Office design without Modern Forms
- ✓ RibbonX / VBA editing
- ✓ Ribbon Visual Designer
- ✓ VBA UserForm Designer — classic native forms
- ✓ imageMso / custom icons
- ✓ Callback generation and diagnostics
- ✓ XML validation and editor workflow
Ribbon UI Studio
Community Edition free · PRO available
Ribbon UI Studio v4 — visually design RibbonX, VBA forms and modern Office interfaces.
Build Office add-ins in one studio: visual Ribbon design, VBA editing, classic UserForms and PRO Modern Forms. Use InstallerLab for EXE, MSI and Bundle deployment.
EExcelWWordPPowerPointRRibbonX + VBA
01Design RibbonX→02Build VBA→03Package installers
Free distribution via GitHub Releases · Windows desktop application · Formerly: Office Ribbon Editor
Ribbon UI Studio v4.0.0
From RibbonX editor to visual Office add-in studio.
v4 adds the Ribbon Visual Designer, a native VBA UserForm designer and, in PRO, Modern Forms, modern dialogs and add-in licensing management.
Ribbon Visual DesignerVBA UserFormsModern Forms · PROAdd-in Licensing · PRO
Community and PRO
Two editions, with a clear feature split.
Community keeps a strong RibbonX, VBA and native-form workflow. PRO adds the modern UI layer plus protection and distribution features.
Everything in Community + modern UI and distribution
- ✓ Everything included in Community
- ✓ Modern Forms Designer + runtime
- ✓ Modern VBA-compatible dialogs
- ✓ Add licensing to Office add-ins
- ✓ Remove add-in licensing
- ✓ Advanced packaging/protection workflow
InstallerLab required for Bundle Installer
To generate the Bundle Installer for an add-in, InstallerLab must be installed. Ribbon UI Studio prepares the add-in project and uses InstallerLab to create the Bundle Installer.
installerlab.website ↗Explore the workflow
Which add-in do you want to create?
.xlam
Get the editor
Choose the build that fits.
Official packages are hosted on GitHub Releases with a clear, versioned download history.
RecommendedLatest
Windows installer
The simplest setup for most Windows users. Includes the required runtime and adds the editor to your installed apps.
- Latest Windows installer
- See GitHub Release
- Windows
Portable package
Run directly without installation. A single portable EXE, ideal for USB toolkits or project folders.
- Latest portable EXE
- See GitHub Release
- Windows
Questions or problems?
Use the official issue tracker if you encounter a reproducible problem while installing or editing an Office file.
- GitHub Issues
- Latest
- Windows
Before you install: Close open Office documents and keep a backup before editing their custom UI.
Documentation
From file to custom ribbon in four clear steps.
- 01
Open an Office file
Start with a macro-enabled or Open XML document.
- 02
Add the RibbonX part
Choose the Office 2007 or Office 2010+ schema.
- 03
Write and validate XML
Define tabs, groups and controls, then validate.
- 04
Connect callbacks and test
Add VBA callbacks, save and reopen the document in Office.
01Installation and requirements
+
- Windows 10 or 11 and desktop Microsoft Office are required for VBA workflows and add-in creation.
- Install the application or use the portable EXE. Close Office applications before replacing files.
- InstallerLab must be installed separately to generate EXE, MSI or Bundle packages for Office add-ins.
- Enable Trust access to the VBA project object model in Office to read or write VBA modules.
02Supported files
+
- Excel: .xlsx, .xlsm, .xltx, .xltm and .xlam add-ins.
- Word: .docx, .docm, .dotx and .dotm add-ins.
- PowerPoint: .pptx, .pptm, .potx, .potm, .ppsx, .ppsm and .ppam add-ins.
- Installer packaging specifically supports .xlam, .dotm and .ppam.
03Create and edit RibbonX
+
- Open an existing file or create an Office 2007 or Office 2010+ add-in.
- Start from built-in templates or insert controls with the RibbonX wizard.
- Use Monaco autocomplete, formatting and editor themes.
- Save or Save As, and always keep a backup of the original document.
04Callbacks, icons and diagnostics
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- Generate required VBA signatures and missing callbacks automatically.
- Browse imageMso, download native icons or embed custom PNG images.
- Preview an Office-aware ribbon without opening Office.
- Diagnose XML syntax, duplicate IDs, missing callbacks and embedded images.
05Create add-ins
+
- Create .xlam, .dotm or .ppam add-ins using classic or modern RibbonX.
- A starter Ribbon and RibbonCallbacks module are generated for you.
- Read, create, rename, edit and remove VBA modules from the project tree.
- Save regular documents as macro-enabled files before generating callbacks.
06Package and protect
+
- In PRO, open a supported add-in and choose Package. InstallerLab must be installed to generate EXE, MSI or Bundle.
- A stable AppId is stored in .addininstaller for reliable upgrades.
- Optional obfuscation affects only a temporary installer copy; the original add-in stays untouched.
- PowerPoint verifies protected VBA replacement before compiling the installer.
Inside the app
A practical workspace built around RibbonX.
Real Office previews
Preview ribbons for Excel, Word and PowerPoint without leaving the editor.
Built-in icon workflow
Browse imageMso icons and manage custom images.
Callback diagnostics
Find missing callbacks before opening the file in Office.
Real application screenshots
Explore the editor, its RibbonX preview and Office-specific workspaces.
Ribbon UI Studio
More than a basic RibbonX XML editor
Creation, visual preview, VBA tools and deployment packaging come together in one desktop workflow.
Office-aware previews for Excel, Word and PowerPoint
Create add-ins for Office 2007 and Office 2010+
Generate and edit missing VBA callback signatures
Diagnose XML, duplicate IDs, callbacks and embedded icons
Project templates and RibbonX control wizard
imageMso gallery, downloads and custom image management
Package Excel add-ins with stable AppId and optional VBA obfuscation
Inject PtrSafe declarations for 64-bit Office
Version history
Every official release, preserved.
Download the current release and review earlier packages as the product evolves.
LatestGitHub Releases
Release information is loaded automatically from GitHub.
ActiveCommunity
Share your experience
Tell us which Office app you use, what worked well, and what you would improve. Your public comment helps guide the next version.
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PayPal · Ecuador
Support the project
If Ribbon UI Studio saves you time, you can make an optional donation to support its continued development.
PayPal.MeOfficeRibbon
PayPal · Donate with PayPalAfter payment, keep the receipt. You can submit it to request your Supporter certificate and, when applicable, your PRO activation.License and use
Community is free. PRO adds advanced features.
Ribbon UI Studio Community is free to use. PRO unlocks Modern Forms, modern VBA-compatible dialogs, add-in licensing and advanced distribution workflows. The application source code remains private.
Community + PRO editions