Best Practices

Installation Best Practices

The SpotlightXL and Spotlight for Office Add-In installations are distributed in the Microsoft ClickOnce form and Installshield MSI form. InstallShield MSI form comes as either 64-bit or 32-bit.

ClickOnce Best Practices

ClickOnce allows the user to run an installation program one time to install SpotlightXL, SpotlightPPT, or SpotlightWord and thereafter to receive updates to these Add-Ins automatically.

This format automates the process of updating the Add-Ins each month. Instead of uninstalling the old Add-In, downloading the new Add-In, and then installing the new Add-In each month, users set it up once and then allow the updates to be installed automatically going forward. When a new version of Dynamic Planning is released, the latest Add-Ins will be available in ClickOnce. When users start Excel, Spotlight will look for a new Add-In and then automatically uninstall the old Add-In and install the newly available Add-In.
This format is automated and does not need any local admin privileges.

ClickOnce is recommended for all users.

You can also find installation instructions for the Office 365 application in the following resources:

• Microsoft Office Customization Tool Overview
• Change the Microsoft 365 Apps Update Channel for Devices in your Organization Deploy Office
• How to Revert to an Earlier Version of Office - Microsoft Support

If you need further assistance, please reach out to your IT team.

In Practice: To Check the Release Version of the Office 365 Application

1. Open Excel and navigate to the File.
   
   
2. Click Account.
   
   
3. The Product Information, including the release version, will be displayed.
   

InstallShield MSI Best Practices

When a new version of Dynamic Planning is released, the latest Add-In will be available in InstallShield MSI, and users can download it. New users can run it immediately. Existing users must use the Control Panel to uninstall the previous release before running the new InstallShield MSI file.

This format is controlled by the user and is manual. It requires local admin privileges on the machine to uninstall and install the Add-In.

You should install the SpotlightXL or Spotlight for Office version (64-bit or 32-bit) that matches your Microsoft Windows version.

Best Practice Examples

Example 1 Basic ClickOnce Installation

User A installs the ClickOnce Add-In in May-24. Then when we release the June-24 Add-In, User A does not have to do anything because Excel automatically installs the latest Add-In. This option is recommended for all users.

Example 2 Basic InstallShield MSI Installation

User B installs the InstallShield MSI Add-In in May-24. Then when we release the June-24 Add-In, User B has to uninstall the May-24 Add-In with Control Panel and then install the June-24 Add-In.

Example 3 Switch from InstallShield MSI to ClickOnce Installation

User C already has the SpotlightXL Add-In installed from previous months, but wants to automate the Add-In installation going forward. User C has to uninstall their Add-In using Control Panel, and then install the May-24 ClickOnce Add-In.

Example 4 Switch from ClickOnce to InstallShield MSI Installation

User D installs the ClickOnce Add-In in May-24 and gets the latest Add-In in June-23 automatically. If the user does not want to get the latest Add-In automatically in July-24, then User D can uninstall ClickOnce, uninstall the current Add-In, and then install the June-24 InstallShield MSI Add-In so that the process will be manual going forward.