Distribute an Add-in using the Office 365 admin center

If your organisation uses Microsoft Office 365 and have user licenses that include the use of the Exchange Server, you can deploy the Aligned Elements Word Add-In using the Office 365 Admin Center.

Before you Start

Make sure that you have received the Aligned Elements Word Add-In Manifest xml file from your Aligned representative.

Perform the Deployment

Open the Microsoft Office 365 Admin Center and go to Settings/Integrated apps

Select Upload Custom App in the Integrated Apps view:

Select Upload manifest file from device and browse to the add-in manifest xml file using the Choose File button. Then click Next.

You can then assign users who may use the add-in:

It will take up to 10 minutes or so for the add-in to be deployed. You will receive an email notification confirming your successful deployment. Users might need to relaunch ‎Office‎ to see the add-in icon in the ribbon.

Troubleshoot Word Add-In problems

Word Add-In does not appear

1. Sign in to Word with your Office 365 account

Make sure that the user signed in with his/her Office 365 account in word. See upper right corner of Word or go to File => Account to see the currently signed in user account.

If the user is signed in with a non-Office 365 account or an Office 365 account to which the Word Add-In was not distributes, then the Add-In will not appear.

2. Restart Word

You might have to close all open Word applications and restart Word for the Add-In to show up.

3. Office 365 License compatibility issues

Some Office 365 license types do not support Add-In deployments. Make sure you have an Exchange Online mailbox activated for your account.

Microsoft states: “Centralized deployment of add-ins requires that the users are using

• Microsoft 365 Business licenses (Business Basic, Business Standard, Business Premium)

• Office 365 Enterprise licenses (E1/E3/E5/F3), or

• Microsoft 365 Enterprise licenses (E3/E5/F3) (and are signed into Office using their organizational ID),

• Office 365 Education licenses (A1/A3/A5), or

• Microsoft 365 Education licenses (A3/A5),

...and have Exchange Online and active Exchange Online mailboxes.”

Source: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/admin/manage/centralized-deployment-of-add-ins?view=o365-worldwide#requirements

4. The Deployment takes more time

For large organizations, the deployment can take some time. Make sure that you are on a network that (for some organisations this means being on a VPN) where the deployment can reach your computer.