SOAP Toolkit + Vista + Excel 2007 + Call Web Services = Impossible

Well I wouldn't say impossible ... just not supported.

I had a conversation with a client that asked "Where do I get the latest SOAP toolkit for Vista?".   I had to politely say "We don't support the SOAP Toolkit anymore."  Which was followed by "Well how do I call a web service from VBA in excel?".   The short answer is "you migrate to managed code!" and use Visual Studio 2005 Second Edition (VSTO) or the new Visual Studio 2008 Excel Workbook project.

 Everyone that does Excel "programming" should be using managed extension excel workbooks and discontinue using macros or VBA for development like web service calls.   Managed code gives you much more flexibility and support.

It is as easy as (almost) ...

1. Open Visual Studio 2008
2. Create a New Project
3. Select tye Office type/Excel 2007 Workbook
4. Add your bits and components to the workbook
5. In the (.cs or .vb) code behind, put in standard web service calls referencing System.Web and System.Web.Services, web references, etc
6. Enjoy a happy coding experience

Like to know your thoughts, but thought I would just write a little about my experience ...

Comments

• Anonymous
  January 02, 2008
  PingBack from http://geeklectures.info/2008/01/02/soap-toolkit-vista-excel-2007-call-web-services-impossible/

• Anonymous
  January 02, 2008
  Well, In an AJAX World, I wouldn't say "you don't" : you still can use the old way, but we recommend you to migrate. Just check for example: http://www.tushar-mehta.com/publish_train/xl_vba_cases/vba_web_pages_services/index.htm

• Anonymous
  February 20, 2008
  Hi, I'm in a middle of a project in which I'll require to access Web Services from VBA. Yr solution seems to be the best I found, but it's   not easy for an unexperienced guy like me. Can you pls elaborate a little bit more point 4 & 5 of yr answer ? Or, at least, point to me something I could read to get a deeper knowledge. Thanks a lot. Miguel