Microsoft Word can help you create any kind of professional documents, e-books, pie charts and more. But sometimes the features in Microsoft word are quite limited. This is when Microsoft Word add-ins can help to assist you accomplish some repetitive or difficult tasks easily.
What is Microsoft Word Add-In?
A Microsoft Word Add-In is an extension created by either Microsoft or 3rd party programmers. It helps you eases the process of what you are doing, and it even makes Microsoft Word more user-friendly. For example, Grammarly add-in can help you fix your grammar so that you don’t end up sending an embarrassing letter to your boss or clients.
How to install Microsoft Word Add-In?
Once you’ve decided an add-in you want to install, follow these steps below.
- Open a Word document.
- In the main menu on top, find the Insert tab.
- Under Insert, select Add-Ins.
- This will take you to the Office Add-Ins menu.
- When you find a plugin you like, click Add to install it to your Word. You can then review the plugins you have already added in the same menu under My Add-Ins.
Here is a list of Microsoft Add-ins that we tried and deemed the most useful.
1. LucidCharts
LucidCharts is the industry standard for making diagrams and flow charts. It is a great add-in for presenting complex ideas in a simple way. You can use the library of shapes and lines to quickly create your own diagrams. You can’t overlook LucidCharts when it comes to sales and marketing. LucidCharts can practically improve your presentations to your clients.
PROS:
- Easy to learn
- User-friendly chart creation
- Preconfigured templates for quick us
CONS:
- Sharing option needs improvements
- Scaling a large flow chart could be challenging
2. Grammarly
Grammarly is a popular add-in that suggests and corrects the grammar of your document. It also scores your writing whether it is below standard or above it. It’s a well-known add-in and there is even an add-in on browsers as well. This is the most useful add-in for us.
PROS:
- User-Friendly correction user interface
- Scans the entire document for mistakes
CONS:
- It identifies grammatically correct sentences as incorrect.
3. MyScript Math Sample
MyScript Math Sample is an add-in that can insert mathematical equations into your document. This is perfect for Math Teachers and professors wanting to include equations in their lectures.
PROS:
- User-Friendly user interface
CONS:
- Does not recognize equation if drawn incorrectly
4. Wikipedia
Wikipedia itself is a fairly known website that lists every information possible. This add-in lets you quote related information from Wikipedia. The Wikipedia add-in automatically searches Wikipedia topics based on your selection in a word document and displays results in a task pane. The content in the task pane is organized in sections for easy navigation, and you can choose to view both text and images, or only images.
PROS:
- User-Friendly interface
- Responsive
CONS:
- Does not work offline
5. Content Quality & SEO Optimizer
Content Quality & SEO Optimizer is an add-in that scores the readability of your content. It has a list of variables that indicates whether your content passes that variable or might need improvements in that area. It scores the SEO and content part of your document separately to know what needs to improve.
PROS:
- List of variables to improve on
- Informative feedback for your content
CONS:
- Does not work offline
6. Copyleaks Plagiarism Checker
Copyleaks is an add-in that checks your document for plagiarism. Copyleaks copyright infringement detector helps teachers, students, bloggers, writers, and other content-creators assess content originality using the most sophisticated content detection algorithms. This add-in makes sure that your content is original by easily scanning essays, term papers, or thesis for plagiarism.
PROS:
- User-friendly interface
- Complete results
- Multiple language support
CONS:
- Does not work offline
7. Pro Word Cloud
Pro Word Cloud is an add-in that lets you change the visualization of the text you have inputted. It can change the angle, color, format and makes the text you find boring and dull into a visually pleasing text cloud.
PROS:
- User-Friendly
8. Read My Document
Read My Document add-in reads the content you have written on your document. It’s basically a google translate on Microsoft Word. It’s great to use when you have something else to do and you want to have someone reading the content you have made.
PROS:
- User-Friendly
CONS:
- Not great for private content as it sends it to the servers via the internet
9. Pexels – Free Stock Photos
Pexels add-in offers a variety of photos of the internet that is free to use. It’s really great for students and teachers alike that use Microsoft Word and use a lot of images. There are a lot of images offered and you can search for the specific image you want.
PROS:
- Save Image on Microsoft Word
- Search feature
CONS:
- Does not work offline
10. iWRITER
iWRITER add-in lets you create a template of your own. It offers a variety of features that makes your document original and scream brand identity. You can also insert signatures and make documents look and feel like a professional. It offers a user-friendly interface, automates your corporate style and can be shared with multiple people. This add-in is perfect for starting companies and even successful ones as a great tool will always be of great help.
PROS:
- User-friendly
- Save templates to One Central point
- Digital Workspace
CONS:
- Does not work offline