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This is one of our JavaScript add-ins, and it is the one we recommend you deploy.Draftable’s older COM add-ins carry confusingly similar names — the MSI installs them as Draftable for Outlook, Word and Excel — so it is easy to mistake one generation for the other. This article covers the modern JavaScript add-in, which you deploy centrally through Integrated apps in the Microsoft 365 admin center.Use the JavaScript add-ins wherever your environment allows it, and avoid the COM add-ins unless you have no alternative. See COM add-ins vs JavaScript add-ins if you are not sure which your organization is running.
This guide provides step-by-step instructions for Microsoft 365 administrators to deploy the Draftable in Outlook JavaScript add-in organization-wide.
Remote desktop, Citrix, and RDP environments are supported from add-in version 2.62.0.1 onwards.
In Chrome 142 or later, Microsoft 365 in the browser can block the add-in from connecting to Draftable Desktop. If Chrome asks for permission to access devices on your local network, allow it. If the add-in shows a browser compatibility message, use Microsoft Edge or the Office desktop application instead.

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Overview

Draftable in Outlook allows users to run Draftable comparisons directly from Outlook, with specialized features for comparing email attachments and accessing comparison tools from your inbox. Key Features:
  • File selection: Full side pane with file selection functionality, including recently compared files, email attachments (including DMS links), files from iManage, NetDocuments, SharePoint and other DMS systems
  • Inline attachment access: Browse and select email attachments and DMS links directly from the comparison interface, with automatic validation and version selection
  • Profiles: Ability to select from the user’s Draftable profiles (rendering sets)
  • Comparison type selection: Choose between redline, tracked changes, or side-by-side comparison types
  • Message read and compose modes: Works seamlessly in both reading and composing emails
  • Viewer: Option to open comparisons in Draftable’s rich viewer experience, with export to email, DMS, and more
  • Next actions: Direct access to complete workflow actions including open, save to DMS, print, email, or copy to clipboard

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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.

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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.
2
Click Upload custom apps.

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2. Upload the Draftable in Outlook Add-in

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Under App type, select Office Add-in from the dropdown menu.
2
Copy the manifest URL from the Draftable in Outlook card in the Draftable Office add-in deployment guide, and paste it in as a link. The card always shows the current release and the version of Draftable it needs. If your users’ computers cannot run that version of Draftable yet, update Draftable first, or deploy an earlier release from Older versions if the card lists any.
The manifest on the card is pinned: it stays on its release until you deploy a newer one from the same card. If your tenant is pinned to an earlier version such as 2.64.0.1 or 2.69.0.0, it stays on that release until you update the deployment to 2.71.0.0 using the card. If the card also offers a latest manifest, that one updates automatically within the same major version when deployed as a link.
3
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.
  • Choose whether the add-in should be automatically installed or available for users to install manually.
Deployment methods:
  • Fixed - Add-in is automatically installed and users cannot remove it
  • Available - Add-in is available for users to install from their Office apps
  • Optional - Add-in is automatically installed but users can remove it

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4. Accept Permissions

Review the requested access and follow any permission prompts shown by the Microsoft 365 admin center.

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Required permissions

The manifest requests ReadWriteItem access to the current email and its attachments. Review the permissions shown in the Microsoft 365 admin center when deploying the add-in.

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5. Finish Setup

Once permissions are approved and the app is assigned to your selected users, the Draftable in Outlook Add-in will be available within Outlook.
Please note: The Application installation and update can take up to 72 hours. In most cases, it appears within minutes. For more information about it, please visit Microsoft Documentation - Deploy add-ins in the admin center - Microsoft 365 admin | Microsoft Learn
We recommend that if the Add-in hasn’t been deployed in this time, you should get users to restart Outlook and their Machine to prompt the Add-in to be added.

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6. Verify Deployment

  1. Open Outlook
  2. Go to the Home tab
  3. Look for the Draftable section in the ribbon
  4. The add-in buttons should appear in the ribbon or under My Add-ins

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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 Office applications
  • Check that users have active Microsoft 365 subscriptions with Office apps
  • Ensure users are signed in with their organizational account
  • Ensure you copied the complete URL without extra spaces or line breaks
  • Verify the 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’s reachable
  • Return to Integrated apps in the Admin Center
  • Find the existing Draftable add-in in the list and click on it
  • Look for an Update option and provide the new manifest URL
  • The updated version will roll out to users automatically
  • Users may need to restart Office apps to see the update
  • Go to Integrated apps in the Admin Center
  • Click on the Draftable add-in
  • Select Remove or Delete
  • Confirm the removal
  • The add-in will be removed from users’ Office apps within 24 hours

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Need Help?

If you experience issues with deployment or setup, please contact support@draftable.com.