Get Add-ins for PowerPoint

by Stephanie Hutcheson, MCT

Updated November 28, 2023

Extend the power of your Microsoft Applications by using the Add-ins feature.  Add-ins are supplemental programs that add custom commands or custom features to Office programs.

You can obtain add-ins for PowerPoint at Popular Office downloads (A Microsoft Site) or on third-party vendor websites. If you are a developer, you can write your own custom add-in programs by using Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).

Get a PowerPoint add-in

  1. Choose Home→Add-ins→Add-ins→Browse Add-ins
  2. Browse Apps for ideas OR Search for a Specific app such as Poll apps or Timer apps.
  1. Read the reviews! I use the Breaktime Timer
  2. Choose Add; You may have to agree to the License terms and Privacy policy
  3. NOTE:  Some apps are free; some are not 😉
  4. Follow instructions for signing up for the app

Use the PowerPoint add-in

Home→Add-ins→Add-ins→My Add-ins

Select your Add-in and start using.

Note:  Sometimes I need to search to find out from others how to best use an Add-in.

Add a PowerPoint add-in that you downloaded or someone sent you

  1. If you download an add-in or if a co-worker or friend sends you an add-in, you can save it to your computer and then install the add-in by adding it to the Available Add-Ins list.
  2. Click the File tab, and then click Options.
  3. In the Options dialog box, click Add-Ins.
  4. In the Manage list at the bottom of the dialog box, click PowerPoint Add-ins, and then click Go.
  5. In the Add-Ins dialog box, click Add New.
  6. In the Add New PowerPoint Add-In dialog box, browse for the add-in that you want to add, and then click OK.
  7. A security notice appears. If you are certain that the add-in comes from a trusted source, click Enable Macros, and then click Close.

Load a PowerPoint add-in

  1. When you load an add-in, you start the add-in that you added to PowerPoint.
  2. Click File→Options, and then click Add-Ins.
  3. In the Manage list, click PowerPoint Add-ins, and then click Go.
  4. In the Available Add-Ins list, select the check box next to the add-in that you want to add, and then click Close.
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