Expression Web 4.0 Add-ins - Installing Expression Web 4 Add-ins

A new extensibility model will allow you to create add-ins much more easily using html, css, javascript and a manifest file (xml). The add-in developers are rolling out new add-ins

Easily create an Add-in for Expression Web 4 with the Add-in Builder by Anna Ulrich

Creating an Expression Web Add-in by Jim Cheshire

Jim Cheshire, the author of Microsoft Expression Web 4 In Depth, has included a complete section (several chapters) on building add-ins for Expression Web 4 using the new JavaScript add-in model. When you register the book at informIT you get access to a PDF copy of the book which contains the bonus material. The bonus material will be available as a separate EBook in early February as a stand-alone eBook entitled Creating Microsoft Expression Web 4 Add-ins.

This is the only complete reference for developing add-ins in Expression Web 4 currently available. Not only do these chapters walk you through the creation of an add-in, but they also contain valuable reference information such as the internal IDs of each and every menu item and panel in Expression Web 4 so that you can place menu items and panels exactly where you want them. It also includes a complete reference on the entire add-in object model and API, complete with example code and tips. These chapters will be available hopefully in early February as a stand-alone eBook entitled Creating Microsoft Expression Web 4 Add-ins.

What is an Expression Web Add-in?

An Expression Web Add-in, is an external software package that provides additional or enhanced functionality within Expression Web 4.

How to Install Add-ins?

NOTE: Many of the commercial add-ins come as an executable file. Once you have downloaded the add-in, double click the .exe file and follow the instructions for that particular add-in.

Step 1: Launch Expression Web 4.0. Go to 'Tools' on the menu and select 'Add-Ins.'

Step 2: In the 'Manage Add-ins' dialog box click the 'Install' button.

NOTE: If this is the first Add-in you have installed, the list will not yet be populated.

Step 3: Browse to the location on your computer where you downloaded the Add-in. Click 'Open.' The add-in will end with the file extension .xadd. The add-in will be installed.

Step 4: Once installed, you will be asked if you want to enable the add-in. The screen will give you all of the information on the particular add-in you are installing. Click 'Yes.'

Step 5: If you once again click 'Tools' on the menu bar and select 'Add-ins' you will see the list has now been populated with your first add-in.

Using the Expression Web Add-ins

Step 6: Depending on the add-ins you have installed, they will be available at a number of locations. Go to 'Panels' and select the Add-in. In this case Payment Buttons for PayPal.

Go to 'Insert' and select the Add-in.

It is as simple as that.

Expression Web Free Add-ins

SlapShot for Expression Web 4 - SlapShot is based on the SnapShot panel, in that you can easily preview a page without loading a browser, however SlapShot extends the features of SnapShot by including full ActiveX support (Silverlight®, Flash®, and so on), as well as interactivity within the page (including navigation).
Expression Web Add-ins by Ian Hayes
- Copyright Notice Add-In for Expression Web V4 - This add-in creates a JavaScript based copyright notice that always updates to the current year and also creates a static notice, without the year, for the very small percentage of users that don't have JavaScript enabled.
- Sub/Sup Text Add-in for Expression Web 4 - The add-in puts two new buttons on the "Standard" toolbar for <sub> and <sup> text..
- Code Comment Add-In for Expression Web 4 - This add-in adds the comment CSS functionality and provides three new icons on the "Standard" toolbar
- Close All' Add-In for Expression Web V4 allows you to close all open pages in EW with one click. It puts an icon on both the Standard and Common toolbars
- Attach-JS - This add-in adds an item to the 'Insert' menu that allows you to automatically add a reference to a page for a JavaScript file. It lets you select the file and, if the file is outside the current web, copies it to the web when you've selected the file.
- Insert a Twitter or RSS Feed Add-in allows you to easily add a Twitter or RSS feed on your site? Note: This add-in supercedes the TwitterFeed add-in.
- WordPaste Add-in - Allows you to paste clean HTML from Microsoft Word™ documents. This add-in pastes the text and the basic HTML structure, giving a far better result than pasting via NotePad and making the job very much easier.
- HTML5 Placeholder - HTML5 adds the 'placeholder' attribute to <input> tags, allowing you to display a watermark prompt. This can be useful for form input in small spaces, where you can still have labels for accessibility hidden outside the viewport. Most HTML5 browsers support this but if the page is viewed in an older browser, the watermark is lost.
- WinPop add-in for Expression Web V4 - WinPop creates 'accessible pop-up windows'. By accessible I mean that they can be read by screen readers and continue to work if a user has JavaScript turned off. It has all the usual browser options for the pop-up windows and can create the pop-up link from text, existing links or images.
- Meta Tag snippets for xWeb V4 SP2 - adds two groups of snippets for normal meta tags - Meta and Robots Meta Tags.
Insert Bing Map Add-in by Mike Calvo
Insert a You Tube Video - Add-in to insert You Tube videos on your web page. Available from the Expression Gallery.
Flickr image browser - This add-in allows you to browse and link to photos from YOUR Flickr account.
Expression Web Add-ins by WebAssist (all are now free)
- Payment Buttons for PayPal. Create, add, and manage PayPal buttons for your products.
- Search for Bing - Search for Bing gives Expression Web users the ability to integrate a powerful Bing site search into any website. Whether you are new to Expression Web or an experienced developer Search for Bing is a great way to add search to your website. It is easy-to-use, quickly implemented and will provide your website users with the ability to find what they are looking for, fast. Example: Search Expression Web Tutorials NOTE: Your site needs to be already indexed for this to work.
- Maps for Bing - Quickly and easily add a Bing map to your website.
Lightbox Framework Add-In for Expression Web 4 by expression extras. The Expression Extras Lightbox Framework is an Expression Web 4 add-in for creating lightbox widgets. This lightbox is based on the jQuery javascript library and the WAI WCAG 2.0/WAI ARIA ariaLightbox widget. Best of all, it’s free!

Expression Web 4.0 Commercial Add-ins

Advanced CSS Drop Down Menu Expression Web by Ajatix. You can see a sample of this menu used on my FREE Ocean Template.
Pure CSS Menu Expression Web by Ajatix - A tutorial on how to use the CSS Menu Add-in with sample templates. (This Expression Web Add-in works with all versions of Expression Web as well as Microsoft FrontPage 2003, 2002, 2000.)
Lightbox Expression Web by Ajatix - A tutorial on how to add the lightbox to your site and an example gallery. (This Expression Web Add-in works with all versions of Expression Web as well as Microsoft FrontPage 2003, 2002, 2000.)
Banner/Image Rotator by Ajatix - A tutorial on how to use the Banner/Image Rotator with examples. (This Expression Web Add-in works with all versions of Expression Web as well as Microsoft FrontPage 2003, 2002, 2000.)
Horizontal Menu Advancer by CSSMenuTools, You can see a sample of this menu with my FREE Red and Black Site Template.
Accordion Menu Advancer by CSSMenuTools
LightBox Advancer by CSSMenuTools
Vertical Menu Advancer by CSSMenuTools
SEO Tools for Expression Web 4 by expression extras. The SEO Tools for Microsoft Expression Web add-in helps you prepare your site and pages for Google, Bing, and other Internet search engines. Integrated with Expression Web, you'll have all the tools you need to help get your site and pages noticed.
SalesCart Express by ShoppingCart - A fully complete Ecommerce solution and shopping cart add-in that you invoke directly from Expression Web and the toolbar allowing you to quickly add products and build a complete online storefront. Free, fully functional 30-day trial is 100% convertible after 30 days.