Hi all,

This post is aimed at those who have 'experimented' with the new
XL2007 Menu and are familiar with the 'Custom UI Editor'. I have very
little knowledge of XML

For those interested (and did not know) MS XML Notepad is available
for download, free of charge, at the following link.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

I found it really useful for creating XML to customise the ribbon and
add menu controls. There is a tree view showing the nodes where you
add / delete tabs, groups, buttons, comments etc. On the right hand
side you simply add your description in plain english. A seperate tab
(XSL Output) converts the entries into XML inserting the relevant
characters (<---text--) and does all the indentation.

If you copy the 'customUI.xsd' schema file from the 'Custom UI Editor'
you get the added benefit of Intellisense to ensure that you only
apply valid attributes etc. Validation and error checking is carried
out as you type.

To add the schema:

1) Open XML Notepad 2007
2) View
3) Schemas
4) File
5) Add schemas
6) Locate the file 'customUI.xsd' and click on Open

As always there appears to be a downside in that you cannot attach the
XML to an XL file directly from XML Notepad. (I think you should be
able to do it via the XSLT Location / Transform facility but l have
not worked it out yet. Any info gratefully received.) You need to save
the XML file and apply to the XL file using the 'Custom UI Editor'

Hope this is useful. All feedback gratefully appreciated.

Regards

Michael beckinsale