What this is about

Quick note up front: this is not a traditional add-in with local installation. No MSI, no setup on each individual computer. You simply upload a so-called manifest file - or a link to it - centrally in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center. Microsoft takes care of the rest.

1. Open the Microsoft 365 Admin Center

Currently accessible at: https://admin.cloud.microsoft/

Note: Microsoft occasionally changes the URL. It used to be admin.microsoft.com. If the URL above doesn't work, just do a quick search for the current address. 

Sign in with an account that has admin rights.

2. Navigate to „Integrated apps“ 

a) In the bottom left menu, click "Show all" to expand the full menu.
b) Click on "Settings".
c) Select "Integrated apps".

3. Upload custom app

The button for this isn't located in the top right corner, but is somewhat hidden in the middle of the page.

4. Choose app type and upload manifest

In the dialog that opens:

a) Select the app type "Office Add-in" (not Teams Add-in).
b) Upload the manifest file (.xml) from your device or paste the link to the manifest file. We provide both.

Microsoft will briefly check the file for compliance. If successful, the status will appear in green: "Manifest file has been validated". 

Click "Next" to proceed to the next step.

5. Assign users

Define who should receive the add-in:
•    Just me: The person uploading the add-in gets access (provided they have a LAWLIFT license) — recommended for an initial test.
•    Entire organization: All users with a Word and LAWLIFT license will receive the add-in.
•    Specific users and groups: Selection from the groups or users set up in the admin area.

Make your selection and click "Next".

6. Accept permissions

The next step displays the permissions the add-in requires in order to work with text in Word. This is comparable to general terms and conditions and is necessary for the add-in to function. As an administrator, accept the permissions. 

A green checkmark will appear at the end. Click "Next" to continue.

7. Review and finalize deployment

In the summary, double-check: app name (LAWLIFT), assigned users, permissions. If everything looks correct, click "Finish deployment". Microsoft will now roll out the add-in. 

In our experience, this takes between one and five minutes.

8. Find the add-in in Word

Assigned users will find the add-in in Word under:

Home → Ribbon → "Add-ins" → LAWLIFT

If the add-in doesn't appear there yet even though the license has already been assigned: simply restart Word. This allows Word to fetch the latest permissions.

9. First login for users

On the first click on LAWLIFT, the add-in launches and prompts for the LAWLIFT username and password. After that, the add-in is ready to use.