Need help writing a C++ DLL for VB / Excel 2003 using Code::Blocks

Hi,

I have been having some problems trying to write a simple C++ DLL for use with VB in Microsoft Excel 2003. For some reason VB is not calling the DLL function correctly - can anyone help me with this?

For reference, this is my C++ code, which compiles just fine (I am using Code::Blocks, and the example is taken from "Financial applications using Excel add-in development in C/C++", 2nd edn, by Steve Dalton):

Main.h:

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Main.cpp:

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The DLL is saved as MDA.dll, and this is the associated VB script, which is supposed to load the DLL and call the function:

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When I try to use the formula =Get_C_Sytem_Time(0) on a spreadsheet, it enters the VB function, but does not call the C++ function in the DLL - instead it returns a #VALUE! error.

I am not sure (i) whether VB is unable to find the DLL, (ii) if the functions have not been exported correctly and are therefore not visible (iii) if I have made some other coding/compiler settings error.

Can anyone possibly help with this? If I can get this working, then I will have confidence to go ahead and build something more complex.

Thanks very much in advance,

Sabbir.

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sarahman thanks for posting resolution - can I ask if you found any good resources on this topic ? Compiling add-ins in C is something I'd love to learn to do but I suspect it's beyond me...

It is possible to write xlls for Excel directly in C/C++ using Code::Blocks.
If your goal is to expose your C/C++ functions to Excel and you're using VBA for boiler plate code then generally using xlls is a more preferable approach.

You can see a demo of creating an xll with Code::Blocks here:

Creating a C++ XLL with Code::Blocks & MinGW

Moreover if you're using Visual Studio :

Creating a C++ XLL with Visual Studio

Creating a C# XLL with Visual Studio

Creating a hybrid C++/C# XLL with
Visual Studio (Professional)

Debugging a C# XLL with Visual C# Express

The software demonstrated in the clips can be downloaded here xlw-4.0.0b0 and its completely free.

XLW also supports the creation of xlls in VB.NET

A's Dad