dim -

Do I need to own all the versions which I want to test in? <

You need to have access to all appropriate versions of Excel, or you need to
have reliable external testers who have such access. I develop my add-ins
mostly in Excel 97 SR2, and I test in all subsequent versions of Windows
Excel using versions available on my many Windows computers.

Do I need to test in different windows versions as well? <

My add-ins run entirely within the Excel environment, so I usually do not
bother to explicitly test with different versions of Windows. If my add-ins
did use file commands or other not-just-inside-Excel features, then I would
test in different versions of Windows. An exception for me is that I did
test Excel 2007 in Windows Vista (in addition to Windows XP), primarily
because for the 2007/Vista setup I have to write explicit user guide
installation instructions to help the user get through the various extra
security features.

What about people running Excel on a Mac...can I test for that without
buying a Mac? <

Once again, you'll need access to a Mac or a reliable someone with a Mac.
Keep in mind that the version of VBA in Mac Excel X and Mac Excel 2004 is
older than the version of VBA on current Windows Excel (which is another
reason why I still develop with Excel 97). Also, I used a Mac to design
separate dialog boxes that look somewhat acceptable to Mac users. An example
is the initialization code behind the user form in the Better Histogram
add-in (free and unprotected), available from the Histogram page at
www.treeplan.com. The histogram add-in detects whether it's running on Mac
or Windows and then uses appropriate settings for the dialog box. (The next
version of Mac Excel (2008) will not support VBA add-ins.)

How do the MVP's usually test their programs...do you or your company own
all versions for testing? <

I work at three different locations, each with at least one complete
development system, and I've accumulated quite a few desktop and portable
computers over the years. So, yes, I do own all versions for testing.

- Mike Middleton
http://www.DecisionToolworks.com
Decision Analysis Add-ins for Excel



"dim" wrote in message
...
Hi folks,

Im writing my current program in Excel 2002 with VBA. Its still in the
early days but I intend to incorporate some MS Word elements aswell.

One of my books puts Excel useage at: [Excel 97 - 10%] [Excel 2000 - 45%]
[Excel 2002 - 40%] and [Excel 2003 - 5%]. Obviously Excel 2007 is out now,
and I can only assume that useage for it is still low in proportion.

I'm wondering when the time arrives, how I can test my program is newer
versions of Excel than 2002....and possibly even test it in 2000. Do I
need
to own all the versions which I want to test in?

Do I need to test in different windows versions aswell?

What about people running Excel on a Mac...can I test for that without
buying a Mac?

How do the MVP's usually test their programs...do you or your company own
all versions for testing? Thats not economically viable for me at this
point.

Thanks.