
If you’re having trouble uninstalling an add-in using Methods 1 and 2, you can try using a third-party uninstaller tool, such as Revo Uninstaller or IObit Uninstaller. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Download and install the third-party uninstaller of your choice.
Step 2: Open the uninstaller and locate the add-in you want to delete.
Step 3: Follow the uninstallation wizard to remove the add-in.
Step 4: Restart your computer to ensure that the changes have taken effect.
Pros:
- Third-party uninstallers can detect and delete all files and registry entries associated with the add-in, ensuring that it’s entirely removed from your computer.
- You can do a more thorough cleaning using the tools provided by third-party uninstallers.
Cons:
- You’ll need to download and install the third-party tool, which can take time and might not be worth it if you only plan to remove one add-in.
What to Do If You Can’t Delete an Add-in in Excel
If you’ve tried all three methods and none of them worked, here’s what you can do:
- Restart your computer and try again using one of the methods above.
- You can try deleting the add-in in Safe Mode or from a different user account, if possible.
- If the add-in is locked out by your company’s IT administrator, you might need to contact them to remove it for you.
- You can also try searching for the add-in’s files on your computer and manually deleting them, but this is only recommended if you’re technically savvy and know what you’re doing.
Bonus Tip to Delete Excel Add-ins
If you want to ensure that all add-ins are completely removed from your computer, you can use the free Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant for Office 365. This tool helps you diagnose and resolve technical issues related to Office programs, including Excel. Here’s how you can use it to remove add-ins:
Step 1: Download and install the Support and Recovery Assistant from the official Microsoft website.
Step 2: Launch the tool and follow the on-screen instructions to diagnose the issue.
Step 3: If the tool detects the add-in, select it and follow the instructions to remove it.
Step 4: Restart your computer to ensure that the changes have taken effect.
FAQs About Deleting Add-ins in Excel
Q: Can I restore a deleted add-in in Excel?
A: Yes, you can restore a deleted add-in by following the same steps you used to delete it initially and checking the box next to the add-in’s name.
Q: Does removing an add-in in Excel affect other installed programs?
A: Removing an add-in in Excel shouldn’t affect other installed programs unless the add-in is causing a conflict with them.
Q: Can I delete an Excel add-in on my Mac computer?
A: Yes, you can delete an Excel add-in on a Mac computer by following similar steps to those mentioned in this blog post.
Q: Can I re-install a deleted add-in in Excel?
A: Yes, you can always reinstall deleted add-ins in Excel by re-downloading or re-installing them.
Q: Are there any free tools I can use to delete add-ins in Excel?
A: Yes, you can use the free Support and Recovery Assistant tool provided by Microsoft, as mentioned in this blog post.
Final Thoughts
Excel add-ins can enhance your overall experience with the software, but it’s essential to know when and how to delete them when they are no longer required. In this blog post, we’ve given you three methods to delete Excel add-ins and other important information related to add-in deletion. Make sure you follow the steps carefully and read the pros and cons before selecting the method that works best for your situation. With the right approach, you can easily delete Excel add-ins and keep your computer and data safe and secure.