> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.puddin.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Write and Submit Assignments with the Puddin Word Add-in

> Install the Puddin Word add-in, sign in, and record your writing process in Microsoft Word — the same evidence as in the browser.

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.

<Info>
  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.
</Info>

## 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

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Self-Install (Microsoft AppSource)">
    Students and teachers can install the Puddin add-in directly from Microsoft AppSource without needing IT assistance.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Open Microsoft Word">
        Open Microsoft Word on your computer. You must be signed in to a Microsoft account or your institutional Microsoft 365 account.
      </Step>

      <Step title="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.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Search for Puddin">
        In the search box, type `Puddin` and press Enter. The Puddin add-in appears in the results.
      </Step>

      <Step title="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.
      </Step>

      <Step title="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.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    <Note>
      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.
    </Note>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="IT-Deployed (Centralised Deployment)">
    IT administrators can deploy the Puddin add-in to all users in the organisation through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center, so students receive it automatically without needing to visit AppSource.

    <Steps>
      <Step title="Sign in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Center">
        Open [admin.microsoft.com](https://admin.microsoft.com) and sign in with your global administrator or Exchange administrator credentials.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Navigate to Integrated Apps">
        In the left-hand navigation, go to **Settings → Integrated apps**. This is where you manage centrally deployed Office add-ins for your organisation.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Deploy the Puddin add-in">
        Click **Get apps** to open the AppSource search within the Admin Center. Search for `Puddin`, select the add-in, and click **Get it now**.

        On the deployment configuration screen:

        * Set the **Deployment method** to **Fixed** (recommended) so the add-in appears automatically for all assigned users without them needing to enable it.
        * Under **Assign users**, choose **Entire organisation** or select specific groups or users depending on your rollout plan.

        Click **Deploy**.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Wait for propagation">
        Centralised deployments can take up to 24 hours to appear in users' Word installations. Users do not need to take any action — the Puddin button will appear on their ribbon automatically after the propagation period.
      </Step>

      <Step title="Notify users">
        Send users a brief notification explaining that the Puddin add-in has been deployed and where to find it (the **Puddin** tab or **Home** tab on the ribbon). Direct them to sign in with their institutional credentials the first time they use it.
      </Step>
    </Steps>

    <Tip>
      Centralised deployment ensures all students have the add-in without any installation steps, which reduces support requests and ensures consistent version management. Microsoft automatically updates centrally deployed add-ins.
    </Tip>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Starting a Puddin-enabled writing session in Word

<Steps>
  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.

    <Note>
      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.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.

    <Warning>
      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.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="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.

    <Tip>
      You can also submit from the Puddin session page in your browser if you prefer. Both methods send the same evidence.
    </Tip>
  </Step>
</Steps>

## 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?](/core/faq) 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](/core/troubleshooting).