Deploying the Outlook Add-in

Learn how to deploy the fixSignatures Outlook add-in to your organization using Microsoft 365 Centralized Deployment.

Deployment Options

fixSignatures provides two ways to deploy the Outlook add-in:

Method	Best For	Description
Direct URL (Recommended)	Production deployments	Add-in updates automatically when we release new versions
Download XML	Testing or air-gapped environments	Manual control over add-in version; requires re-upload for updates

Getting Your Manifest

1. Log in to your fixSignatures dashboard
2. Navigate to Settings → Microsoft 365 Setup
3. Scroll down to the Outlook Add-in Deployment section
4. You’ll see both options:
   • Direct URL – Copy this URL for centralized deployment
   • Download File – Click to download the manifest.xml file

Centralized Deployment (Recommended)

Centralized Deployment through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center is the recommended method for organizations. It allows administrators to deploy add-ins to specific users or groups.

Step 1: Access Microsoft 365 Admin Center

1. Go to admin.microsoft.com
2. Sign in with your Microsoft 365 administrator account
3. In the left navigation, expand Settings
4. Click Integrated apps

Step 2: Upload the Add-in

1. Click Upload custom apps
2. Select Office Add-in as the app type
3. Choose Provide link to manifest file
4. Paste the Direct URL from your fixSignatures dashboard
5. Click Validate
6. Once validated, click Next

Step 3: Assign Users

1. Choose who should receive the add-in:
   • Just me – For testing
   • Entire organization – All users
   • Specific users/groups – Selected users or Microsoft Entra ID groups
2. Click Next

Step 4: Configure Permissions

1. Review the permissions the add-in requires
2. Click Accept permissions
3. Click Next

Step 5: Complete Deployment

1. Review the deployment summary
2. Click Finish deployment

User Sideloading (For Testing)

Individual users can sideload the add-in for testing purposes:

Outlook Web

1. Open outlook.office.com
2. Click the gear icon (Settings) in the top right
3. Click View all Outlook settings
4. Go to Mail → Customize actions
5. Under Add-ins, click Manage add-ins
6. Click + Add a custom add-in → Add from URL
7. Paste the Direct URL and click Install

Outlook Desktop

1. Open Outlook desktop application
2. Click File → Manage Add-ins (this opens in browser)
3. Follow the Outlook Web steps above

Verifying Deployment

To verify the add-in is working:

1. Open Outlook (web or desktop)
2. Click New Message to compose an email
3. Look for the fixSignatures icon in the compose toolbar
4. Your signature should automatically appear when composing new emails

Troubleshooting

Add-in not visible

• Wait 24-72 hours for Microsoft 365 propagation
• Try signing out and back in to Outlook
• Clear browser cache (for Outlook Web)
• Restart Outlook desktop application

Add-in shows error

• Verify the manifest URL is accessible (try opening it in a browser)
• Check that your fixSignatures subscription is active
• Ensure the user is enabled in fixSignatures

For more help, see Add-in Deployment Troubleshooting.