This repo demonstrates using the xllify-build action to package some simple custom functions from main.luau
This is a template repo so you can create a copy of it and have a ready to build custom function XLL ready to download in about a minute (depending on how fast the runner your build lands on is - it can vary.)
Slightly more sophisticated demos are available in the xllify-demo repo. You can download a built XLL straight from the releases page.
No need for any installation or Windows development setup. Just a browser (and Microsoft Excel for Windows, if you want to download and run your masterpiece.)
This is not a recommended replacement for a development environment, but it's enough to give you the gist without installing anthing.
A video of the process is here: https://youtu.be/dYObyXQCrKs
Some familiarity with the GitHub Actions UI is helpful but, briefly:
- Use this template to create your own repository
- Go to the Actions tab, select xllify Starter and click on Run workflow
- This will build an XLL
- Find the workflow run and observe the build, should take about 40 seconds - this'll count towards your free GitHub Actions minutes (consumed at 2x)
- When the build completes, click on Summary and scroll to the artifacts section. You can download the xll, it's attached!
- Unblock the downloaded file and move it out of your Downloads folder. Desktop is fine. More info: https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/topic/excel-is-blocking-untrusted-xll-add-ins-by-default-1e3752e2-1177-4444-a807-7b700266a6fb
- Double click the .xll to open in Excel
- You'll see a dialog box that the add-in has started
- In a new sheet add
xllify.Demo.Hello()to a cell
- Edit main.luau line 10 and change
"Hello there, "to"Bonjour, "(or whatever you like) - Repeat the process of building, downloading an running the XLL
- Admire your XLL prowess