Installing the Add-In

1. Download the manifest

  • Browser: right-click the link → Save link as… → save as manifest.xml.

  • PowerShell (Windows):

Invoke-WebRequest -Uri "https://ms-word-addin.theblockbrain.ai/manifest.xml" -OutFile ".\manifest.xml"
  • curl (macOS / Linux / WSL):

curl -L -o manifest.xml "https://ms-word-addin.theblockbrain.ai/manifest.xml"

2. Installation Method

Quick install (user) - Word Desktop / Word Online / Word for Mac

  1. Open Word and a document.

  2. Go to Insert > Add-ins > Get Add-ins (the "Office Add-ins" dialog opens).

  1. Select My Add-ins.

  1. Click Upload My Add-in → choose one of:

  • Add from file → browse and select the downloaded manifest.xml.

  • Add from URL → paste: https://ms-word-addin.theblockbrain.ai/manifest.xml.

  1. Confirm any permission/trust prompts.

  2. Launch the add-in via Insert > Add-ins > My Add-ins (or the new ribbon button/task pane).

Admin deployment - Microsoft 365 (Centralized deployment)

  1. Sign in as a Global admin at https://admin.microsoft.com.

  2. Search for Add-ins / Integrated apps (or find Settings → Integrated apps / Add-ins).

  3. Choose Deploy Add-in (or Upload add-in) → upload manifest.xml or provide the manifest URL.

  4. Assign to users/groups or the whole organization → complete deployment.

  5. Note: rollout may take minutes to several hours for all users.

Tenant SharePoint App Catalog (alternate org deployment)

  1. Upload manifest.xml to the tenant App Catalog (Apps for Office).

  2. Users find the add-in under Insert > Add-ins > My Add-ins > My Organization.

3. Verify & Open the add-in

  • Open Word → Insert > Add-ins > My Add-ins → select the add-in.

  • Expected result: add-in opens in a task pane or appears on the ribbon per manifest.

4. Update / Uninstall

  • Update: re-upload updated manifest (user-side remove + add or replace via admin center).

  • Uninstall (user): Insert > Add-ins > My Add-ins → find the add-in → remove/uninstall.

Troubleshooting (common issues)

  • “Upload My Add-in” not visible — ensure modern Office (Microsoft 365 / Office 2016+); use Word Online as fallback.

  • Manifest download blocked — try PowerShell/curl or check network proxies.

  • Add-in not listed after deploy — sign out/sign in, wait for propagation, confirm assignment in admin center.

  • Add-in fails to load — check manifest validity, HTTPS accessibility of resources, and browser/devtools console for errors.

  • Permissions prompt — verify the manifest's requested permissions and accept if expected.

Requirements & notes

  • Supported clients: Word for Microsoft 365 (Windows / Mac), Word Online; some legacy Office builds may not support custom add-ins.

  • Manifest and web endpoints must be served over HTTPS with valid certificates.

  • If you need the manifest validated, run it through an XML linter or the Office Add-in validator before deployment.

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