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What is a Word Add-in ?

An add-in is a program that can be attached to Word to give it additional functionality.

Once an add-in has been installed its functionality is available from any document.

A Word add-in has the file extension (".dot") and is a template that is always loaded when Word is open.

Add-ins are specific to a particular application. Word add-ins are specific to Word and cannot be used with any other application.

The (Tools > Templates and Add-ins) dialog box will list all the word templates and add-ins that are currently available and any that are ticked are currently installed.

Word does not have any templates and add-ins available as standard, although the Normal.dot template will be available.

What can an Word Add-in do ?

Add-ins are used to distribute macros and provide an excellent way of increasing the power and functionality of Word.

You can include anything in an addin that can be written in code.

Some of the most common uses are listed below:

1) Macros which you want available every time you open Word.

2) Toolbars and the Menu bar can be customised. Commands can be removed and new ones added.

3) Shortcut Menus can be customised. Commands can be removed and new ones added.

4) Databases can be connected to and data can be extracted or imported.

Using Word Add-ins

There are a large number of third party Word add-ins availiable. The majority are FREE to download from websites.

Be aware that the more add-ins you have installed, the longer Word will take to open. It is worth selecting (Tools > Templates and Add-ins) and clearing the check boxes for any add-ins that you do not use.

Word has several add-ins that come as standard and these can be found in the following locations:

Word 2003 - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office11\Library\

Word 2002 - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\Library\

Word 2000 - C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft Addins\

Word 97 - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Library\

Advantages of using an Add-in

An add-in is easier to distribute and share than a document.

Any event handling procedures cannot be bypassed by using the Shift key. This ensures that an add-in is always initialised.

An add-in is almost invisible to the user, especially if you add a command to an existing drop-down menu. This may be more appropriate for inexperienced users that could get confused by having to open up additional documents.

Things to Remember

Be aware that the more add-ins you have installed, the longer Word will take to open.

You may need to run your setup installation again if you can't find a particular add-in in your (Tools > Templates and Add-ins) dialog box.

The majority of add-ins will probably be protected which means that if you try to view to project in the Visual Basic Editor you will be prompted for a password.

Always make sure that the Menu Bar is reset in a template file before saving especially if your template has customised menus or toolbars of its own.