FAQ: Sideload CloudExtend Excel Data Management for NetSuite

XLNS | Side loading CloudExtend Excel Data Management for NetSuite

Updated over a week ago

Sideloading of Apps should be used with caution and only upon the direction of CloudExtend sales or support. A common scenario where one would use sideloading would be to access a pre-release (Preview) version of our App. 

Sideloading instructions are different based on your OS. Instructions for Windows and Mac are provided below. Locate the section for your OS and then follow the instructions.

Latest Preview Build

Contact cloudextend-support@celigo.com for the latest preview build.

Microsoft Windows

Instructions below may also be found on Microsoft's website. We recommend checking there first as they may have updated not included below.

Here are the steps to sideload CloudExtend Excel Add-in on your Windows desktop

Step 1: Share a folder.

  1. On the Windows computer where you want to host your add-in, go to the parent folder, or drive letter, and create a folder there. 

  2. Open the context menu for the newly created folder (right-click) and choose Properties.

  3. Open the Sharing tab.

  4. On the Choose people ... page, add yourself and anyone else with whom you want to share your add-in. If they are all members of a security group, you can add the group. You will need at least Read/Write permission to the folder.

  5. Choose Share > Done > Close

Step 2: Specify the shared folder as a trusted catalog.

  1. Open a new document in Excel

  2. Choose the File tab, and then choose Options.

  3. Choose Trust Center, and then choose the Trust Center Settings button.

  4. Choose Trusted Add-in Catalogs.

  5. In the Catalog Url box, enter the full network path to the shared folder catalog, and then choose Add Catalog.

  6. Select the Show in Menu check box, and then choose OK.

  7. Close the Office application so your changes will take effect

Step 3: Add your manifest file to the shared folder.

  1. Put the manifest file provided by CloudExtend in the shared folder catalog.

Load the add-in in Excel

🚨 Important Sideloaded add-ins will not show up in the My Add-ins dialog box. They are only visible within the drop-down menu (small down-arrow to the right of My Add-ins on the Insert tab). Sideloaded add-ins are listed under the Developer Add-ins heading in this menu.


In Excel, choose (1) Insert > (2) My Add-ins >,  and then choose your add-in which should show under (3) Developer Add-ins

Apple Mac

Instructions below may also be found on Microsoft's website.

Step 1: Close Excel if it is open.

Step 2: Go to the following folder below where you'll save your add-in's manifest file. If the wef folder doesn't exist on your computer, create it.
/Users/<username>/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.Excel/Data/Documents/wef

Step 3: Copy your add-in's manifest file to this folder.

Load the add-in in Excel

Important Sideloaded add-ins will not show up in the My Add-ins dialog box. They are only visible within the drop-down menu (small down-arrow to the right of My Add-ins on the Insert tab). Sideloaded add-ins are listed under the Developer Add-ins heading in this menu.

In Excel, choose (1) Insert > (2)My Add-ins,  and then choose your add-in which should show under (3) Developer Add-ins

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