XLA name prefixed to formula

[Rudi]

Hi,

This morning we have had an issue in a spreadsheet where the add-in name is affixed to the formula. We have checked that the add-in is functional (which it is) and tried to update formulas with F2 and Enter...but the name just stays there. If we delete it, it returns an #REF error. Below is feedback from the Vendor which I do not agree with. The workbook is not corrupt. Can you provide any opinions on why the xla name is prefixed and if you have any other suggestions to fix it. TX

Vendor Feedback:

The ".xla!" bit in the formula is a path that pointing to the VBA code, under normal circumstances it won't show up. Just like when you open up a new spreadsheet and run Starmine formulas, the "xla!" bit won't come up. We believe there's a file corruption when you created this BACK.XLSX file which caused excel needs to point to VBA to get the data. However, we are uncertain of what's causing such behavior;

[HansV]

What happens if you uninstall the add-in, then reinstall it?

[Rudi]

One of our technicians did this. It did not make any difference?!

[HansV]

Does the problem occur in one workbook only, or in all workbooks?

[Rudi]

An interesting thing about this issue is that if a formula is "severed" from the add-in, it displays the FULL path of the add-in prefixed. this one does not show the path to the add-in, just the name of the add-in. Any ideas why this is so?

[Rudi]

Does the problem occur in one workbook only, or in all workbooks?

Only in this workbook. We have a two week old backup that is not doing this?

[HansV]

I would tend to agree with the vendor - if the problem occurs in one workbook only, and not in other workbooks, including a backup of the problem workbook, the problem resides in the workbook, not in the add-in. Whether you call that corruption is a matter of semantics.

[Rudi]

Is there a way to reconnect the workbook to the source add-in.
I ask because in normal cases, when you delete the prefixed path Excel gives a #NAME error meaning the formula does not exist.
In this issue it gives a #REF error meaning that the name exists, but the reference to the add-in is lost. If we can somehow reconnect the workbook to the add-in..this would possibly work?? I am thinking in terms of a linked table manager if you think in Access. Get excel "re-linked" to the add-in. Any code or options that you are aware of?

[HansV]

Does the problem workbook contain a defined name "starmine"?

[Rudi]

Yes there is a named range called starmine? Must we delete it?

[HansV]

That name probably causes the conflict. Try renaming it.

[Rudi]

You might be onto something here Hans....I'm waiting in suspense to get feedback!! :) :)

[Rudi]

Resolved!!!

That was the cause...name ambiguity.....
Cheers Hans!!!

[Jan Karel Pieterse]

I know this isn't useful now because the root cause of your problem wasn't linking, but I thought I'd mention this anyway:

To your question on relinking to the addin: You could go into the Edit, links dialog and click change source.

Also, see:
http://www.jkp-ads.com/articles/fixlinks2udf.asp

[Rudi]

Thats an excellent reference to know about when this issue reoccurs...
TX Jan Karel!