Skip to main content

Add-in not working (GPT for Excel)

Error loading Add-Ins

Problem: The GPT for Excel sidebar fails to load, or remains blank.

Solutions
  • In the desktop version of Excel, open the menu to the right of the sidebar (Windows) or click the info icon (macOS), then click Reload.

    Reload add-in in the sidebar
  • Restart Excel, create a new workbook, and launch the add-in again by selecting Home > GPT for Excel Word.

  • Refresh the add-ins:

    1. On the ribbon, select Home > Add-ins > More Add-ins. The Office Add-ins dialog opens.

    2. Select the My Add-ins tab.

    3. Click Refresh.

      Refresh the list of add-ins in the My Add-ins tab
  • Uninstall and reinstall the add-in.

  • Clear the Office cache, and then uninstall and reinstall the add-in again:

    1. Clear the Office cache:

    2. Uninstall the add-in.

    3. Reinstall the add-in.

If the issue persists, contact support.

Add-in command is grayed out

Problem: The GPT for Excel Word command is grayed out and unclickable on the ribbon when you open Excel. You cannot open the add-in.

Solutions
  • Open the add-in from the Add-ins menu: Select Home > Add-ins > My Add-ins > GPT for Excel Word.

  • Open the add-in from the Office Add-ins dialog: See the solution for Add-in command becomes grayed out after click.

  • The add-in only works with .xlsx files. Convert legacy files like .xls, .ods, or .csv to .xlsx files.
  • Remove any document protection:

    • Excel on macOS: In the macOS Dock, select Tools > Protect Document.

    • Excel on Windows: In the menu bar, select File > Info > Protect Workbook > Protect Current Sheet. Remove all restrictions.

  • Disable other add-ins temporarily:

    • Excel on macOS:

      1. On the ribbon, select Home > Add-ins > More Add-ins. The Office Add-ins dialog opens.

      2. Select the My Add-ins tab.

      3. Hover over an add-in and open its Options menu ().

      4. Select Remove to disable the add-in.

      5. Repeat for each add-in you want to disable.

      6. Restart Excel.

    • Excel on Windows:

      1. In the menu bar, select File > Options.

      2. In the options sidebar, select Add-ins.

      3. In the Manage dropdown menu, select COM Add-ins and click Go.

      4. Uncheck all the boxes to disable the add-ins.

      5. Click OK.

      6. Restart Excel.

  • If you're using Excel in Safe Mode, restart it in standard mode. Safe Mode disables all add-ins, including GPT for Excel.

  • Reinstall the add-in directly from Excel if it was installed from a web browser. Browser installations may not work with older Microsoft Office versions.

  • Try repairing Microsoft Office:

    • macOS:

      1. Quit all Office apps.

      2. Open Finder and select Applications.

      3. Locate Microsoft Excel.

      4. Drag it to the Trash.

      5. Open the App Store and reinstall Office (or download it again from your Microsoft 365 account at https://portal.office.com).

    • Windows:

      1. In the Windows Start Menu, select Settings.

      2. In the settings sidebar, select Apps > Installed apps.

      3. Find your Office installation, open its More options menu (), and select Modify.

      4. Select Quick Repair and click Repair.

      5. If Quick Repair does not work, try Online Repair.

If the issue persists, contact support.

Add-in command becomes grayed out after click

Problem: The GPT for Excel Word command becomes grayed out and unclickable after you click it on the ribbon. The add-in does not open.

Solution

Open the add-in from the Office Add-ins dialog:

  1. On the ribbon, select Home > Add-ins > More Add-ins. The Office Add-ins dialog opens.

  2. Select the My Add-ins tab.

  3. Click Refresh.

    Refresh the list of add-ins in the My Add-ins tab
  4. Double-click GPT for Excel Word, or select GPT for Excel Word and click Add.

If you're a Microsoft 365 admin on a business subscription, you can also try opening the add-in from the Admin managed tab instead of the My Add-ins tab.

If the issue persists, contact support.