An MXP file is the best and easiest way to distribute your new Flash MX Component. MXP files are basically a compressed archive of all the files required for your component in a specialized file format which is compatible with the Macromedia Extension Manager. Distributing your Component as an MXP file makes installation a breeze - the client only has to double click the MXP file they downloaded and your component will automatically be installed. The Macromedia Extension manager also allows easy uninstallation or updating of the component once installed. Best of all, creating an MXP archive is quick and easy. Follow these simple steps and you're done:

1. If you don't already have Extension Manager installed you can install it from your Flash MX CD (Goodies\Macromedia\Extension Manager\) or download it free from Macromedia Exchange (it's about 2Mb).
2. With Exchange installed you need to create a Macromedia Exchange Installation file (or MXI file) which is done most easily by editing a template, so grab this one and let's continue. Note this template is just an adapted version of the sample which comes with Extension Manager. All credit should go to Macromedia.
3. Open the template from above and change the 'name' and 'version' attributes of the root 'macromedia-extension' node.
4. Change the name in the 'author' node.
5. Enter a description of the component's purpose where the file currently has ---Description Here---.
6. Set up a FLA file which contains just your component(s) and the relevant Flash assets (movie clips, etc). Give this FLA a name less than about 30 characters long. Make the name descriptive because it will be the Component Suite's name in the Components Panel. Change the value of the first 'file' node (within the 'files' parent node) in the template you're editing to the exact name of the FLA file containing your component(s).
7. If your component requires any external files which you provide, such as a source XML file add an additional 'file' node immediately after the existing file node and enter the name of that second file in the new node. Basically you're listing all the files required to use your component, each one in a different node.
8. Leave everything else unchanged unless you know what you're doing. See the Extension Manager help for more advanced options.
9. That's it! Now just save your MPI file (in the same directory as the FLA you made above) and double click it. It will open in the Extension Manager and automatically allow you to save an MXP file which you can then upload to our site. Before uploading your MXP file please ensure that it works correctly by installing it locally yourself and verifying it installs your component within Flash. If you can't see your component in the Components Panel don't forget to select your component suite name from the small drop down menu at the top of the Components Panel.

If for some reason you can't follow these steps, there is also a good MXI Wizard to be found here.