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Choose how to get the add-in
There are two main routes: install an add-in for your own account through the app or Marketplace, or have an administrator centrally deploy it to selected people. The first is self-service; the second lets an organization control selection and audience. An organization can also restrict user-initiated Marketplace downloads.
| Route | Who chooses and manages it | Audience | Important consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual installation | The individual user | That user’s app/account | Depends on Marketplace access and the relevant app’s supported interface. See Microsoft’s Word, Excel, and PowerPoint add-in instructions. |
| Centralized deployment | An administrator | Everyone, selected users or groups, or the administrator | Requires tenant eligibility and configuration; see Microsoft’s centralized deployment requirements. |
Install an add-in in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint
The following steps are for Microsoft 365 applications running on Windows, as specified in Microsoft’s instructions. Menu names can differ on Mac, web, and mobile versions, so use platform-specific guidance rather than assuming the same path applies everywhere.
- Open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint and select File > Get Add-ins. In apps where the option is available, you can instead select Home > Add-ins.
- Browse or search the available add-ins, select the one you want, and choose Add.
- Follow any prompts shown by the add-in or app to complete setup.
To see what is installed, open the Office Add-ins dialog and select My Add-ins. If an add-in you expect is missing, refresh the list. Microsoft’s full steps are in View, manage, and install add-ins for Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
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Remove an add-in from Word, Excel, or PowerPoint
- Open the Office Add-ins dialog and go to My Add-ins.
- Select the add-in you want to remove and choose Remove.
This is the user-facing removal workflow described for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on Windows. Organization-managed add-ins may instead be controlled by an administrator.
Deploy add-ins for an organization
Microsoft recommends the integrated apps portal as the most feature-rich central deployment route for most customers. In the Microsoft 365 admin center, open Settings > Integrated apps, choose Add-ins, and select Deploy Add-in. Microsoft’s deployment guidance is available at Deploy Office Add-ins in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
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Complete the deployment wizard
- Choose an add-in from the Marketplace or upload a custom add-in manifest.
- Assign it to Everyone, specific users or groups, or only the administrator.
- Review the assignment and complete deployment.
Microsoft describes an Office Add-in as a manifest containing metadata and a pointer to the web application that supplies its code and logic. For custom internal add-ins, note the manifest distinction in Microsoft’s guidance: the Add-ins portal supports add-in-only manifests, while unified-manifest deployment uses the integrated apps portal.
Roll out in stages
Microsoft recommends starting with business stakeholders and IT, evaluating the add-in, then expanding to more users before completing rollout. Assigning a group can simplify ongoing access changes: people added to the assigned group gain access, and people removed from it lose access. Tell users when and how to use the add-in and where to get help.
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Manage assignments and Marketplace access
Change or remove a deployment
Administrators can update assigned users, disable or unassign an add-in, or remove it. An unassigned deployment is retained but does not provide access to users who are not assigned; removing it makes it inaccessible to all users. See Microsoft’s Manage Add-ins in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center for the management workflow and state details.
Allow or block user-initiated downloads
To govern self-service installation, go to Org settings > Services > User owned apps and services and change Let users access the Office Store. Clearing this setting blocks Marketplace access and user-initiated downloads, which allows an organization to direct users toward centrally approved add-ins. Microsoft’s management article covers this control: Manage Add-ins in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check centralized deployment eligibility and timing
Central deployment is not available under every tenant configuration. Before planning a rollout, check Microsoft’s current requirements for centralized deployment and centralized deployment FAQ for the organization’s license, cloud, and platform situation.
- Microsoft’s FAQ says users need Microsoft 365 apps, an Exchange Online mailbox, and a subscription directory in or federated to Microsoft Entra ID; centralized deployment supports online mailboxes.
- Microsoft’s requirements guidance describes coverage for Office on Windows and Mac and Office for the web, with Outlook mobile add-ins also supported on iOS and Android. Eligibility details can vary for sovereign and government clouds, and Microsoft provides alternate guidance where the integrated apps portal is unavailable.
- Microsoft’s requirements page says centralized deployment may take up to 24 hours to appear for all users. Separately, the admin deployment article says a ribbon may take 24–72 hours to show the add-in and users may need to restart the relevant app. These are distinct timing statements, not a guarantee that every deployment follows one universal schedule.
Install or find add-ins in Outlook
Outlook has its own add-in guidance; do not apply the Word, Excel, and PowerPoint menu path to it. Microsoft describes installation from the store, installation from a file for custom add-ins, and add-ins deployed by an IT administrator. The exact interface depends on Outlook version and platform. Start with Microsoft’s Use add-ins in Outlook. For organization-managed Outlook add-ins, the admin-center guidance explains how to locate them from Outlook’s app area and Manage your apps: Manage Add-ins in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
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