Excel Application: Compatability Issues

[jim may]

I've been asked to write an Excel application to be used in a one-day Trade Show environment. The App, an xlsm file (written by me in Excel 2013 - PC) will need to be installed on numerous (130) Trade Show participant's Laptops (Both PC based and MAC's - I'm sure).

I'm at the stage of wondering both the limitations and/or the "thin-ice" I might get myself into by venturing out into the use of Controls (Forms or Active-X), as well as Macro compatibility between the PC's and the Mac's.

The App basically would be an Order System (to be used by the 130 Sellers represented) and at day end each order file would be transferred into a Master (the Trade Show Sponsor consolidated) order file, for subsequent processing...

Based solely on the above info, what issues do you see that will require concern, attention or care in moving forward?
Any tips appreciated.

Thanks,

Jim

 

[RoryA]

ActiveX doesn't work on Macs at all. There are also a lot of differences (some small, some less so) between Mac Excel VBA (assuming they don't use Excel 2008, in which case there's no VBA at all) and Windows Excel VBA.

 

[jim may]

Rory, Thanks. You have verified what were "rumors" to me. so...
If no ActiveX, what about User Forms? Same answer? --

But Rule1 (for sure): All MACs brought to Trade Show must have Excel Version 11 (with updates) already installed.

 

[RoryA]

You can use userforms as long as they are modal (modeless won't work) and as long as you only use controls from the MSForms library. There are still quite a few quirks though, so really you would need access to a Mac to test!

 

[jim may]

Fortunately, I do have access to a Mac. But, if it works perfectly on my Mac Test machine -- that's not a guarantee that it will work on all the other say 39 Mac's brought in; Right?
But 10%, 50% or 90% (which one) of the chances it will? Again, Rory thanks for your input -- it is VERY helpful. Jim