Installation guide

Follow these steps to install your add-in's manifest.xml in Excel.

Windows

  1. Download your manifest file. After generating your add-in click Download. A file called manifest.xml will be saved to your Downloads folder.
  2. Create a dedicated folder. Open File Explorer and create a new folder called AddInForge. Move your manifest.xml into it.
  3. Share the folder. Right-click the folder → Properties → Sharing tab → Share → Share again → Done. Note the network path shown e.g. \\YourPC\AddInForge
  4. Add as trusted catalog in Excel. Open Excel → File → Options → Trust Center → Trust Center Settings → Trusted Add-in Catalogs. Paste your network path into Catalog URL → Add Catalog → tick Show in Menu → OK
  5. Restart Excel and load your add-in. Close Excel completely and reopen. Go to Insert → Add-ins → My Add-ins → Shared Folder tab. Click your add-in to install it.

Tip: You only need to do steps 2–4 once. Next time just drop the new manifest.xml into the same folder.

If you see "No add-ins available" in the Shared Folder tab, make sure you fully closed and reopened Excel after step 4.

Mac

  1. Download your manifest file. After generating your add-in click Download. A file called manifest.xml will be saved to your Downloads folder.
  2. Move the manifest to the correct folder. Open Finder, press ⌘ Shift G, paste: ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Documents/wef — if the wef folder doesn't exist create it. Move manifest.xml into it.
  3. Open Excel and load your add-in. Restart Excel, go to Insert → Add-ins → My Add-ins. Your add-in appears under Developer Add-ins. Click it to install.
  4. Find your add-in in the ribbon. A new tab appears with your add-in name. Click it to run your add-in.

Tip: The wef folder is permanent — next time just drop the new manifest.xml in and restart Excel.

If the Library folder is hidden, open Finder → click Go menu → hold the Option key — Library will appear.