Executable installer to load excel workbook on multiple machines

[noslenwerd]

Not sure if this is too off topic:

With the help of many of this forum I have developed a process using excel and word, along with html files to create a customizable PDF write up. There are a lot of absolute references, and a lot of moving parts.

I need to share this process with 24 of my peers, and would rather not have to remote in to copy/paste everything. Has anyone ever worked with some sort of executable or installer to deploy a project like this? If so, any tips on where to go?

 

[Jeffrey Mahoney]

Have you ever worked with Batch files (.bat)? Commands like:
Copy file1.xlxs c:\temp\file1.xlxs (to copy a file)
MD c:\temp\hello (create directory)

Excel macros can create folders and copy files

You could create a zip file with all the folders and files and have them extract the files from the proper root folder

There are many installers out there, but you may find that they require permission from the I/T department because of the executable file.

 

[noslenwerd]

Hi Jeffrey,

No I have not worked with them before.

I could just have them use a zip file, but the problem is there are sub-directories that need to stay in place and not be overwritten.

If I were to go the installer route, where would you recommend I start?

 

[Jeffrey Mahoney]

Sorry, It's been awhile since I needed on. I found that the learning curve was too steep to bother with them.

I recommend you trying a zip method and see if it can work for you. Batch files are very flexible. Using XCOPY, you can choose to overwrite files selectively.

Good luck