The Avvoka Word Add-in brings Avvoka's automation capabilities directly into Word, allowing your team to continue working in the way they always have, without needing to switch between platforms or adopt new tools.
If you already have the Add-in installed and want to start using it to automate templates directly in word, refer to this article.
Compatibility
The add-in is supported on Microsoft Word versions that run modern embedded browser technology.
Office (Perpetual Licences)
Office Version | Earliest Supported Build |
Office 2021 | Any |
Office 2019 (Retail licence) | Version 2101 (Build 13628.20274) |
Office 2016 (Retail licence) | Version 2101 (Build 13628.20274) |
For Office 2016 and 2019 (Retail), WebView2 must be installed:
https://developer.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-edge/webview2/
Microsoft 365
Operating System | Earliest Supported Build |
Windows 11 | Any |
Windows 10 / 8.1 / Windows Server 2016+ | 16.0.13530.20424 |
macOS | Version 15.32 (March 2017) |
Installation Steps
Installation steps will vary depending on your organisation’s Microsoft Office setup and deployment approach.
For most Microsoft 365 organisations, centralised deployment via the Admin Centre is recommended, as it allows the add-in to be rolled out and managed across users.
A manifest file is typically required for local installations or where the add-in is deployed as a custom app. Avvoka can provide this file on request.
Please refer to the relevant section below:
Microsoft 365 organisations – see App Store Installation or Centralised Deployment (Microsoft 365)
Windows environments (local setup) – see Local Installation (Windows)
macOS environments (local setup) – see Local Installation (macOS)
App Store Installation
The add-in can be installed directly from the Office Add-ins store.
Steps:
Open Microsoft Word
Go to Add-ins → More Add-ins (from the Home or Insert tab)
Search for Avvoka
Click Add to install
This installation method can also be used for organisation-wide deployment. For more information, see Centralised Deployment (Microsoft 365).
Centralised Deployment (Office 365)
The Avvoka add-in can be deployed across your organisation through the Microsoft 365 Admin Centre.
Step 1: Access the Admin Centre
Navigate to Settings → Integrated apps
Step 2: Choose a deployment method
Option A — Install from the Microsoft catalogue
Select Get Apps
Search for Avvoka
Click Get it now
Follow the on-screen steps to complete installation and configuration
Option B — Deploy as a custom app
Upload the manifest file provided by Avvoka
Assign the add-in to the relevant users or groups
Approve any required permissions
Complete the deployment
Step 3: Access the add-in
Once deployment is complete, users can access the add-in in Microsoft Word
Users may need to restart Word
In some cases, it may take a short period of time for the add-in to become available
Local Installation (Windows)
This installation method uses a manifest file provided by Avvoka to make the add-in available locally.
Step 1: Set up a shared location
Create a folder to store the add-in manifest file (this can be in any location).
Right-click the folder and select Properties.
Open the Sharing tab.
Select Advanced Sharing and enable Share this folder.
Place the manifest.xml file in this folder.
Copy the Network Path shown in the Sharing tab (for example: \\USERNAME\Documents\AddIns).
Step 2: Register the location in Word
Each user must complete this step once in their Word desktop application:
Open Word → File → Options.
Select Trust Centre from the left-hand menu
Click Trust Centre Settings….
In the Trust Centre dialog box, select Trusted Add-in Catalogs from the left-hand pane.
In the Catalog URL field, enter the network path to the shared folder where the manifest.xml file is located (for example, \\YourServer\SharedAddins).
Click Add catalog.
Tick the Show in Menu checkbox next to the newly added catalogue.
Click OK to close all dialog boxes, then restart Word.
Step 3: Insert the add-in in Word
Open Word.
Go to Home → Add-ins → Advanced
In the Office Add-ins dialog box, select the Shared Folder tab at the top of the Office Add-ins dialogue box. (or My Organisation if the add-in was deployed via Centralised Deployment).
You should see the Avvoka add-in listed. Select it and click Add.
Local Installation (macOS)
The add-in can also be installed locally on macOS using a manifest file provided by Avvoka.
Step 1: Close Microsoft Word
Ensure Microsoft Word is fully closed before proceeding.
Step 2: Add the manifest file to the local add-ins directory
Open Finder
From the menu bar, select Go → Go to Folder
Enter the following path and click Go:
~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Word/Data/DocumentsWithin the Documents folder, create a folder named
wef(if it does not already exist)Drag the provided
manifest.xmlfile into theweffolder
Step 3: Open the add-in in Word
Reopen Microsoft Word
The Avvoka add-in should now be available
You can access it via the Add-ins option or directly from the toolbar (depending on your Word configuration)
Technical Overview
The Avvoka Work-in-Word add-in is a JavaScript-based Microsoft Word Add-in built using the Microsoft Office Add-ins platform.
The add-in runs inside Word’s embedded web browser and connects securely to the user’s Avvoka environment.
Key components of the architecture include:
Manifest file – An XML file used to install the add-in and configure how Word loads the application.
Embedded browser – Word hosts the add-in inside a built-in browser (typically Chromium-based WebView2).
Server connection – The manifest directs Word to the organisation’s Avvoka server URL.
Authentication – Users authenticate via Avvoka’s standard authentication model, including support for Single Sign-On (SSO) where enabled.
User permissions within the Word add-in mirror the permissions configured in the Avvoka web application.
Troubleshooting
Centralised Deployment (Microsoft 365)
Issue: Unable to upload manifest file
Confirm you have the required administrator permissions (e.g. Global Admin)
Ensure your Microsoft 365 environment supports centralised add-in deployment
Issue: Add-in not visible in Word
Fully close and restart Microsoft Word
Allow time for the deployment to propagate (this can take several hours, and in some cases up to 24 hours)
Issue: Add-in still not visible after 24 hours
Verify the add-in has been assigned to the correct users or groups
Ensure the user is signed into Word with the correct Microsoft account
Local Installation (Windows)
Issue: Unable to configure shared folder (Advanced Sharing)
Administrator permissions may be required to enable folder sharing
Issue: “Add-ins” option not visible in the ribbon
Go to File → Options → Customise Ribbon
Locate the Add-ins option (typically under the Insert tab) and enable it
Issue: Add-ins button is disabled
This may be restricted by permissions or IT policy
Issue: Unable to add a trusted location
Ensure that Allow Trusted Locations on my Network is enabled
Issue: Trusted locations setting is disabled (greyed out)
This is likely controlled by your organisation’s IT policy and may require administrator access
Post Installation
Issue: Error message when opening the add-in
Check whether any organisational policies restrict third-party add-ins
Confirm that Word can access the internet (e.g. no VPN, proxy, or firewall blocking requests)
Issue: Add-in loads but appears blank
Verify that your version of Word is supported