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How to Re-enable DataSnipper in Excel

The DataSnipper ribbon has disappeared from Excel. Follow these steps to restore it — covers disabled add-ins, missing installation, COM add-in reactivation, .NET issues, and add-in conflicts.

In rare cases, the DATASNIPPER ribbon stops appearing within Excel. Excel can detect add-ins that slow down performance and disable them automatically. Follow the steps below to get back to snipping.

These steps are for a missing or disabled DataSnipper add-in. If your ribbon is visible and by “Assistant” you mean Excel Agents, select the Excel Agent icon on the DataSnipper ribbon in Excel, as shown in the public Excel Agents walkthrough. A visible ribbon or recent DataSnipper version does not by itself confirm feature access for your account. If the icon is unavailable, your DataSnipper administrator or representative can confirm access. For a different feature, its name or the task you want to perform helps identify the appropriate access guide.

Step 1: Re-enable DataSnipper

  1. Click File at the top left of Excel.

  2. Click Options.

  3. Click Add-ins.

  4. In the Manage drop-down, choose Disabled Items and click Go.

  5. Locate the DataSnipper Excel Add-in in the list.

  6. Click Always enable this add-in. DataSnipper will be re-enabled.

Excel Options showing Disabled Items , select DataSnipper and click Always enable this add-in

Step 2: Installation issue

If DataSnipper does not appear in your Add-in list at all, it may not be installed. Contact your IT department about the installation of DataSnipper. You can also refer to How to Install DataSnipper for full installation steps.

Step 3: Re-activate Add-in

  1. Click File > Options > Add-ins.

  2. In the Manage drop-down, choose COM Add-ins and click Go.

  3. If the checkbox next to the DataSnipper add-in is cleared, click it to select it, then click OK.

COM Add-ins dialog , locate DataSnipper in the list

COM Add-ins , enable the DataSnipper checkbox and click OK

Step 4: Load Behavior issue

If activation returns a Load Behavior error, record the exact message. A missing or damaged runtime is one possible cause, not a diagnosis from that message alone. For current DataSnipper installation requirements, have IT verify .NET Framework 4.8 and the Visual Studio 2010 Tools for Office Runtime, version 10.0.60828 or later. Follow the installation guide for the supplied DataSnipper package.

If the required components are already correct and loading still fails, keep the error and available version details for the next diagnostic step. Avoid repeated reinstallations or manual folder cleanup until the fault has been identified.

Example of a Load Behavior error in Excel

Step 5: Conflict with another Add-in

If all previous steps have not resolved the issue, DataSnipper may be conflicting with another add-in.

  1. Click File > Options > Add-ins > COM Add-ins > Go.

  2. Uncheck all add-ins except DataSnipper, then click OK.

  3. Restart Excel. Your DataSnipper tab should now be visible.

COM Add-ins , all other add-ins unchecked except DataSnipper

Only DataSnipper checked in the COM Add-ins dialog , click OK then restart Excel
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