MS Word: Add-ins Group in the Insert Tab to My Add-ins

Microsoft Word is more than just a writing tool—it’s a flexible and extensible productivity platform. One of the key ways to customize Word to fit your personal or professional needs is through Office Add-ins. Located in the Insert Tab → Add-ins Group → My Add-ins, this feature provides direct access to the Add-ins you've already installed or have been deployed by your organization.

In this comprehensive article, we’ll cover:

• What My Add-ins in Word is used for

• How to access and use installed Add-ins

• How to manage Add-ins from Word’s Options (Manage Add-ins window)

• Common Add-in management scenarios

• Troubleshooting tips

• Security considerations

What is “My Add-ins” in Microsoft Word?

My Add-ins is your personal library of Office Add-ins that are either:

• Installed directly by you from the Office Add-ins Store

• Automatically deployed by your organization (IT admin)

• Sideloaded for testing (by developers)

This feature allows you to easily:

• Launch existing Add-ins

• Pin/unpin them to the ribbon

• Remove or disable Add-ins you no longer use

• Add new ones from various sources (Store, shared folders, networks)

How to Access “My Add-ins” in Microsoft Word

To access your current list of installed Add-ins:

1. Open Microsoft Word.

2. Click the Insert tab in the ribbon.

3. In the Add-ins group, select My Add-ins.

A pop-up window will open showing:

• Recently Used Add-ins

• My Organization (Add-ins pushed by your company or school)

• Shared Folder or Network Add-ins (for sideloaded or test Add-ins)

You can click any listed Add-in to launch it. If it includes a task pane (e.g., Wikipedia, Grammarly), it will appear on the side of your document.

Managing Add-ins from Word Options

In addition to using the Insert tab, you can manage Add-ins from Word’s main settings area:

1. Go to File → Options.

2. Click on Add-ins in the left-hand panel.

3. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see a dropdown labeled Manage.

4. Choose from:

   • COM Add-ins

   • Word Add-ins

   • Disabled Items

5. Click Go… to:

   • Enable or disable Add-ins

   • Remove problematic or unused ones

   • Re-enable disabled Add-ins that caused crashes

Note: “COM Add-ins” are installed at a deeper level (often by software installers or admins), while “Word Add-ins” are usually web-based and appear in the My Add-ins list.

Actions You Can Perform in “My Add-ins”

Action	Description
Launch Add-in	Click the title to open and use the Add-in (e.g., task pane opens).
Remove	Click the “...” (more actions) next to the Add-in name, then choose “Remove.”
Add from Store	Open the Office Add-ins Store to browse new tools.
Add from File/Shared Folder	Install custom or developer Add-ins hosted locally or on a network.
Pin to Ribbon	Some Add-ins offer ribbon integration. You can pin them for easier access.

Common Use Cases

• Quickly reopening tools like Grammarly, Wikipedia, or Adobe Sign.

• Accessing organization-deployed tools for HR, legal, or internal documentation.

• Testing custom or beta Add-ins developed by your company or a third party.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

“My Add-ins list is empty”

Solution: Ensure you're logged into Word with the same Microsoft account you used to install the Add-ins.

“Installed Add-in not working or responding”

Solution: Go to File → Options → Add-ins → Manage: Word Add-ins, then disable and re-enable the tool.

“Add-in crashes Word or causes slow performance”

Solution: Disable it via the Manage Add-ins window, or look under Disabled Items and remove it completely.

“Can’t remove organization-deployed Add-in”

Solution: Contact your IT admin. Some Add-ins are managed centrally and cannot be removed by the user.

Security & Privacy Tips

• Only install Add-ins from the official Microsoft Office Add-ins Store.

• Always review permissions before confirming installation.

• Don’t share sensitive data through third-party Add-ins unless they’re trusted and secure.

• Regularly review and remove Add-ins you no longer use.

Tip: Combine “My Add-ins” with Quick Access Toolbar

To speed up your workflow:

1. Right-click on a frequently used Add-in button.

2. Choose Add to Quick Access Toolbar.

3. Access it from the top of your Word window—fewer clicks, more efficiency.

Conclusion

The My Add-ins feature in the Insert Tab of Microsoft Word is your control panel for managing installed Add-ins. Whether you're launching grammar tools, inserting stock images, signing documents, or citing research, this feature puts essential productivity boosters right at your fingertips.

Combined with the Add-ins management panel in Word Options, you have full control over how you extend and streamline your Word experience.