Install the Spark Assistant

With the release of Coherent Assistant, Spark Assistant will not be receiving any further enhancements. We suggest users to use Coherent Assistant which has a new interface and helpful features.

The steps to enable the Excel add-in differ depending on the target operating system. For example, macOS users can only install the Assistant with their Office 365 accounts.

Deployment via Microsoft 365 (AppSource, Preferred)

The following instructions apply only to Microsoft 365 Administrators. Pre-requisite: To deploy Add-ins, you must be a Global Admin or Exchange Admin in your tenant.

1. Log in to the Microsoft 365 Admin Portal at https://admin.microsoft.com/Adminportal/Home#/Settings/IntegratedApps

1. Navigate to Integrated apps under Settings. Select Get apps.

2. Search for "Spark Assistant" and click Get it now.

3. Click Confirm to install.

1. Deploy the add-in to the entire organization or to a select group of users.

2. Click on Next, and Finish deployment.

3. Wait for the deployment to complete and click on Done.

4. Once deployed, you will see Spark Assistant in the list of Add-ins installed.

Deployment via Network Share (Windows only)

This method is unavailable for macOS; please deploy via Microsoft 365 Admin. Please reach out to customer support for the manifest file.

1. Add the manifest file to a folder on your local machine that can be shared.

2. Right-click the folder from the File Manager and click Properties.

3. Within the Properties dialogue box, open the Sharing tab and then click Share.

4. Add the usernames of the individuals you'd like to share the add-in with and provide the required access below.

5. Click Share.

6. Once you see the confirmation message, take note of the full network path displayed immediately after the folder name. You will need this in step 12.

7. Choose Done and close the Network Access dialogue box and Properties.

8. Open a Microsoft Excel document.

9. Choose the File tab and then choose Options.

10. On the left-hand menu of the modal that appears, choose Trust Center and then click Trust Center Settings.

11. Choose Trusted Add-in Catalogs.

12. In the Catalog URL box, add the network path from step 6. In case you have misplaced it, you can go back to the folder you created and get the path link from the Properties option inside the Sharing tab.

13. After adding the full path link, click Add catalog.

14. Select the Show in Menu checkbox for the newly added Add-in and then click OK.

15. Close all Microsoft Office applications.

16. In Excel, click the Files menu and choose Get Add-ins.

17. In the resulting Office Add-ins dialog box choose the Shared Folder tab.

18. Select the name of the add-in and choose Add to insert the add-in.

Reference: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/dev/add-ins/testing/create-a-network-shared-folder-catalog-for-task-pane-and-content-add-ins

If the Spark Assistant isn't visible when Excel is re-opened, from the ribbon, select Insert > My Add-ins > Shared Folder. Select Spark Assistant and click Add.

Standalone Installation for Users from AppSource

This method requires a Microsoft 365 account and won't work in Excel environments where web add-ins are blocked.

If administrators can't deploy the add-in, users can also install the Add-in for themselves from within Excel.

1. From the ribbon, navigate to Insert > Add-ins > Get Add-ins.

2. Office Add-ins will open a new window.

3. Select STORE, search for Spark Assistant, and click Add to install.