Buzz
Microsoft Word is an excellent tool for crafting professional text documents. Even if you haven't used it before, you can easily create respectable documents without needing any specific skills or knowledge. Word inherently comes with all the essential elements for users to work on documents.
Explore the Best Add-ins for Word.
However, you can expand its capabilities by installing useful add-ins, such as a plugin that helps enhance your writing or a plugin that integrates image-sharing services into Word. Check out these 7 Handy and Best Add-Ins for Word below to elevate your text editing experience.
7 Useful Add-Ins for Word
1. Wikipedia
While Wikipedia may not be considered the most reliable source for information, it remains one of the largest open-source encyclopedias you can explore online. And it can be handy when acting as a widget alongside your text.
Explore Wikipedia articles by entering keywords into the search bar or simply by highlighting a word or phrase in your document, and the plugin will automatically pull up a relevant article. While you can't contribute to Wikipedia while using this add-in, gaining additional knowledge on the topic you're working on can be a welcome addition.
2. Excel-to-Word Document Automation
This Word add-in allows you to link Excel and Word documents to connect and exchange data between them without the need for manual copying.
Now, if you need to update a Word document with Excel data, you can paste it directly from the spreadsheet into the Word file. And it will look more polished than trying to insert an Excel spreadsheet into a Word document. The types of data you can link include text, lists, tables, images, and charts.
3. MyScript Math Sample
MyScript Math Sample is a handy Word add-in if you frequently use equations while working in Word, especially if you don't want to spend time searching Word's equation collection for the appropriate formula.
To add an equation, you simply write it in the plugin window using your mouse or finger. This Word add-in will recognize mathematical symbols and automatically convert it into a typeset equation.
4. Vertex42 Template Gallery
Word Add-in: Vertex42 can enhance your efficiency and save you more time. It offers a range of templates not readily available in Word. The templates in Vertex42 are organized by category. You can browse over 300 templates catering to various purposes, from budgeting to workout logs.
5. Pixabay Images
Pixabay is a website for free image sharing with one of the largest Creative Commons image repositories. You can find anything from classic photos, vector images, to illustrations and even some movie scenes in their database. All useful when working on a presentation or a brochure in Word.
To access the entire Pixabay catalog, install the Pixabay Images plugin and then enter the image reference in the search bar.
6. Consistency Checker
Consistency Checker is a must-have Microsoft Word add-in if you want to write with finesse. It's not just a spell checker. This Word add-in promises to uncover errors in the text that 'no grammar tool can find.'
In addition to grammar and spelling, the plugin checks the consistency of the article. This includes the use of numbers in sentences, different international writing styles, hyphenation, and more. If you're writing a formal document, the add-in will detect any abbreviations you use and suggest you write them in full. In the end, your text will be meticulously edited and ready to send or use.
7. I Should Be Writing
I Should Be Writing is a simple productivity plugin, an add-in for Word. It combines the features of both a timer and a word counter, designed to make your text more efficient.
Switch it to a countdown mode if you're racing against a deadline. Or turn it into a word count mode for added motivation. After your writing is complete, you can view statistics about your own work and analyze your results.
Where to Find Word Add-ins?
If you decide to enhance Word's functionality by installing add-ins, you don't have to struggle to find them. You can browse all add-ins in the official Microsoft Office store. There, you can read information about each plugin before deciding to add it to Word.
How to Install Word Add-ins
After selecting the desired Word add-in, follow these steps to install it:
- Open a Word document.
- In the main ribbon menu, click on the Insert tab.
- Below the Insert tab, select Add-ins.
- This will take you to the Office Add-Ins menu.
- Once you find the preferred add-in, simply click Add to install it in Word. You can then review the added plugins in the same menu under My Add-Ins.
Learning how to maximize the potential of every software can make your life easier and enhance the overall user experience. And the Word add-ins introduced above can take your work to an entirely new level.
