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Excel Ribbon - Backstage - adding a seperator

I have a custom tab in the backstage section of my ribbon xml. I would like to know if there is any way to put a separator (like the node used elsewhere in RibbonX) in a <TopItems> node. I have tried it and cant get it to validate.

I am using the Custom UI editor and Excel 2010.

Basically I want to create vertical space between items but yet keep them related to the group their are in.

The ssnippet below shows where I would like to put it.

<tab ....>
     <firstColumn>
                  <group ....>
                         <primaryItem>
                                      <button .... />
                         </primaryItem>
                         <topItems>
                                   <layoutContainer ....>
                                                    <dropDown ..../>
                                                    <SEPERATOR HERE>
                                                    <button .... />
                                   </layoutContainer>
                         </topItems>
                  </group>
     </firstColumn>
</tab>

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yuppydu

use <separator id="whateveryouwant"/>

AL_XResearch

ASKER

That was the first thing I tried. It was rejected as invalid inside the 'backstage' section. That is why I was asking. It would be great if backstage used the same rules and as the rest of the ribbon but sadly not.

yuppydu

can you attach the file, please?

yuppydu

I don't think it can be done in backstage.... investigating

AL_XResearch

ASKER

yuppydu: I am afraid I can't attach a file as a) it is my client's property b) it is too large and complicated. The extract in my initial posting shows what I am trying to do and clarifies my question.

Thanks for investigating - I am sure there must be a way as several MS ribbon examples show separators (unless they have 'faked it will a LabelControl). Unfortunately the XML extracts in those articles do not show what could be responsible.

yuppydu

If I find anything I'll let you know.
Have a good day

AL_XResearch

ASKER

Anyone else have any thoughts ?

John Wilson

You cannot add a seperator to a layoutContainer

Permitted Items are:

button
checkBox
comboBox
dropDown
editBox
groupBox
hyperlink
imageControl
labelControl
laypouContainer
radioGroup

Adding a couple of (empty) groupBoxes may make some space

AL_XResearch

ASKER

JSRWilson, thanks for the response. Where did you get that information ? I have been looking for ages and have not found anywhere that says that a Separator is not allowed in backstage (whether in or out of a layoutContainer)

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

John Wilson

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Richard Daneke

Would this link in MSDN be of any help:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ff597537(v=office.14).aspx
It would appear that an Edit Box with a space (" ") may provide some spacing.
It also details the VB and XML issues and discusses the application of styles.

John Wilson

Not sure how an editBox would work. It wouldn't really look like a space and the user would be able to type into it unless you set enable to false which might be confusing!