Requesting Third-Party Microsoft Add-Ins

You can download and use Microsoft add-ins for Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. but you must follow University guidance and policy.

Why You May Encounter Issues Using Add-ins

The University of Minnesota's Office of Information Technology OIT does not provide support for third-party Microsoft add-ins that exist for products like Word, Excel, and Outlook. Additionally, The University of Minnesota’s environment does not have the infrastructure to enable features or manage access to add-ins. There are no plans to invest in this architecture.

The main reasons for this are rooted in security and system compatibility. Our University environment—including a wide variety of devices, account types, and compliance requirements—is unique. Many commercial add-ins are not designed to fully account for these factors. Consequently, a specific add-in may fail to install, launch, or function reliably based on your individual account profile or technology setup. At this time, Technology Help is not able to diagnose or remedy these issues because of the complexity involved.

Required Action to Use Microsoft Add-Ins

Any Microsoft add-in intended for use with University data or for University business must be formally approved.

Required action:

  1. Initiate the Software Review Process: Any desired Microsoft add-in must be taken through the standard software review process before being used. This process ensures the tool meets all security, accessibility, and legal requirements.
  2. Adhere to Policy: Use of any software must be in conjunction with the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources Policy and any other applicable guidelines, especially those concerning the security classification of the data you plan to use with the add-in.