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This guide provides step-by-step instructions for Microsoft 365 administrators to deploy the Draftable Clean Outlook Add-in organization-wide.

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Overview

The Draftable Clean Outlook Add-in is a panel that runs directly inside Microsoft Outlook, automatically cleaning metadata from email attachments as users compose emails. Once deployed, the add-in appears in the Outlook ribbon and provides a seamless workflow for removing hidden metadata before sending. Key Features:
  • Automatic cleaning — Attachments are cleaned automatically as they are added to an email, with no manual steps required from the user
  • Domain-based profile selection — Cleaning profiles are applied automatically based on recipient email domains, with configurable rules for internal and external recipients
  • Per-file profile override — Users can override the cleaning profile for individual attachments (if enabled by the administrator)
  • Rename and reorder — Users can rename and reorder attachments directly in the add-in panel
  • Attachment list — Users can insert a formatted attachment summary (list or table) into the email body
  • Send protection — Configurable controls to block, prompt, or allow sending when attachments are still cleaning, tracked changes are detected, or unsupported file types are attached
  • Multi-language support — Available in English, Deutsch, Español, Français, 日本語, Nederlands, Polski, Português, Svenska, and Tagalog
The add-in runs automatically in the background once deployed — it monitors attachments as they are added to emails and can block or prompt on send based on your Send Protection settings. This means the add-in is active even if the user has not clicked the Draftable Clean button in the ribbon. Administrators should be aware of this when planning deployment and communicating changes to users.
The Draftable Clean desktop application must be installed on the user’s machine for the add-in to function. The add-in communicates with the desktop application via localhost. If the desktop application is not already running, the add-in will attempt to launch it silently in the background. See Deployment options for desktop application installation.

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Prerequisites

  • You must have admin privileges for Microsoft 365 (you will need a Microsoft 365 Business account)
  • Ensure your environment supports Office Add-ins via the Microsoft 365 admin center
  • The Draftable Clean desktop application must be installed on end-user machines
  • Corporate security tools must allow localhost network calls — the add-in communicates with the desktop application via localhost. See Network Requirements for details.

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Supported Outlook versions

The add-in requires Mailbox API 1.14, which means a fairly recent version of Outlook is needed:
Outlook versionSupported
Outlook on the webYes
New Outlook for WindowsYes
Classic Outlook on WindowsYes (some limitations on older builds)

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Step-by-Step Setup

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1. Go to the Integrated Apps Portal

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Visit the Integrated Apps section of the Microsoft 365 Admin Center.
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Click Upload custom apps.

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2. Upload the Draftable Clean Add-in

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Under App type, select Office Add-in from the dropdown menu.
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Download the latest manifest file from the Draftable Office Deployment Guide. This page always shows the current manifest URL with a copy button, ensuring you have the latest version.
The Draftable Clean Outlook Add-in does not auto-update. You will need to retrieve the latest manifest file from the deployment guide when you wish to update your version of the add-in.
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Upload the downloaded manifest file and click Validate.

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3. Configure Delivery to Users

You will be asked how the add-in should be deployed across your organization:
  • Assign to Entire organization, Specific users, or Groups depending on your use case.
All add-ins deployed via the Microsoft 365 admin center are automatically installed for the assigned users — users do not need to install the add-in manually.

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4. Accept Permissions

You will be prompted to accept and approve the required permissions on behalf of your users.

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Required Permissions Overview

Standard Microsoft consent prompts: The following prompts appear during deployment of all Office Add-ins and are not specific to Draftable Clean:
  • Sign in and read users’ basic profile information
  • Access user profile details including name, picture, username, and email address
  • Read basic company information for signed-in users
Add-in capabilities:
  • ReadWriteItem — Allows the add-in to read and write the contents of email messages and attachments, required for replacing attachments with cleaned versions
  • SendReceiveData — Allows the add-in to communicate with the Draftable Clean desktop application via localhost
  • ProfileAccess — Allows the add-in to read the user’s profile information
  • The app can launch itself when: the user sends a message, an attachment is added or removed from a message, and a recipient is added or removed from a message

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5. Finish Setup

Once permissions are approved and the app is assigned to your selected users, the Draftable Clean Outlook Add-in will be available within Outlook.
It can take up to 72 hours for the app to appear. Users may need to relaunch Microsoft 365 to view the add-in icon on the app ribbon. For more information, see the Microsoft documentation: Deploy add-ins in the admin center.

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6. Verify Deployment

  1. Open Outlook and compose a new email
  2. Look for the Draftable Clean button in the ribbon
  3. Click it — the Draftable Clean panel should appear on the right-hand side of the compose window

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Configuring the Add-in

Once deployed, the add-in’s behavior is controlled through the Settings > Add-In section of the Draftable Clean desktop application. Administrators can also manage these settings centrally using Group Policy or Microsoft Intune. Key settings include:
  • Profile Selection — Default cleaning profile and domain-based profile rules
  • Domain Rules — Map recipient domains to cleaning profiles (e.g. internal domains use Clean Draft, external domains use Standard Clean)
  • Send Protection — Control what happens when attachments are still cleaning, tracked changes are detected, or unsupported file types are attached
  • Attachment Summary — Default format (List or Table) when inserting an attachment list
See Configuring preferences for your organization for details on centrally managing these settings.

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Troubleshooting

  • Wait up to 72 hours for deployment to fully propagate
  • Verify users are in the correct security group (if using group-based deployment)
  • Have users restart their Outlook application and machine
  • Check that users have active Microsoft 365 subscriptions with Office apps
  • Ensure users are signed in with their organizational account
  • Verify the Draftable Clean desktop application is installed on the user’s machine
  • Ensure you downloaded the complete manifest file without corruption
  • Verify the download URL is accessible from your network (not blocked by firewall or proxy)
  • Check that dl.draftable.com is not blocked by your organization’s web filter
  • Try accessing the URL directly in a browser to confirm it is reachable
  • Ensure the Draftable Clean desktop application is installed and licensed on the user’s machine
  • The desktop application must be running for the add-in to function — it will attempt to launch it silently, but this may fail if the application is not installed
  • Check that the desktop application version is compatible with the add-in version
  • Verify that localhost network calls are not being blocked by corporate security tools, firewalls, or endpoint protection software — the add-in communicates with the desktop application via localhost
  • Download the latest manifest file from the manifest URL
  • Return to Integrated apps in the Admin Center
  • Find the existing Draftable Clean add-in in the list and click on it
  • Look for an Update option and provide the new manifest file
  • The updated version will roll out to users automatically
  • Users may need to restart Outlook to see the update
  • In the Draftable Clean desktop application, go to Settings > Troubleshooting
  • Click Clear add-in cache
  • Restart Outlook for the change to take effect
  • Go to Integrated apps in the Admin Center
  • Click on the Draftable Clean add-in
  • Select Remove or Delete
  • Confirm the removal
  • The add-in will be removed from users’ Outlook within 72 hours

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Need help?

If you experience issues with deployment or setup, contact the Draftable team at support@draftable.com.

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Next steps

Quick Start Guide

Learn how to use the Draftable Clean Outlook Add-in to clean your first email attachments.

Configuring preferences for your organization

Centrally manage add-in settings using Group Policy, Windows Registry, or Microsoft Intune.

Deployment options

Install the Draftable Clean desktop application required for the add-in to function.