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      Excel to Excel Bridge

     Overview 
    The Process IT Development Excel to Excel Bridge connects instances of Microsoft Excel running on two or more machines.

    The Excel to Excel Bridge uses DDE as its interface to Excel, and transfers the data over the network using UDP.

     
     Setup 
    The application is set up using an XML file on each machine. This XML file is located in the same directory as the application executable, and has the same name as the machine.

    For example, the following file, MachineA.XML, is the configuration file for MachineA:

    MachineA.XML

    <?xml version="1.0"?>
    <ExcelUDPBridge>
    <LicenseKey>Demo License</LicenseKey>
    <Licensee>Demo</Licensee>
    
    <LocalWorkbook NewExcelInstance="false">C:\Program Files\Process IT Excel Bridge\Test.xls</LocalWorkbook>
    
    <UdpConnection LocalPort="9001" RemotePort="9002">MachineB</UdpConnection>
    
    <DataTransfer>
    	<RemoteServer>MachineB</RemoteServer>
    	<FromLocalSheet>Sheet1</FromLocalSheet>
    	<ToRemoteSheet>Sheet2</ToRemoteSheet>
    	<Cell Destination="R1C5">R1C1</Cell>
    	<Cell Destination="R2C5">R2C1</Cell>
    	<Cell Destination="R3C5">R3C1</Cell>
    	<Cell Destination="R4C5">R4C1</Cell>
    	<Cell Destination="R5C5">R5C1</Cell>
    </DataTransfer>
    
    <DataTransfer>
    	<RemoteServer>MachineB</RemoteServer>
    	<FromLocalSheet>Sheet2</FromLocalSheet>
    	<ToRemoteSheet>Sheet3</ToRemoteSheet>
    	<Cell Destination="R1C4">R1C1</Cell>
    	<Cell Destination="R2C4">R2C1</Cell>
    	<Cell Destination="R3C4">R3C1</Cell>
    	<Cell Destination="R4C4">R4C1</Cell>
    	<Cell Destination="R5C4">R5C1</Cell>
    </DataTransfer>
    
    </ExcelUDPBridge>
    
    
    The following file is the configuration file for MachineB:

    MachineB.XML

    <?xml version="1.0"?>
    <ExcelUDPBridge>
    	<LicenseKey>Demo License</LicenseKey>
    	<Licensee>Demo</Licensee>
    
    	<LocalWorkbook NewExcelInstance="false">C:\Program Files\Process IT Excel Bridge\Test.xls</LocalWorkbook>
    
    	<UdpConnection LocalPort="9002" RemotePort="9001">MachineA</UdpConnection>
    
    	<DataTransfer>
    		<RemoteServer>MachineA</RemoteServer>
    		<FromLocalSheet>Sheet1</FromLocalSheet>
    		<ToRemoteSheet>Sheet2</ToRemoteSheet>
    		<Cell Destination="R1C5">R1C1</Cell>
    		<Cell Destination="R2C5">R2C1</Cell>
    		<Cell Destination="R3C5">R3C1</Cell>
    		<Cell Destination="R4C5">R4C1</Cell>
    		<Cell Destination="R5C5">R5C1</Cell>
    	</DataTransfer>
    
    </ExcelUDPBridge>
    

     UDP Ports 
    As can be see above, each connection uses one UDP port on each machine. In the example we have used port 9001 on machine A and port 9002 on machine B.

    The ports can be the same - for example port 9001 could be used as the local port on both machines.

     Constraints 
    Each local sheet can be set up to transfer cells to one (and only one) remote sheet on the other PC. In the example above, the following mappings are configured:

    • MachineA, Sheet1, Cells A1:A5 -> MachineB, Sheet2, Cells E1:E5
    • MachineA, Sheet2, Cells A1:A5 -> MachineB, Sheet3, Cells D1:D5

    However it would NOT be possible to specify the following:

    • MachineA, Sheet1, Cells A1:A5 -> MachineB, Sheet2, Cells E1:E5
    • MachineA, Sheet1, Cells B1:B5 -> MachineB, Sheet3, Cells D1:D5  Not OK
    The problem with this is that local Sheet1 is already configured to send data to Sheet2 on the remote machine.

     
     Installation 
    The Excel to Excel Bridge is installed using a Microsoft Installer package: Download

    The application will run in demonstration mode for 30 minutes, after which it has to be restarted.

     
     Licensing 
    The Excel to Excel Bridge is licensed on the basis of a pair of PCs. A license can be purchased via Paypal:

      Paypal
    To allow us to create the license key, you will need to specify the user name along with the names of the machines that will the running the Excel to Excel Bridge. You can enter this information via Paypal or by sending an email to the tech support email address below.

     
     Problems or Questions 
    Please get in touch by telephone or email in the event of any problems with the installation or operation of the Excel to Excel Bridge.
    Tel: +47 99724942
    Alternatively, from 0800 to 1800 Western European time: +47 55995483
    Email: