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How to Reinstall Third-Party Excel Add-Ins Removed from Microsoft 365
Question details
The user needs to reinstall and re-enable external third-party Excel add-ins that are no longer appearing in the My Add-ins list.
- Product
- Microsoft 365 Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Restoring missing external add-ins that are not distributed through the official Microsoft Store.
- Observed behavior
- Previously installed or required third-party add-ins have disappeared from Microsoft 365 and no longer show up under the My Add-ins section.
Ensure you have downloaded the latest installation files for your specific third-party add-in directly from the developer's official website.
Manually Reinstall and Enable Add-Ins via Excel Options
Use this method to activate external add-ins that you have downloaded directly from a developer's website.
When add-ins are not distributed via the Microsoft Store, they must be manually managed through Excel's built-in Add-in manager. This process ensures the program correctly links to the add-in's source file.
Run the setup file provided by the third-party developer and follow their on-screen installation instructions to save the add-in files to your computer.
Open Microsoft Excel, click on 'File' in the top-left corner, and select 'Options' at the very bottom of the left-hand menu.
In the Excel Options dialog box, select 'Add-ins' from the left sidebar to view all active and inactive application add-ins.
At the bottom of the window, locate the 'Manage' dropdown box, ensure 'Excel Add-ins' is selected, and click the 'Go...' button.
In the new dialog box, check the box next to your newly installed add-in in the list. Select 'OK', and then restart Excel to apply the changes.
Use Custom Add-Ins Seamlessly in WPS Spreadsheet
WPS Office offers comprehensive support for custom plugins, VBA macros, and third-party tools. If Microsoft 365 updates are causing compatibility issues with your add-ins, you can easily load and manage them in WPS Spreadsheet.
- 1. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch WPS Office on your computer and open a new or existing Spreadsheet document.
- 2. Access the Tools tab: Navigate to the 'Tools' tab on the top ribbon menu and look for the 'Add-Ins' or 'COM Add-Ins' icon.
- 3. Load your external add-in: Click the 'Add' button in the Add-Ins manager dialog box and browse your computer to select your downloaded add-in file.
- 4. Enable and apply: Check the box next to your newly imported add-in, click 'OK', and begin using your customized external tools immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my third-party add-ins suddenly disappear from Microsoft 365?
Microsoft 365 updates occasionally reset software configurations or tighten security settings, which can inadvertently disable or hide add-ins that were not installed directly from the Microsoft Store.
What should I do if I get a security warning when enabling an external add-in?
If Excel blocks the add-in for security reasons, you may need to right-click the add-in file in Windows File Explorer, select 'Properties', and check the 'Unblock' box at the bottom. Alternatively, move the file into an Office Trusted Location.
Who should I contact if the add-in still fails to load or configure properly?
If you have followed the installation steps and the add-in still malfunctions, you should contact the third-party developer's support team directly, as the tool may require an update to remain compatible with your version of Microsoft 365.
