Sideload Add-in (Windows)

Use this guide if you need to load the Octostaff add-in from a local manifest file before we officially release it in the Office Store. The steps are a bit tedious, but it's not too hard to follow. The core idea is to share the manifest file so that it's accessible via a UNC path (starting with \\), so that it's recognizable by the add-in catalog.

This tutorial is for Word/Excel desktop on Windows.

Before You Start

• You must use the desktop Word app (not Word on the web).
• Create a local folder like C:\Shared. Do not use OneDrive-synced folders.
• Download this file into that folder: https://www.octostaff.com/office-manifests/manifest.xml
• Keep Word/Excel closed until step 3.

Step 0: Create a Local Folder and Save manifest.xml

1. Create a folder on your local drive, for example C:\Shared.
2. Download manifest.xml and save it directly inside that folder.
3. Right-click the folder (not the file) and click Properties.

Step 1: Share the Folder

1. In Properties, open the Sharing tab.
2. Click Share....
3. In the network access dialog, click Share to confirm.
4. Close the sharing windows with OK.

Step 2: Copy the Network Path

1. In the sharing details, find the network path (for example \\DESKTOP-XXXX\\Shared).
2. Copy and save this path. You will need to paste it into Word/Excel later.

Step 3: Open Word/Excel Options

The following steps use Word as an example. The same steps apply to Excel.

1. Open Word/Excel.
2. Go to File > Options.

Step 4: Open Trust Center Settings

1. In Word/Excel Options, select Trust Center.
2. Click Trust Center Settings....

Step 5: Add Your Shared Folder as a Trusted Catalog

1. In Trust Center, select Trusted Add-in Catalogs.
2. Paste your network path from Step 2 into Catalog Url.
3. Click Add catalog.
4. Make sure Show in Menu is checked.
5. Click OK to save.
6. Fully close Word/Excel and reopen it.

IMPORTANT: Restart Word/Excel is required after adding the catalog.

Step 6: Open the Advanced Add-ins Window

1. In Word/Excel, go to Home.
2. Click Add-ins.
3. Click Advanced... at the bottom of the panel.

Step 7: Select Octostaff from Shared Folder

1. In the Office Add-ins window, open the Shared Folder section.
2. Select Octostaff (octopus icon).
3. Wait a few seconds for Word/Excel to load it.

If successful, the Octostaff button appears in the ribbon.

Troubleshooting

• Catalog is empty: confirm manifest.xml exists in the shared folder and Word/Excel was restarted after adding the catalog.
• Shared Folder tab does not appear: re-check the network path and make sure Show in Menu is enabled in Trusted Add-in Catalogs. Also make sure the path is spelled correctly and accessible from File Explorer.

For Microsoft's official reference guide, see: Create a network-shared folder catalog for task pane and content add-ins.