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Hosting Office Add-in Manifest.xml File in Cloud Storage Platforms like Google Drive

Bassem Shaker 0 Reputation points
2023-06-27T16:02:34.8933333+00:00

Is it possible to host the Office Add-in Manifest.xml file in cloud storage platforms such as Google Drive , OneDrive or azure blob?

Even though I have shared the Manifest.xml files in both Google Drive and onedrive storage and manually added the shared URL to the Excel Trusted Add-in Catalogs, the add-ins do not display and it seems not working.

Office Development
Office Development
Office: A suite of Microsoft productivity software that supports common business tasks, including word processing, email, presentations, and data management and analysis.Development: The process of researching, productizing, and refining new or existing technologies.
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  1. Khaled Elsayed Mohamed 1,330 Reputation points
    2023-07-06T09:43:47.5333333+00:00

    Hi BS

    Yes, but there are certain considerations and limitations when using these platforms to host the manifest file for Office Add-ins.

    1. Google Drive: While it is technically possible to store the Manifest.xml file in Google Drive, it may not be directly supported as a hosting platform for Office Add-ins. Google Drive is primarily designed for file storage and sharing, and it may lack certain features and configurations required for hosting add-ins. It is recommended to use dedicated hosting platforms like Azure Blob storage or SharePoint for hosting Office Add-ins.
    2. OneDrive: OneDrive can be used to host Office Add-ins, but there are some limitations and considerations. You need to ensure that the OneDrive link you provide for the manifest file is publicly accessible, and the shared link is in a format that is compatible with the Trusted Add-in Catalogs in Excel. Additionally, be aware that OneDrive links might change over time, and any change to the link can result in the add-in not being accessible. It is generally recommended to use dedicated hosting platforms designed for hosting add-ins.
    3. Azure Blob storage: Azure Blob storage is a reliable and recommended hosting platform for Office Add-ins. You can upload the Manifest.xml file to an Azure Blob storage container and make it publicly accessible. The storage container URL can then be used as the source for the add-in manifest in the Trusted Add-in Catalogs. Azure Blob storage provides robust features, scalability, and security for hosting add-ins.

    When hosting the Manifest.xml file, make sure to provide the direct link to the manifest file itself, rather than a link to a webpage or HTML representation of the file. The manifest file should be directly accessible as an XML file.

    It's worth noting that the Trusted Add-in Catalogs in Excel have specific requirements and restrictions on the hosting platforms. Ensure that you review and follow the guidelines provided by Microsoft for hosting Office Add-ins and configuring the Trusted Add-in Catalogs properly.

    If you continue to experience issues with the add-in not displaying or working correctly, it may be necessary to troubleshoot the manifest file itself or the add-in code. Checking the browser console for any error messages and verifying the correctness of the manifest file's content can help identify and resolve potential issues.

    If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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