VISIBLETHREAD WORD ADD-IN
Deployment Guide: VisibleThread Customer-Hosted
For IT Administrators
Notes to read before you begin
• A valid SSL certificate on your VisibleThread server. The add-in will not work without one.
• Access to the MS Word Add-in page in your VisibleThread instance. All three methods use the manifest file.
• A Microsoft 365 admin role that allows you to deploy Integrated apps (Method A only).
• Method B & C do not support Mac. Use Method A for Mac users.
• Users must be on the corporate network or VPN so that Word can reach your VisibleThread server.
Choose a deployment method
Method | Use when | You need |
A. Microsoft 365 admin center | Recommended. Upload the manifest file in the admin center and assign it to users. | Microsoft 365 admin access and the manifest file |
B. SharePoint app catalog | You already distribute add-ins through an app catalog. | App catalog access and the manifest file |
C. Windows network share | Your organization doesn’t use Microsoft 365 or SharePoint. Windows only. | A network folder with Read access and the manifest file |
Complete one method only.
Method A: Microsoft 365 admin center
Step 1: Download the manifest file
1. In VisibleThread, go to Settings > MS Word Add-in.
2. Click Download Manifest File and save manifest.xml.
Step 2: Upload the manifest in the admin center
1. Sign in at https://admin.microsoft.com and go to Settings > Integrated apps.
2. Click Upload custom apps and select Office Add-in as the app type.
3. Choose Upload manifest file (.xml) from device and select manifest.xml.
4. Assign the add-in to Just me, Entire organization, or Specific users or groups.
5. Review the requested permissions and finish the deployment.
Step 3: Send the following steps to the users
Users will see the add-in after restarting Word, usually within a few hours (or up to 24 hours).
1. In Word, go to Insert > My Add-ins.
2. Open Admin Managed.
3. Select VisibleThread, click Add, then sign in to the panel.
Method B: SharePoint app catalog
Step 1: Download the manifest file
1. In VisibleThread, go to Settings > MS Word Add-in.
2. Click Download Manifest File and save manifest.xml.
Step 2: Open SharePoint
1. Open your SharePoint app catalog site and the Apps for Office library.
2. Upload manifest.xml.
3. Confirm the add-in is available to the users who need it.
Step 3: Send the following steps to the users
1. In Word, go to Insert > My Add-ins.
2. Open Admin Managed.
3. Select VisibleThread, click Add, then sign in to the panel.
Method C: Windows network share
Step 1: Download the manifest file
1. In VisibleThread, go to Settings > MS Word Add-in.
2. Click Download Manifest File and save manifest.xml.
Step 2: Set up the share
1. Create a network folder your users have Read access to and copy manifest.xml into it.
2. Send users the UNC path, for example \\fileserver\visiblethread.
Note: Word reads the manifest each time the add-in starts. If the folder is behind a firewall, users must be on the corporate network or VPN.
Step 3: Send the following steps to the users
1. Go to File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Trusted Add-in Catalogs.
2. Enter the UNC path in Catalog Url, click Add catalog, select Show in Menu, then click OK.
3. Restart Word.
4. Go to Home > Add-ins > Advanced. Open Shared Folder, select VisibleThread, click Add, then sign in to the panel.
Note: In older versions of Word, the same dialog opens from Insert > My Add-ins.
Note: If a future version of the add-in changes the Word ribbon, users on this method will need to add the add-in again.
Troubleshooting
Issue | What to check |
Add-in loads but shows an error or a blank panel | Check the SSL certificate on your VisibleThread server. The add-in requires a valid certificate. |
Add-in cannot reach the server | Confirm the user is on the corporate network or VPN, and that the server URL in the manifest is current. |
Add-in missing in Word | Restart Word. Confirm the user is in the assignment you selected and allow up to 24 hours after deployment. |
Manifest rejected on upload | Confirm the file is the unmodified manifest.xml from VisibleThread. Download it again if unsure. |
Shared Folder tab is empty | Check the UNC path, that Show in Menu is selected, and that the user has Read access. |
User cannot sign in | Confirm the user has an active VisibleThread account. |
Need more help?
Contact your support team or the VisibleThread support team – support@visiblethread.com.
