Installation Guide

This guide explains how to install the ExForms Data Transfer add-in for Microsoft Excel. There are three installation methods:

Method 1: Microsoft Store (Recommended)

The easiest way to install the ExForms Data Transfer add-in is directly from the Microsoft Office Add-ins Store.

Direct links: open the Microsoft Marketplace listing (works on Windows, Mac, and Excel on the web), or use the one-click installer office.exceltoforms.com/install/exforms (choose Excel desktop or web). You can also search the Store from inside Excel, as shown below.

Step 1 – Open the Add-ins Menu

1. Open Microsoft Excel
2. Go to the Home tab in the ribbon
3. Click Add-ins (or Get Add-ins depending on your Excel version)

Step 2 – Search for ExForms

1. In the Office Add-ins dialog, click on Store
2. Type "ExForms Data Transfer" in the search box
3. Press Enter to search

Step 3 – Add the Add-in

1. Find ExForms Data Transfer in the search results
2. Click the Add button
3. Accept any permissions if prompted

Step 4 – Start Using ExForms

Once installed, you can access the add-in:

1. Go to the Data tab in Excel's ribbon
2. Click the ExForms Data Transfer button to open the task pane

✅ You're ready! Proceed to the Navigate the Add-in guide, the PDF Forms Guide, or the Word Documents Guide to start using ExForms.

Buying a plan: Microsoft or FastSpring

Installing the add-in is free. Advanced features run on a paid plan, and you can buy one two ways — pick the one that fits your account and region:

Not sure which to pick? If you sign in with a personal email, or your country isn't listed when you try to buy through Microsoft, use FastSpring — it works for any account, anywhere. Buy or manage a plan from your ExForms account (see pricing).

Method 2: Manual Installation (XML Manifest)

If the Microsoft Store is not available or you prefer manual installation, you can install the add-in using an XML manifest file. This method creates a shared folder on your local computer that Excel can recognize as a trusted add-in catalog.

📝 Note: Excel's Trust Center does not accept local file paths (like C:\folder), but it does accept shared folder paths (like \\YOURPC\folder). That's why we share the local folder—to get a network-style path.

Step 1 – Create an Add-In Folder

Create a folder on your local computer to store the add-in manifest.

Example:

C:\ExFormsAddin\

💡 Tip: Choose a location you won't accidentally delete.

Step 2 – Download the XML Manifest File

Download the ExForms manifest file:

Or copy this URL directly:

https://exceltoforms.com/ExFormOfficeAddInExcelUI.xml

Step 3 – Save the XML File

Save the ExFormOfficeAddInExcelUI.xml file in your Add-In folder:

C:\ExFormsAddin\ExFormOfficeAddInExcelUI.xml

Step 4 – Share the Folder

Share the folder to get a network-style path that Excel's Trust Center will accept.

1. Right-click the Add-In folder (e.g., C:\ExFormsAddin)
2. Click Properties
3. Go to the Sharing tab
4. Click the Share... button

5. In the dialog, select your username (or "Everyone" for simplicity)
6. Click Share, this will open the Share menu, you have to click Share in there:

Step 5 – Copy the Network Path

After sharing:

1. Open the folder's Properties again
2. Go to the Sharing tab
3. Copy the Network Path shown (e.g., \\YOURPC\ExFormsAddin)

📋 Save this path – you'll need it in the next step. The path will look like \\COMPUTERNAME\FolderName.

Step 6 – Open Excel Trust Center Settings

1. Open Microsoft Excel
2. Go to File → Options
3. Click Trust Center in the left sidebar
4. Click Trust Center Settings...

Step 7 – Add Trusted Add-in Catalog

1. In the Trust Center, click Trusted Add-in Catalogs
2. In the Catalog Url field, paste the network path you copied
3. Click Add catalog

Step 8 – Enable "Show in Menu"

1. Find the catalog URL you just added in the list
2. Check the Show in Menu checkbox next to it
3. Click OK

Excel will display a message that changes will be applied on the next restart.

Step 9 – Restart Excel

1. Click OK to close the Options dialog
2. Close Excel completely
3. Reopen Excel

Step 10 – Activate the Add-in

1. Go to the Developer tab in Excel's ribbon
2. Click Add-ins
3. Click Shared Folder
4. Select ExForms Data Transfer
5. Click Add

🔧 Don't see the Developer tab?

1. Go to File → Options → Customize Ribbon
2. In the right column, check Developer
3. Click OK

Step 11 – Start Using ExForms

The add-in is now installed! To use it:

1. Go to the Data tab in Excel's ribbon
2. Click the ExForms Data Transfer button to open the task pane

Method 3: Microsoft 365 Admin Center (Organization-Wide)

For organization-wide deployment, Microsoft 365 administrators can deploy the add-in centrally to all users without requiring individual installation.

Prerequisites

• Microsoft 365 administrator access
• Microsoft 365 Business or Enterprise subscription

Step 1 – Access the Admin Center

1. Go to admin.microsoft.com
2. Sign in with your Microsoft 365 admin account

Step 2 – Navigate to Integrated Apps

1. In the left navigation, expand Settings
2. Click Integrated apps
3. Click Get apps or Add-ins

Step 3 – Upload Custom App

1. Click Upload custom apps
2. Select Office Add-in
3. Choose Provide link to manifest file
4. Enter the manifest URL:

https://exceltoforms.com/ExFormOfficeAddInExcelUI.xml

5. Click Validate

Step 4 – Configure Deployment

1. After validation, click Next
2. Choose who should have access:
   • Everyone – All users in the organization
   • Specific users/groups – Select specific users or groups
3. Click Next

Step 5 – Review and Deploy

1. Review the deployment settings
2. Click Finish deployment
3. Wait for the deployment to complete (may take up to 24 hours to reach all users)

Step 6 – Users Access the Add-in

Once deployed, users will find the add-in:

1. Open Excel
2. Go to Home → Add-ins
3. Look under Admin Managed section
4. Click ExForms Data Transfer to activate

⏱️ Note: Centralized deployments may take up to 24 hours to appear for all users.

Troubleshooting

Add-in doesn't appear after installation

1. Restart Excel completely (close all Excel windows)
2. Check that the shared folder path is accessible (try pasting it in Windows Explorer)
3. Verify the XML file is in the shared folder
4. Confirm "Show in Menu" is checked in Trust Center

"We can't load the add-in" error

1. Check your internet connection (the add-in loads from a web server)
2. Verify your firewall allows connections to office.exceltoforms.com
3. Try clearing your Office cache:
   • Close Excel
   • Delete contents of: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Wef\
   • Reopen Excel

Shared folder path not working

1. Make sure the folder is actually shared (check Properties → Sharing tab)
2. The path should look like \\YOURCOMPUTERNAME\FolderName, not C:\FolderName
3. Try typing the path in Windows Explorer's address bar to verify it works
4. If sharing fails, try running Excel as Administrator

Admin Center deployment not appearing for users

1. Centralized deployments can take up to 24 hours
2. Users should check Home → Add-ins → Admin Managed
3. Verify the deployment status in the Admin Center
4. Users may need to restart Excel or sign out and back in

Next Steps

Now that the add-in is installed, learn how to use it:

• PDF Forms Guide – Fill PDF form templates with Excel data
• Word Documents Guide – Generate Word documents from templates
• Connectors Guide – Send data to databases and cloud services

Need Help?

If you encounter issues during installation:

• Email: [email protected]
• Documentation: Browse the guides in the sidebar