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Workpapers Custom Templates add-in installation

Use Network Share to install the add-in

Install the Workpapers NG add-in using a network share, where the IT administrator sets up a shared folder and end users add it as a trusted catalog in Excel.
Use this method for smaller organizations where centralized administrator deployment is not feasible, or when users need to access the add-in in an offline environment after the catalog is set up. This method requires 2 roles:
  • The IT administrator creates and maintains the network share and places the manifest file in the shared folder.
  • End users add the network share as a trusted add-in catalog in their Excel application.
  1. IT Administrator steps:
  2. Make sure you have the
    manifest.xml
     file for the add-in saved on your local device.
  3. Create a folder on a server that's accessible to the intended users.
    For example:
    \\servername\shared_folder\addin_manifests
  4. Grant at least
    Read
     permissions on the folder to all users who need to access the add-in.
  5. Copy the
    manifest.xml
     file into the shared folder.
  6. Provide the full UNC path of the shared folder to the end users who will install the add-in.
  7. End-user steps
  8. Open Microsoft Excel.
  9. Select
    File
    , then
    Options
    .
  10. In the
    Excel Options
     section, select
    Trust Center
    , then
    Trust Center Settings
    .
  11. On the
    Trust Center
     screen, select
    Trusted Add-in Catalogs
    .
  12. In the
    Catalog URL
     field, enter the full UNC path to the network share provided by your IT administrator.
  13. Select
    Add Catalog
    .
  14. Mark the
    Show in Menu
     checkbox for the newly added catalog.
  15. Select
    OK
     to close the
    Trust Center
     screen, then select
    OK
     again to close the
    Excel Options
     screen.
  16. Restart Excel for the new catalog to appear.
  17. Select the
    Home
     tab, then
    Add-ins
    .
  18. In the
    Office Add-ins
     screen, select
    Shared Folder
    .
    The Workpapers NG add-in appears in the list.
  19. Select
    Add
    .
Be aware of the following after installing the add-in:
  • Updates:
     Unlike the Administrator Center method, manifest updates are not automatic. The IT administrator must replace the
    manifest.xml
     file on the network share with the new version. Users may need to clear their Office cache for manifest updates to take effect. In some cases, simply reopening the add-in after the manifest update is sufficient for web content updates.
  • Connectivity:
     Users must have access to the network share to install the add-in from the catalog.
  • Security:
     Set the network share permissions correctly to prevent unauthorized modifications to the manifest file.

This article applies to:

  • Subject: Add-in,Workpapers

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