21: Working with Microsoft Excel

This Section of the Window-Eyes manual provides information on using Window-Eyes with Microsoft Excel.

Versions

Before we begin discussing the tremendous features that Window-Eyes brings to Microsoft Excel, it is important that we take a few minutes and talk about what version of Excel you need to be running to ensure that you have the best possible experience. To start, you will need to have either Microsoft Office 2000, Microsoft Office XP (sometimes known as Office 2002), Microsoft Office 2003, or Microsoft Office 2007. Any version of Office prior to Office 2000 will not support the latest Window-Eyes Office features, meaning you will not be able to experience the new Window-Eyes Office support. The bottom line is that you need to be using Excel 2000 or greater. Any version of Excel prior to Excel 2000 will not be supported in terms of the new Office support; previous versions of Excel will, however, function as they always have with Window-Eyes.

Although Window-Eyes will support Excel 2000 and Excel 2002, we recommend using Excel 2003 or Excel 2007, as these versions contain more support for accessibility than any previous version.

Service Packs and Updates

Once you have a supported version of Excel installed, you will need to make sure that you have all available service packs and updates installed and functioning properly. To make sure that you are running the latest updates available, please visit http://office.microsoft.com. Select the "Check for Updates" link for additional information.

Security Warning

When using the default Excel security and add-in settings, Window-Eyes will be able to implement all of the new Microsoft Excel features automatically; No user interaction should be required. If, however, you have modified any of the Microsoft Excel security or add-in settings, you may be prompted with a security warning when running Excel. If you are presented with the security warning dialog referencing GW Micro, Inc. and the Window-Eyes Add-In (WEOffice.dll), simply TAB to the "Always trust macros from this publisher" check box, and press the SPACE BAR to check it. Than TAB to the "Enable Macros" button, and press ENTER. If you have enabled the "Always trust macros from this publisher" option, you may verify that the Window-Eyes Office features are installed by doing the following (Note that these steps are for Excel 2003. The steps may vary for previous versions of Excel):

1.	In Excel, press ALT-T for Tools

2.	Press O for Options

3.	Press S until you hear Security

4.	Press ALT-S for Macro Security

5.	Press RIGHT-ARROW to the Trusted Publishers control tab

6.	TAB once to the list of Trusted Publishers.

7.	Press G to select GW Micro, Inc.

If you have the "trust all installed add-ins and templates" option enabled, Window-Eyes office support will be enabled, but GW Micro will not be listed in the trusted publisher list.

If GW Micro, Inc. is not listed as one of your trusted publishers, please review your security settings to make sure that you are not specifically blocking Microsoft Excel add-ins.