FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

You can check your version of number of QETools in Excel/QETools.  (Re)launch Excel.  QETools will start automatically when Excel is launched.  In the Excel Ribbon menu select QETools07 » QE Tools Help » About QE Tools.  The version number will be listed near the top of the form.

The QETools menu may not be visible in the Excel Ribbon area even after installation.  There are three principal reasons why this may happen — The information below will guide you to diagnose and repair these issues as well as two additional rare reasons for QETools to not work.  If the problem persists then please Contact QETools as this may be a sign of a bug in QETools.

1.  Is QETools installed on your computer?

This is a basic question but it’s the first step to rule out all potential causes for QETools to not work.  QETools may have been inadvertently uninstalled or removed by an Administrator of your computer during maintenance.  Depending on your version of Excel there will be either 1 or 2 files to search for:

<insert table of files to look for>

You can search for files in Windows Explorer (Start xxx Search xxx For Files or Folders…).  Did you find the file(s) that you expected to find based on your version of Excel and the table above?

Note:  You may find multiple copies of the file(s) if you have more than 1 version of Excel installed on your computer.

2.  Is QETools in the correct folder to start automatically when Excel is launched?

You’ve found the file(s) in Step 1, but the file(s) need to be in a specific directory to start automatically when Excel is launched.  The QETools installer is supposed to place files in a specific directory called “…/XLStart/”.  Files in this directory start automatically when Excel is launched.  There is a different /XLStart directory for each version of Excel.  Thus, you will need to verify that the QETools files is are in the directory corresponding to your version of Excel.  The specific location on your computer depends on where Excel/Office was installed but is normally located in:

C:/Program Files/Microsoft Office/OfficeXX/XLStart

or

C:/Program Files (x86)/Microsoft Office/OfficeXX/XLStart

where OfficeXX corresponds to your version of Excel.

<insert Excel version table>

Did you find the file(s) within the XLStart directory corresponding to your version of Excel?

3.  Are Excel’s macro security setting blocking QETools from starting?

If you’ve found QETools to be in the proper location it may be that Excel is blocking QETools from starting based on the macro security settings within Excel.

Did you verify that the macro security setting will permit the QETools add-in to run?

4.  Is QETools blocked from running on my computer? (rare)

It is possible, though rare, that QETools has been inadvertently added to a list of “Untrusted Publishers.”  For example, a user may have chosen to “not trust” QETools if/when Excel displayed a window asking if certain add-ins should run.  You can search the list by using Internet Explorer (you cannot used Safari, Chrome or Firefox for this task).

<add instructions and screen snapshots>

Did you verify that QETools is not among the “untrusted publishers”?

5.  Has there been a fatal crash of Excel? (rare)

QETools may be blocked from running if Excel had a fatal error causing it to close (or, it can be that Excel “closed” when a laptop’s battery dies).  There is a security measure whereby active add-ins are disabled to protect Excel from malicious code.  This is extremely rare and, to this point, we have not found QETools to be responsible for crashes.  Still, fatal crashes of Excel can block QETools from running.

<add instructions to check this in Excel>

Please Contact QETools if you are still having difficulties in spite of your efforts to resolve the conditions listed above.

The QETools menu may not be visible in the Excel Ribbon area even after installation.  There are three principal reasons why this may happen — The information below will guide you to diagnose and repair these issues as well as two additional rare reasons for QETools to not work.  If the problem persists then please Contact QETools as this may be a sign of a bug in QETools.

1.  Is QETools installed on your computer?

This is a basic question but it’s the first step to rule out all potential causes for QETools to not work.  QETools may have been inadvertently uninstalled or removed by an Administrator of your computer during maintenance.  Depending on your version of Excel there will be either 1 or 2 files to search for:

<insert table of files to look for>

You can search for files in Windows Explorer (Start xxx Search xxx For Files or Folders…).  Did you find the file(s) that you expected to find based on your version of Excel and the table above?

Note:  You may find multiple copies of the file(s) if you have more than 1 version of Excel installed on your computer.

2.  Is QETools in the correct folder to start automatically when Excel is launched?

You’ve found the file(s) in Step 1, but the file(s) need to be in a specific directory to start automatically when Excel is launched.  The QETools installer is supposed to place files in a specific directory called “…/XLStart/”.  Files in this directory start automatically when Excel is launched.  There is a different /XLStart directory for each version of Excel.  Thus, you will need to verify that the QETools files is are in the directory corresponding to your version of Excel.  The specific location on your computer depends on where Excel/Office was installed but is normally located in:

C:/Program Files/Microsoft Office/OfficeXX/XLStart

or

C:/Program Files (x86)/Microsoft Office/OfficeXX/XLStart

where OfficeXX corresponds to your version of Excel.

<insert Excel version table>

Did you find the file(s) within the XLStart directory corresponding to your version of Excel?

3.  Are Excel’s macro security setting blocking QETools from starting?

If you’ve found QETools to be in the proper location it may be that Excel is blocking QETools from starting based on the macro security settings within Excel.

Did you verify that the macro security setting will permit the QETools add-in to run?

4.  Is QETools blocked from running on my computer? (rare)

It is possible, though rare, that QETools has been inadvertently added to a list of “Untrusted Publishers.”  For example, a user may have chosen to “not trust” QETools if/when Excel displayed a window asking if certain add-ins should run.  You can search the list by using Internet Explorer (you cannot used Safari, Chrome or Firefox for this task).

<add instructions and screen snapshots>

Did you verify that QETools is not among the “untrusted publishers”?

5.  Has there been a fatal crash of Excel? (rare)

QETools may be blocked from running if Excel had a fatal error causing it to close (or, it can be that Excel “closed” when a laptop’s battery dies).  There is a security measure whereby active add-ins are disabled to protect Excel from malicious code.  This is extremely rare and, to this point, we have not found QETools to be responsible for crashes.  Still, fatal crashes of Excel can block QETools from running.

<add instructions to check this in Excel>

Please Contact QETools if you are still having difficulties in spite of your efforts to resolve the conditions listed above.

Great news!  You do not need to uninstall the Demo version prior to installation of the Full version.  You can enter the Product Validation Code inside of Excel/QETools and “unlock” QETools (the “demo period” warning message will go away and QETools will be fully functioning without expiration).

1.  Visit www.QETools.com Purchase QETools.  After payment you will get an on-screen confirmation which will show the purchase details as well as the Product Validation Code(s) to unlock QETools.  Or, check your email for a message with the purchase details and there too you will have the Product Validation Code(s) for unlocking QETools.
2.  (Re)launch Excel/QETools Launch Excel if it is not already open.  You will get a warning message indicating that QETools will expire in X days.  Click OK to continue	INSERT PICTURE
3a.  Download the DEMO Installer Click on the Download button to save the installation file to your computer.
4.  Browse to Your Downloads Folder Files downloaded from the internet normally go your Downloads folder.  Open Windows Explorer and browse to Downloads (normally in C:/Users/<YourUserName>/Downloads).
5.  Begin the Installation Double click the .exe installation file to begin the installation process.
6.  Continue the Installation… Read and agree to the License Agreement.
7.  Continue the Installation… The installer will specify the default location to install QETools.  Optionally, you can choose to modify the installation location.
8.  Continue the Installation…
9.  Continue the Installation… Optionally, you may choose to view the ReadMe file after the installation completes.  The ReadMe file will open up in Microsoft Word.

Potential Problems:

• QETools is designed to install without needing “Administrator Rights” but some corporate environments require the assistance of IT to complete the installation.  It may also be necessary to have IT “unlock” QETools by entering the Product Validation Code (run Excel as Administrator).  If you enter the Product Validation Code but you continue to get the “demo period” warning upon (re)launching Excel then you will need the assistance of IT to “unlock” QETools.  Use the instructions above to enter the code once Excel has been launched by an Administrator.

1.  Visit www.QETools.com Click on the Demo QETools button.
2.  Enter Your Information Enter your contact information where you want to receive the download link (you can also download using an on-screen link on the next page).
3a.  Download the DEMO Installer Click on the Download button to save the installation file to your computer.
4.  Browse to Your Downloads Folder Files downloaded from the internet normally go your Downloads folder.  Open Windows Explorer and browse to Downloads (normally in C:/Users/<YourUserName>/Downloads).
5.  Begin the Installation Double click the .exe installation file to begin the installation process.
6.  Continue the Installation… Read and agree to the License Agreement.
7.  Continue the Installation… The installer will specify the default location to install QETools.  Optionally, you can choose to modify the installation location.
8.  Continue the Installation…
9.  Continue the Installation… Optionally, you may choose to view the ReadMe file after the installation completes.  The ReadMe file will open up in Microsoft Word.

Possible Errors:

1.  QETools can be installed on many computers even without “Administrator Rights” however some corporate environments will require assistance from IT when installing.  An error “…failure to open file <FileName> for writing…” is an indication that Administrator Rights are required to install.  Please request assistance from your IT department in installing QETools.

2.  QETools will fail to install if Microsoft Excel is not found on your computer.  Please contact Support@QETools.com if you have Excel installed yet the QETools installer fails.

Access to QETools upgrades is available to Members who purchased QETools “with upgrade access” so long as the membership is active.  Go to the Member Upgrades area where there will be a download link to the latest version.  You can install a new version over an old version without the need for a Product Validation Code.  Simply download the .exe installation file to your computer, double click to start the installation, follow the on-screen prompts.  You will have to relaunch Excel to see that the new version has been installed.

Downloads from the internet usually go to your Downloads directory.  This is frequently located on your computer at C:/Users/<YourUserName>/Downloads.

<insert screencast to search for the installation file>

QETools requires a Product Validation Code during installation.  You can install an update over a previous version and you will not be prompted for a Product Validation Code.  However, if you are switching computers or installing on a home computer then you will need to input the code to have a fully-functioning installation.

<insert form for QETools to look up your code>

You password can be changed by updating your Member Profile.

QETools does not force you become a “member” to purchase QETools. Membership is distinct from any past purchase history and purchases are independent of each other in our records. Not forcing membership simplifies the buying and checkout process but it also limits our ability to have an easy “show me my history” button. Please contact QETools if you’d like to know your purchase history. We will check to see if “access to upgrades” is included among your purchases and advise you accordingly of how to create a login or what your username and how to access and/or reset your password.

Fill out the form below and we’ll retrieve your purchase record(s) including any information about Membership.  You may receive multiple emails in response to this question depending on the number of purchases you’ve made in the past.

Please fill out the form below.  We will review you past purchases and notify you of your username.  Upon receiving your username please return to the Member Upgrades area and log in.  There is a “Forgot Password?” link should you need to reset your password.

Fill out the form below and we’ll respond with your username. For more detailed inquiries please Contact Us.

The logon form for the Member Upgrades area has a “Forgot Password?” link.

<insert picture>

Please go to the Member Updates area to reset your password.