Microsoft has always focused on innovation, and the recent addition of a specific button for managing add-ins in its popular applications – Word, Excel, and PowerPoint – is a clear testimony to this. This innovation extends not only to the standard software versions of these applications, but also to their Web versions.
Microsoft Office: What are Add-ins?
Office add-ins can be compared to browser add-ons/extensions: they introduce additional features and third-party integrations to enhance your experience and introduce new capabilities. Here’s how Microsoft describes them:
“Office add-ins are software extensions that introduce additional functionality into Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. For example, an Office add-in might introduce a new tool for formatting text or a new feature for analyzing data. Most Office add-ins are developed by third-party developers and can be downloaded and installed from the Microsoft Office Store.”
With the updated Windows and web-based Office apps, you can search for and add new add-ins from the main page. Just click the “Add-ins” button and select the one you want from the list of popular add-ins. If the add-in is not present, click the “More Add-ins” button.

Alternatively, you can go to File > Get Add-ins, where you can view or remove installed add-ins by clicking on “My Add-ins“.

Release of Add-in Update on Microsoft Office
The new add-ins button is now being rolled out to Office apps on Windows with version 2301 (build number 16026.20146) and later versions. It is important to note that Microsoft is rolling out the new Office features at different stages to ensure stability and smooth deployment, so it may take a few more days before you receive them. You can learn more about Office add-ins at the Microsoft 365 Insider.

Add-ins in Microsoft 365
The add-ins you have installed can be easily viewed in the section called “My Add-ins.” When you access this section, you will not only see a list of the add-ins you have activated, but also detailed references on each of them.
If you wish to explore additional add-ins to add to your Office account, you can access the “Get Add-ins” screen. Here, Microsoft 365 offers a showcase full of add-ins with detailed descriptions and star ratings given by users. These star ratings help you understand the effectiveness and usefulness of an add-in based on the experience of other users.
Choosing the right add-in can greatly improve your experience with Microsoft applications, making your daily activities more efficient and productive. With reviews and ratings at your fingertips, making an informed decision has never been easier.

Coming Soon: The New Default Character
If you missed it, Microsoft recently announced a new default font, Aptos, which will replace the now dated Calibri. Aptos will soon be available to all users-a recent update on the Microsoft 365 Roadmap page revealed Microsoft’s plans to roll out Aptos in September 2023.
If you would like to get it now, sign up for the Microsoft 365 Insider program to get a preview of the updates.
Conclusion
Microsoft keeps on leading the way in optimizing the user experience, and with the introduction of this new button, it makes managing add-ons smoother and more efficient. And with the constant evolution of Office, we can expect many more innovations in the future.