Problem debugging a Visio COM add-in in Visual Studio.NET 2003

[Martin Krimpelstätter]

I've written a COM add-in for Visio 2003 in VB.NET using the Visual Studio
..Net Extensibility Project Template. After building and installing the add-in
via the setup project generated automatically by the Extensibility Wizard the
add-in is loaded as intended when Visio starts. The OnConnection-method is
called and the add-in properly handles a MarkerEvent-event raised by the
QueueMarkerEvent add-on.
When I try to debug the add-in using Visual Studio, Visio is started but the
add-in isn't called. After I tried to debug the add-in, it is displayed as
deactivated in the COM add-ins dialog box in Visio and can't be activated
again. Visio only calls the add-in again after I have reinstalled the COM
add-in.
Does anyone have an idea how I can persuade Visio to call my add-in when
debugging and not to deactivate it? I have written a COM add-in for Word too,
and I've no difficulties when debugging it in Visual Studio.

 

[Chris Roth [ Visio MVP ]]

I've had this problem, and of course can't remember exactly what to do, but
this should get you going again.

Some way, god knows how, I discovered that in the Help > About dialog for
Visio, there is a "Disabled Items..." button at the bottom. You can get your
add-in running again by going here.

But that will just get to being disabled again if you don't fix the problem.
If memory serves, there were bugs in my OnConnect procedure, but I can't
remember what the heck I was doing wrong. Perhaps you've already fixed this?
At worst, you can put in a high-level Try Catch block right in the OnConect
method to keep the add-in from crashing...

--

Hope this helps,

Chris Roth
Visio MVP

 

[Martin Krimpelstätter]

It worked!!!!!!!
I was able to re-enable my add-in in the Help > Info > Disabled Items dialog
and I can now debug it with Visual Studio.
I can hardly believe, that this little, well hidden button kept me from
doing something productive for about two days.
Thank you very much.

Best regards
Martin