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How to Download and Enable the Excel Inquire Add-in
Question details
The user wants to know how to locate, download, and activate the Excel Inquire add-in on a paid Microsoft Office account.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- The user needs to use the Inquire add-in for workbook analysis and comparison, but cannot see the tool in the Excel ribbon interface.
- Observed behavior
- The Inquire tab is missing or not visible by default, and the user is unsure how to download or activate it.
Verify that your Microsoft Office subscription is either Office Professional Plus or Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, as the Inquire add-in is exclusively built into these specific editions and cannot be downloaded separately.
Enable the Inquire Add-in via COM Add-ins
Activate the built-in Inquire add-in through Excel's options menu if you are using a supported enterprise edition.
The Inquire add-in does not require a separate download. If you have a supported enterprise version of Office, the add-in is already pre-installed and simply needs to be turned on from the Excel Options menu.
Launch Microsoft Excel, click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the window, and select 'Options' at the very bottom of the left-hand menu.
In the Excel Options dialog box, click on 'Add-ins' located in the left pane to view all active and inactive application add-ins.
Locate the 'Manage' dropdown menu at the bottom of the window, select 'COM Add-ins' from the list, and click the 'Go...' button next to it.
Check the box next to 'Inquire Add-in' in the pop-up list and click 'OK'. The Inquire tab will now appear in your Excel ribbon.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Spreadsheet Management
If your current Office edition doesn't support advanced add-ins or you're looking for a cost-effective, feature-rich spreadsheet solution, WPS Office provides a lightweight and highly compatible alternative.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website and click the free download button.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
- 3. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Spreadsheet to easily manage, analyze, and compare your existing Excel workbooks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I download the Inquire add-in for Office Home & Student?
No, the Inquire add-in is not available as a standalone download for standard or personal Office editions. It is an exclusive feature built into Office Professional Plus and Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise.
Why is the Inquire tab missing after I enabled it?
If you enabled the add-in but the tab doesn't appear, try completely closing and restarting Excel. If it remains missing, check with your organization's IT department, as it may be restricted by group policies.
What is the Inquire add-in used for?
The Inquire add-in is a diagnostic tool that allows users to analyze workbook structures, compare two workbooks to highlight differences, and trace complex relationships between cells, worksheets, and external files.
