Office Settings & Configuration

Fix "Get Add-ins" Grayed Out in Microsoft Word and Excel

Rana Garcia Sep 29, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user is unable to access or install new extensions because the Get Add-ins option is disabled in the application menu.

How to Fix "Get Add-ins" Grayed Out in Word and Excel

Product: Microsoft Word and Excel
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Attempting to browse, manage, or install web add-ins from the Office Store.
Observed behavior: The "Get Add-ins" button is grayed out and unclickable, preventing the user from accessing the add-in catalog.

Before you start

Verify whether you are using a personal Microsoft account or one managed by a workplace or school, as organizations frequently disable add-in installations through administrative policies.

Solution 1Recommended

Enable Web Add-ins in Trust Center Settings

Check your local application settings to ensure that access to web add-ins and the Office Store hasn't been manually blocked.

Microsoft Office includes security settings in the Trust Center that allow users or administrators to block web-based add-ins. Disabling this restriction can restore the functionality.

Open Application Options

Launch Microsoft Word or Excel, click on the "File" tab in the top-left corner, and select "Options" at the bottom of the left-hand menu.

Access the Trust Center

In the Options dialog box, select "Trust Center" from the left pane, then click on the "Trust Center Settings" button on the right.

Modify Trusted Add-in Catalogs

Navigate to "Trusted Add-in Catalogs" in the Trust Center menu. Look for any checked options that block web add-ins or prevent them from starting, and uncheck them.

Save and Restart

Click "OK" to save your changes, close the Trust Center and Options windows, and restart Word or Excel to see if the button is now active.

Enable Web Add-ins in Trust Center Settings

Tip: If the checkboxes in the Trust Center are also grayed out, your settings are being overridden by an organizational Group Policy.

Solution 2

Request Administrator Assistance

If Trust Center settings are inaccessible or do not resolve the issue, the restriction is enforced at the organizational level.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did 'Get Add-ins' suddenly stop working when it worked previously?

This usually happens when your organization's IT department updates the Microsoft 365 Group Policy or Office Cloud Policy, automatically rolling out new restrictions that disable access to the Office Store.

Can I bypass administrator restrictions to install an Office add-in?

No. If your account is managed by an organization that has blocked the Office Store, you cannot bypass this security setting locally. You must request that your IT administrator either enable the store or deploy the add-in for you centrally.

Are web add-ins available if I am using Word or Excel offline?

No, web add-ins require an active internet connection to function. If you are offline, the 'Get Add-ins' button may be unavailable, and existing web add-ins might not load.

What should an administrator check in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center?

The administrator should verify settings under Settings > Org settings > User owned apps and services, ensuring that users are allowed to access the Office Store. They should also check any active Office Cloud Policies that might block web add-in execution.

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