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How to Track Excel Add-In Usage and Feature Adoption
Question details
Organizations need a way to monitor which Excel add-ins are accessed and which specific add-in features are being adopted by users.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- IT administrators or managers want to audit add-in utilization to understand user workflows or manage software licenses across the organization.
- Observed behavior
- Excel does not include any built-in administrative tools, reports, or dashboards for tracking granular add-in usage or feature adoption.
Since there is no native tracking feature within Excel itself, check if your organization already utilizes IT endpoint monitoring software that can capture application module execution.
Submit a Feature Request via the Microsoft Feedback Portal
Because Excel natively lacks an add-in tracking tool, the official resolution is to submit a formal feature request to the Microsoft development team for future implementation.
Microsoft heavily relies on user feedback to prioritize new features in Microsoft 365 and Excel.
By submitting a detailed request explaining your organization's use case, you increase the likelihood of usage tracking being added to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
Open your web browser and navigate to the official Microsoft Excel feedback portal (feedbackportal.microsoft.com).
Use the search bar to look for 'track add-in usage'. If an existing thread exists, upvote it to increase its visibility.
If no thread exists, log in with your Microsoft account, click 'Send feedback', and post a detailed request explaining why your organization needs to monitor add-in adoption.
Use Third-Party Endpoint Monitoring Software
While Excel cannot track add-ins internally, IT departments can deploy external software utilization tools to track when specific add-in files are loaded.
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- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS website and download the free installer for your operating system.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an admin center report for Excel add-in usage in Microsoft 365?
No. While the Microsoft 365 Admin Center provides general application usage reports (such as active Excel users), it currently does not offer granular reports on specific add-in feature adoption.
Can I track which Excel macros are being used by my team?
Native Excel does not provide macro or VBA script execution tracking. You would need specialized IT monitoring software or custom telemetry coded directly into the macros to track their execution.
How can I tell if an Excel add-in is installed on a specific user's machine?
You can manually check by opening Excel on their device and navigating to File > Options > Add-ins. To do this at scale across an organization, IT administrators typically use PowerShell scripts to query registry keys or the default Add-ins folder.
Will Microsoft add native tracking for add-ins in the future?
Microsoft continuously updates its software suite based on enterprise user feedback. It is highly recommended to vote or submit this specific tracking request on the official Microsoft Feedback Portal to encourage its development.
