Skip to main content
The Puddin Microsoft Word add-in lets students write their assignments in Microsoft Word while Puddin captures the same writing process evidence it records in the browser. Keystrokes, paste events, edit sequences, and time-on-task are all captured within the Word environment, so students who prefer writing in Word do not need to switch to a different application. When they are ready, they submit their completed document directly through the add-in.
The Word add-in requires Microsoft Word for Windows or macOS (Microsoft 365 or Office 2019 and later). Word for the web (browser-based Word) is also supported. Word for iPad and Word for Android support depends on your organisation’s Microsoft 365 licence — check with your IT team if you are unsure.

​
How the add-in works

When a student opens a Puddin-enabled assignment from their LMS, they can choose to write in Word instead of the browser. The add-in connects to their Puddin session and begins recording evidence as soon as they start typing. The recording runs in the background while they work normally in Word — students can use all of Word’s standard features, including spell check, grammar suggestions, and formatting tools. When the student finishes, they submit through the add-in panel, sending both the document and the recorded evidence to Puddin.

​
Installing the add-in

Students and teachers can install the Puddin add-in directly from Microsoft AppSource without needing IT assistance.
1

Open Microsoft Word

Open Microsoft Word on your computer. You must be signed in to a Microsoft account or your institutional Microsoft 365 account.
2

Open the Add-ins store

In Word, go to the Insert tab on the ribbon and click Add-ins (or Get Add-ins, depending on your Word version). The Office Add-ins dialog opens.
3

Search for Puddin

In the search box, type Puddin and press Enter. The Puddin add-in appears in the results.
4

Install the add-in

Click Add next to the Puddin add-in, then click Continue on the permissions prompt. Word installs the add-in and a Puddin button appears on your ribbon, typically in the Home tab or a dedicated Puddin tab.
5

Sign in to Puddin

Click the Puddin button on the ribbon to open the Puddin task pane. Click Sign in and authenticate using the same credentials you use in your LMS (your institutional email address). If your LMS integration is active, you may be redirected to your institution’s login page.
The add-in is associated with your Microsoft account. If you sign in to Word on a different device with the same account, the add-in will be available there automatically — you do not need to reinstall it.

​
Starting a Puddin-enabled writing session in Word

1

Open your assignment from the LMS

Navigate to your assignment in your LMS (Moodle, Canvas, Blackboard, Brightspace, or Manaba) and click the Puddin assignment link. The Puddin session page opens in your browser.
2

Choose to write in Word

On the Puddin session page, click Open in Word. Word opens (or comes to the foreground if already open) with a new document ready for your assignment.
If Word does not open automatically, click the Puddin button on the ribbon manually, sign in if prompted, and then click Connect to session in the task pane.
3

Confirm the session is active

In the Puddin task pane on the right side of Word, confirm that the session status shows Recording. You will see the assignment name and a session timer. Puddin is now capturing your writing process.
4

Write your assignment

Write your assignment as you normally would in Word. You can use all of Word’s features — formatting, spell check, grammar tools, Track Changes, comments, and so on. Puddin records your writing activity in the background without interrupting your workflow.
Do not close the Puddin task pane while writing. Closing the task pane pauses evidence recording. If you accidentally close it, reopen it from the ribbon and click Resume session to continue.
5

Submit your work

When you are ready to submit, click Submit in the Puddin task pane. Puddin uploads your document and the recorded writing process evidence to your teacher’s dashboard. A confirmation message appears in the task pane when the submission is complete.
You can also submit from the Puddin session page in your browser if you prefer. Both methods send the same evidence.

​
Spell check and grammar tools

Students can use Word’s built-in spell check, grammar suggestions (including Microsoft Editor), and autocorrect while a Puddin session is active. These tools do not interfere with evidence recording. Puddin captures the student’s own writing process regardless of spell check corrections.

​
Offline writing

The add-in requires an internet connection to start a session and to submit. If you lose connectivity while writing, Word saves your work locally and Puddin queues your session data. When your connection is restored, open the Puddin task pane and click Sync session to upload any queued evidence. See FAQ: Does Puddin work offline? for more detail.

​
Troubleshooting

If the Puddin button does not appear on the ribbon after installation, try restarting Word. For IT-deployed add-ins, wait up to 24 hours for propagation before contacting your IT helpdesk. For a full list of common issues and solutions, see the Troubleshooting guide.