You know that feeling when you're deep in your inbox, juggling emails, appointments, and tasks, and you wish there was just a little something more to make it all smoother? That's where Outlook add-ins come in, and they're particularly handy in the new Outlook for Windows.
Think of add-ins as smart little helpers that live right inside your Outlook. They’re designed to help you get things done without having to constantly jump between different applications. Whether you're managing your schedule or diving into a lengthy email thread, these tools can streamline your workflow.
Getting Your Hands on Add-ins
There are a few ways these helpful tools find their way into your Outlook. Sometimes, your organization's IT department might install them for you – these will just appear where they're meant to be used, ready to go. But often, you'll want to explore the Office Store yourself.
To find and install add-ins from the store in the new Outlook, it's pretty straightforward. Look for the 'More apps' option, usually found on your ribbon or navigation bar. Clicking that will open up an 'Add apps' window. From there, you can browse or search for exactly what you're looking for. Found something that catches your eye? Click on it to get more details, and importantly, to review its privacy policy. Once you're happy, just hit 'Add'.
Custom Add-ins: A Different Path
Now, if you have a custom add-in you want to install, the process is a bit different, and it currently involves a quick trip to Outlook on the web. Open Outlook on the web in your browser, and you'll see an 'Add-Ins for Outlook' window. Here, you'll navigate to 'My add-ins'. Under the 'Custom Addins' section, you'll find 'Add a custom add-in'. Choose 'Add from file'. You'll then select the XML file for your add-in and hit 'Install'. It's worth noting that the 'Add from URL' option isn't available for custom add-ins anymore, but the workaround is simple: just open the URL in your browser, download the file, and then use the 'Add from File' option.
Putting Add-ins to Work
Once installed, how do you actually use them? It really depends on what you're doing.
When Reading an Email: Open the message, or select it in the Reading Pane. You'll see 'More apps' on the ribbon or an 'Apps' button on the message's action bar. Clicking these will reveal your installed add-ins. Pro tip: You can even 'pin' your favorite add-ins to the ribbon and action bar for quicker access. Just go to 'More apps', right-click the add-in, and select 'Pin'. To unpin, it's the same process, just select 'Unpin'.
When Composing an Email: Whether you're starting a new message or replying, look at the 'Message' tab on the ribbon. Your add-ins might be listed there. If not, the 'Apps' button will show you all your installed options.
For Meetings and Appointments: When you're viewing or scheduling a meeting or appointment, you'll find add-ins available directly from the ribbon. If you're working with an existing event, make sure to open it in a pop-up window to see the ribbon clearly.
A Note on Offline Use
It's good to know that when you're offline, Outlook add-ins and the Microsoft 365 store won't be available. This is something to keep in mind, especially if you rely on them for critical tasks. If you're unsure about the type of add-in you're using or how it behaves offline, your organization's tech support is the best place to ask.
