Installation Instructions

The Systems2win Excel add-in must be installed on each user's computer

Three Types of Installation

Follow the link to the instructions for your type of installation

• Trial Installation
• Licensed User Installation
• Multiple Users

If you already installed the Systems2win Excel add-in, and have any questions or issues, see FAQ's below.

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FAQ

download

Download installation files — FAQ's

How do I know if the Systems2win application has already been installed?

Systems2win has not been installed on this computer. What do I do?

Either download the free trial version, which works only with trial (not licensed) templates, or contact your IT Department to obtain and install your licensed installation file

(that starts with "S2winInstall", and ends with the file extension .EXE)

My email or browser won't allow me to download an exe file

If your IT Dept has prevented you from downloading an exe file, then respect their desire to download and install for you.

Just be sure they follow the special instructions for how to install on behalf of another user.

installation

Installation — FAQ's

protected

Dialog: Windows protected your PC

Dialog: This program might not have installed correctly

If you get this dialog message...

Just click "This program installed correctly"

password

It is asking for a password

No password is needed for installation — unless your IT Department has added password restrictions to install any exe file. Then you need to have your IT Department install on behalf of another user.

My computer won't allow me to install an exe file

You need to have your IT Department install on behalf of another user.

close

Error: You must close Excel before running the Systems2win Application installation

If Excel appears to be closed, then there is probably a background instance running.

Then CTRL+ALT+DELETE > Task Manager > More Details > Processes tab to End Task any instances of Excel.exe

Error: Not a valid Win32 application

or Error: Could not initialize installation.
File size expected = <a number>, file size returned = <a smaller number>

The EXE installation file was only partially downloaded.

Solution = download the file again.

If that doesn't work, then the problem must have been a partial upload — so contact Systems2win to re-upload the file.

no-menu

The Systems2win tab does not appear in the Ribbon bar

Possibility 1) Your Systems2win add-in was installed using an Administrator password, and an important step was skipped — to run the Systems2win-Finish-Install file.

Possibility 2) Your Systems2win add-in (somehow) got unchecked or disabled.

Do the troubleshooting steps for 'menu disappeared'.

Possibility 3) Even after running the Systems2win-Finish-Install file, the add-ins are not there (in File > Options > Add-ins)

Although the Systems2win-Finish-Install file is usually easier, there are unusual circumstances when you might need to manually activate your add-ins.

where

Where is the Systems2win installation folder?

By default, the folder where Systems2win is usually installed is C:\Program Files (x86)\zSystems2win\

In 32-bit Windows operating system: C:\Program Files\zSystems2win\

You have the choice to install the Systems2win application in any folder that you choose, but it is usually best to accept the default.

Where and how do we set up our portal — perhaps on a shared server?

Advanced set up, and personalization (for your IT Department and advanced users)

multiple

How do we install multiple users on a single computer?

After the first user has installed and Activated as usual...

Each additional user can run Systems2win-Finish-Install.xlsm
(without the need to install or activate again)

Faster installation
for a large number of users

We have a lot of users.
Is there anything we can do to make multiple installations faster and easier?

Yes. Tips for faster installation of a large number of users

upgrade

Upgrades

Any tips for installing upgrades?

Your Systems2win Leaders should complete every line item within the Multi-User Setup Checklist Instructions for your IT Department to upgrade your S2winPortal

Tips for faster installation of a large number of users

What's the difference between an upgrade and an update?

Each time that you renew Annual Maintenance or purchase an upgrade, you receive new installation files with the latest templates, containing all of the new features that have been added since the last time that you purchased or upgraded.

Free Update

At any time, you can download the latest update, to get bug fixes and improvements to the code for the Systems2win Excel add-in.

uninstall

Uninstall

How to uninstall?

IF you are uninstalling a licensed (not trial) version,
AND your license is for a limited number of seats, (not a site license for unlimited users),
AND you will NOT be re-installing on the same computer,

THEN before uninstalling, deactivate to free up your Activation Key to be available for installation on another computer.

If you have Administrator permissions, simply use...

Control Panel > Programs and Features

to uninstall 'Systems2win Application'

(and 'Systems2win Legacy' if that is also installed)

If you do not have Administrator permissions, then...

1) Run RemoveSilent.exe
(logged in as the user that has Systems2win installed - not using a different Administrator account)

You can find this file in the folder where Systems2win is installed (usually c:\Program Files (x86)\zSystemswin\ )

Or you can download this zip file: silent-remove.zip then extract the zipped files, and then run RemoveSilent.exe (logged in as the user)

2) Run the regular uninstall (using an Administrator password)

Control Panel > Programs and Features

If you use an Administrator password to uninstall without also running RemoveSilent.exe, then whenever you open Excel, you will get the error: The file S2winCom.xlam could not be found

Solution: Excel > File tab > Options > Add-ins > click the Go button then when you click Systems2win and Systems2winXLL, it will give the dialog that these cannot be found, do you want to remove them from this menu.

deactivate

How to deactivate?

Systems2win menu > Setup > Activate and Deactivate Systems2win > Deactivate your license

Version 15: Systems2win menu > Setup > Activate & Deactivate Systems2win > Next > Deactivate my license

Version 14 or lower: Systems2win menu > Setup > Activate & Deactivate Systems2win > Internet Deactivate

If you uninstalled without deactivating, then you might need to reinstall, then deactivate.

activate

Activation — FAQ's

Who needs to activate?

You do NOT need to activate if...

your initial trial period has not yet ended,
or if your company owns a site license for unlimited users.

You only need to activate after...

1. Completing your purchase
2. Requesting to extend your trial period

How to activate online?

If you have purchased your license, (you are not just extending your trial period),
then your first step is to install your licensed version. (if you haven't installed it already)

The trial and licensed installers are different. If you have the trial version installed, it will successfully activate, but you will still have the trial version.

You don't need to uninstall the trial. With Excel closed, simply install your licensed version, which will overwrite the trial.

If you accidentally activated your trial version, you don't need to deactivate. With Excel closed, simply install your licensed version, which will already be activated when you test it.

Then in the Excel Ribbon bar, select Systems2win tab > Setup > Activate and Deactivate Systems2win

then select 'Activate your license' > 'Activate Online',
then paste your Activation Key (overwriting the default trial activation key)

Your licensed Activation Key can be found in the email that delivered your installation files, and if you own more than 1 seat, it can also be found in your Systems2winInstallReadMe file.

then click the button to 'Activate'

Version 15: Click the button at the bottom of the window for 'Next' then select 'Activate my license online' paste your licensed Activation Key (overwriting the default trial activation key) then click the button to 'Activate'

Restart Excel.

Then finish installation, and test to verify installation success.

offline

Manual Activation - Offline

If you get an error after attempting to activate online,

"Your license failed to activate"

then either:

1) you are not connected to the Internet

2) your firewall is or proxy server is blocking you from activating the easy way.

Version 16 and 17...

On the computer that you want to activate...

(the one that either has no internet access, or is being blocked by a firewall)

Excel Ribbon bar > Systems2win tab > Setup > Activate and Deactivate Systems2win > Activate Your License > Activate Offline

Version 15: Excel Ribbon bar > Systems2win tab > Setup > Activate & Deactivate Systems2win > 'Next' button > Activate Offline

Paste your Activation Key

The default Activation Key is for the initial trial version. You need to replace that Trial Activation Key with your own Activation Key, which might be for an extended trial, or might be your licensed activation key.

Your licensed Activation Key can be found in the email that delivered your installation files. If you followed the tip in that delivery email, then you saved your Activation Key in a text file alongside your saved installation file - in a folder where you can find it whenever you need to install on a new computer. And if you own more than 1 seat, it can also be found in your Systems2winInstallReadMe file.

Enter your Computer Key

How to get your Computer Key

aka Computer Bound Key

With version 16 or 17, you have a choice to either:

1. Scan your QR Code (the easy way)
2. Follow the instructions below (the old way)

On the computer that you want to activate...

(the one that either has no internet access, or is being blocked by a firewall)

We are assuming that you have already followed the instructions above to Paste your Activation Key

Now... copy or write down the Computer ID (that you will need for the next step)

Then using your web browser...

(Perhaps on on the same computer, or perhaps another computer that has internet access)...

Obtain a Computer Bound Key, using this web page:

https://tinyurl.com/s2win9

On the computer that you want to activate...

Paste the Computer Bound Key, then click the button to Activate.

After successful activation, restart Excel

and then pick up where you left off with the standard instructions for installation and testing.

Activation — version 14 or lower

There is now a new activation server, so it is no longer possible to activate v14 or lower.

Contact Systems2win to get a new license key.

Error: That Activation Key has already been used

or something similar to "license already used", "That License Number has already been used"

Possibility 1) You have used all of your available activations.

Possibility 2) You are experiencing an issue with the copy protection software.
Contact Systems2win for assistance.

Bookmarks = firewall or proxy

Our firewall prevents activation of the Activation Key

perhaps with a "SOAP" or "Socket error" message, which means that the activation server cannot be contacted,
or an unknown error, which might indicate the presence of a proxy server

Things to try:

• Manually Activate Offline following the instructions above
• Add the activation URL to your firewall white hat list:

  https://quicklicensemanager.com/systems2win/qlm/qlmservice.asmx

• Contact your IT Department to see if you need to enter proxy settings

How to get past our company's proxy server?

Enter your Proxy Settings:

Excel > Systems2win tab > Setup > Activate and Deactivate > Activate > Proxy Settings

v15: Systems2win tab > Setup > Activate & Deactivate > Next button > Activate > Proxy Settings

If none of the above suggestions work, what else can we try?

Request support

sync

Sync

How to sync

How to sync the templates on your local PC with your company's master portal
(so that everyone is always using the same version master templates).

When I try to sync, I get an "unable to sync" error

Solution 1) Your IT Department may have chosen a Portal Setup Choice that doesn't support Sync.

Solution 2) Sync setup might not have been set up correctly

after

After Installation and Activation — FAQ's

Where can I find my Systems2win templates?

How to find and open your Systems2win templates

Error: You do not appear to have a valid license for this template

You are attempting to open a licensed template with a version of Systems2win that does not support that template.

Perhaps you never installed your licensed installation file?

(It won't work to simply activate a trial version with an Activation Key. You need to install the licensed version.)

xlamerr

Error: The file S2winCom.xlam could not be found

Possibility 1) You are trying to use a Systems2win template on a computer that does not have the Systems2win Application installed.

Solution: Install the Systems2win Add-in on the computer you are using.
Or use the Systems2win template on a computer that already has the Systems2win Add-in installed.

Possibility 2) You didn't finish the steps to uninstall without administrator permissions

Solution: Follow the instructions for uninstall

Possibility 3) You are double-clicking a link from your portal (using an old browser).

Solution: To open any type of document from any HTML page, you need to follow the instructions for How to find and open your Systems2win templates

Possibility 4) The Systems2win add-in might have become disabled. (See the FAQ below)

menuDisappeared

Our Systems2win menu disappeared in Excel

and/or Error: "Your trial period has expired" (when you own the licensed version)

Other possible search terms: Systems2win is missing, can't find...

1) Restart Excel.

If this does not bring back the Systems2win menu, then...

2) Perhaps the Systems2win add-in is in Excel's Disabled Items list

3) Perhaps the Systems2win add-in somehow got unchecked

File (or Office Button) > Options > Addins >

then click the Go button

Ensure that both Systems2win add-ins are checked.

Then restart Excel.

If you are using Systems2win version 11 or lower, see instructions for the old version

mismatch

Error: Type mismatch

Perhaps: Type mismatch (mxlApp_workbookopen)

Somehow... the XLL got disabled.

Solution:

Excel > File > Options > Addins
click the Go,,, button
check the box for Systems2winXLL

Or it might be in the Disabled Items:

(See the FAQ above)

legacy

I am using version 12 or higher, and can't open a template version 10 or lower

For simple templates, you can use Systems2win menu > Setup > Open a Legacy Document

but complex templates will have #NAME errors until you install the Legacy Compatibility Installer or migrate your data.

name

When we open a template — the formulas show #NAME? errors

Possibility 1) Calculations just need to be refreshed.

Solution: CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+F9

Possibility 2) The Systems2win application is not installed.

Solution: Install the Systems2win application (following the instructions at the top of this page).

Possibility 3) The XLL somehow became unchecked,

Solution: Excel Ribbon bar > File > Options > Add-ins > click the Go button > then check the box for Systems2winXLL

Possibility 4) Your .xls or .xlsm file was saved in .xlsx format (which strips all macros)

Solution: Open the original blank template, and save it in any of the other Excel file formats (that don't strip macros)

Note: This solution is relevent only for legacy templates version 12 and lower, because new templates no longer have macros, and are always in .xlsx format

Possibility 5) Excel somehow got set for manual calculation

Solution: File or Office button > Options > Formulas > Workbook calculation > Automatic

Possibility 6) You are using a legacy template, (version 10 or lower), and the Systems2win automation add-ins somehow became disabled.

Solution: Manually enable the automation add-ins.

altered

Error: This template appears altered

This message means what it says, or...

1. There might be an illegal character in the document filename.

   For example, your document file name might include a non-letter or non-number character, such as the apostrophe single quote mark (' ), or some other character which, while allowed by Windows, might cause problems with Excel. Learn more about recommended Document Storage and File Naming Conventions

2. v15 or lower, you might have deleted the 'Help' sheet or 'Template' sheet

   Solution: How to repair a damaged document

3. v15 or lower, you might have renamed the 'Template' sheet

   The 'Template' sheet is intended to remain hidden. It is the sheet that gets copied when you click the button to 'Open a Blank Sheet'. If you unhide the 'Template' sheet, and rename it, you will get this error. Solution: Email us your workbook. We will retore it back to a usable state, but you will no longer be able to use the 'Open a Blank Sheet' button on that workbook.

4. In Systems2win version 11 or lower, this message might have been falsely triggered by Microsoft's 'Protected View'.

   See solution.

I still can't find the solution to my problem

If you have used CTRL+F to search for the error code or other description of the problem, and you still can't find the solution, then that's why we offer free technical support.

Your success is important to us, too.

Also see:
 Known Issues for different versions of Excel
Old and Rare FAQs
Add-in & Portal Home Page