GivingData has an add-in for Microsoft Word that lets users easily add merge fields into document templates.
The Microsoft Word Add-In should be installed on each user’s device who will be creating document templates. You may need the assistance of your IT team to complete this installation.
Before you begin the installation process below, please contact your Implementation Manager or Customer Success Manager to obtain the GivingData Word Add-in Manifest file that will be needed.
Note: You must use Office 2016 or later to install this Microsoft add-in.
1. Open the File Explorer. You can typically access it by clicking on the file icon on the toolbar at the bottom of your screen, or you can use the Search bar to search for It.
2. Within File Explorer, locate the “This PC” tab in the left-hand menu and click on it. Next, Double-click on the C:drive to open it. 
3. From within the C: drive you will need to add a new folder. To add a new folder, right-click on the empty space below the list of folders within the drive. Select “New” or “Add New” and then select “Folder.”
4. Rename the new folder you have created to “GivingData Word Manifest”. To rename the folder, you can right click on the folder name, select “Show more options,” then select “Rename.” The new folder will be added to the list of folders on your drive.
5. Open the folder you created and drag the manifest file (.xml file) that your GivingData Project Lead provided you into it. *If you do not have this file, please reach out out to GivingData Support.
6. Share the folder with yourself
Right click inside this folder and look for an option that says “Share” or “Give Access too” (this depends on which version of office you are using. Then click “Specific People”
Select your username and ensure it is highlighted in blue. Then, click “Share.”
In the next window that pops up, you will be given a file path for your manifest file. Right-click to copy the file path for use below in Step 5.
Note: The path will be in Universal Naming Convention format. UNC paths are written as server or host name, prefaced by \\ followed by the share name, separated from the host name by \, which are used to access network resources. For example - \\example_host_name\GivingData Word Manifest
Copy this entire file path. The image below has redacted the full file path for security purposes.
Loading the Manifest into Word
Now open the Word Application and continue on to the following steps -
1. Open a new Microsoft Word document and select the tab “File” from the top menu options.
- 2. Next, select “Options” from the left-hand menu.
- 3. Select “Trust Center” from the left-hand menu, then select “Trust Center Settings.”
- 4. Select “Trusted Add-in Catalogs.” (Do not select the “Add-ins”).
⚠️NOTE:: The Addin Catalog Url will auto convert the UNC path from \\example_host_name\GivingData Word Manifest to file://example_host_name/GivingData%20Word%20Manifest, to ensure the path follows a "file path" standard. This conversion is expected and necessary for the proper functioning of the Word add-in. You can proceed with the converted URL, as it will now correctly point to the manifest file in your local shared network location.
- 5. Paste or enter in the UNC file path that you copied earlier into the Catalog Url field exactly as the file path appeared in the File Explorer menu. Click the checkbox for “Show in Menu” then click “OK.”
- 6. CLOSE AND RELAUNCH THE WORD APPLICATION
- 7. Go to the Insert tab Click on “My Apps” (depending on your version of Word, this may be called “My Add-ins” and select “See All”
- 8. Click “Add-ins,” select “More Add-ins.”
- 9. Click on the Shared Folder and you should see GivingData’s logo
- 10. Double-click on the GivingData logo.
- The GivingData Word Add-In is now installed and will appear in the Word ribbon on the Home tab. Great work!
