> ## 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.
# Using the Puddin Writing Environment: Browser and Word
> Learn to use the Puddin browser editor and Microsoft Word add-in, understand autosave and formatting tools, and manage interrupted sessions.
Puddin gives you two ways to complete your assignment: the browser-based writing editor and the Microsoft Word add-in. Both environments record your writing process in exactly the same way. Choose the one that works best for you — your teacher sees the same authorship evidence regardless of which you use.
## The browser-based writing editor
The browser editor runs directly in your web browser — no downloads or installations required. Open your assignment from your Puddin dashboard and it launches immediately.
### Editor layout
The editor is divided into two main areas:
* **Instructions panel (left)** — Displays the assignment instructions set by your teacher. You can collapse this panel if you need more writing space.
* **Writing area (right)** — The main document area where you write your assignment.
### Formatting tools
The toolbar above the writing area includes the formatting options available for your assignment:
| Tool | Function |
| ----------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Bold / Italic / Underline** | Standard inline text formatting. |
| **Headings** | Paragraph styles: Normal, Heading 1, Heading 2, Heading 3. |
| **Lists** | Bulleted and numbered lists. |
| **Alignment** | Left, centre, right, and justify. |
| **Undo / Redo** | Step backwards or forwards through your edits. |
Your teacher may restrict available formatting options for some assignments. If a tool appears greyed out, it has been disabled for that task.
### Word count
Your live word count is displayed at the bottom of the writing area and updates as you type. If your teacher has set a word count limit, the counter changes colour when you approach or exceed the limit — amber for near, red for over.
### Autosave
Puddin saves your work automatically every 60 seconds and whenever you pause typing for more than 5 seconds. You do not need to manually save. The **Last saved** timestamp at the top of the editor updates after each save.
You can safely close the browser tab and return to your assignment later — your work is saved and your session can be resumed from where you left off. Your writing record continues seamlessly across multiple sessions.
### If your session is interrupted
If your browser crashes, your internet connection drops, or you close the tab accidentally, your work up to the last autosave is preserved. When you reopen the assignment:
1. Go to your Puddin dashboard and click the assignment.
2. Click **Resume Writing** to continue from your last saved point.
3. Puddin resumes recording your writing process as a continuation of your existing session record.
If you lose connectivity for an extended period and cannot reconnect, work typed during that offline period may not be saved. Puddin requires an internet connection to save and record your writing. If you experience repeated connectivity issues, consider using the Microsoft Word add-in, which can queue saves and sync when connectivity is restored.
## The Microsoft Word add-in
The Puddin Word add-in integrates directly into Microsoft Word, letting you write in the familiar Word environment while Puddin records your writing process in the background.
### Install the add-in
In Microsoft Word, click **Insert** in the top menu bar, then select **Get Add-ins** (or **Office Add-ins** on some versions).
In the Office Add-ins store, search for **Puddin**. Click **Add** on the Puddin Writing Environment add-in, then click **Continue** to confirm.
The Puddin panel opens in the Word sidebar. Click **Sign In** and enter your Puddin credentials (or use your institutional SSO). The panel will display your available assignments once you're logged in.
The Word add-in is supported on Word for Windows (version 2016 or later) and Word for Mac (version 2019 or later). It is not available for Word on iOS or Android. If you are on an older version, use the browser editor instead.
### Start writing in Word
From the Puddin sidebar in Word, click **Open Assignment** next to the task you want to work on. A new document opens, pre-configured for your assignment. The Puddin sidebar shows the assignment instructions and your word count.
Write as you normally would in Word. Puddin records your writing activity through the add-in. The sidebar shows a **Recording** indicator while your session is active.
### Formatting in Word
All standard Word formatting tools are available. Use Word's built-in toolbar and ribbon as normal. Formatting changes are recorded as part of your writing history.
### Autosave in Word
The add-in saves your work and syncs your writing record to Puddin automatically. The sync status is shown in the Puddin sidebar — a green tick means your work is saved and synced; a spinning indicator means a sync is in progress.
Keep the Puddin sidebar open while writing. If you close it, recording pauses. Reopen it from **Insert → Add-ins → Puddin** to resume.
### If your session is interrupted in Word
If Word crashes or you close the document without submitting:
1. Reopen Microsoft Word.
2. Your document should reopen automatically (Word's autorecover feature). If it doesn't, find the file in your recent documents.
3. Open the Puddin sidebar (**Insert → Add-ins → Puddin**) and sign in if prompted.
4. Click **Resume Session** in the sidebar. Puddin re-establishes the recording connection and resumes from where you left off.
If you write in Word without the Puddin sidebar open and connected, that writing will not be recorded. Always confirm the **Recording** indicator is active in the sidebar before you begin writing.
### Submit from Word
When you are ready to submit, click **Submit Assignment** in the Puddin sidebar. Your document is uploaded to Puddin and your authorship record is sealed. See [Submitting Your Work](/core/student/submitting-work) for the full submission process.
## Recording in the background
In both environments, Puddin records your writing activity silently in the background. You don't need to do anything to start or manage recording — it begins when you open the assignment and continues until you submit or close the session.
Recording captures:
* Every character you type and delete
* Any text you paste in, along with the pasted content
* Your writing speed and pauses
* The start and end time of each session
Recording does **not** capture your screen, your camera, other browser tabs, applications running on your computer, or anything outside the Puddin writing area.
Your writing process record is used by your teacher to verify that you wrote your own assignment. It is private to your teacher and designated course reviewers — it is not shared outside your institution.