VB.NET, C# Word addin / plugin example

Add-in Express Toys™ .NET
for Microsoft Word


Add-in Express Toys .NET is a free add-in that adds several useful features to Microsoft Word 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, and lower. It gives you an example of creating version-independent COM add-ins and shows how to build custom ribbon tabs, toolbars and menus, and how to access Microsoft Word objects. This sample Word plugin is based on Add-in Express for Office and .NET.

How Add-in Express .NET simplifies developing Word add-ins

Add-in Express is a .NET object library developing professional extensions for Microsoft Office in Visual Studio. It will help you to:

  • Create a COM add-in for Microsoft Word 2021 - 2000.
  • Add new or customize existing ribbon tabs.
  • Create new command bars, command bar controls and handle them.
  • Build the Quick Access Toolbar, customize the Office Menu for Microsoft Word 2007 and the Backstage View for Office 2010 - 2021.
  • Catch any built-in command bars and their controls.
  • Override Word events such as BeforeDocumentSave and BeforeDocumentClose.
  • Develop smart tag libraries.

Add-in Express uses the Word.Application object to give you an entry point to all Word objects and their events. It supports Visual Basic (VB.NET), C#, C++.NET. More about Office plugin development with Add-in Express.

Download Word add-in example

Note. Compiled binaries are not included in the packages of Add-in Express Toys containing the source code. You need Add-in Express for Office and .NET to compile this Word add-in.

Custom ribbon tab / toolbar added to Word

This sample Word plugin adds a new ribbon tab or toolbar with several controls:

Add-in Express Toys toolbar added to Word 2003

Add-in Express Toys tab added to Word 2013 ribbon

The buttons are:

Shows the About window.

Shows the About window of the Add-in Express Toys add-in.

The button scales the selected text vertically and horizontally.

Scales the selected text vertically and horizontally.

The button increases or decreases the space between characters.

Increases or decreases the space between characters.

The button raises or lowers the selected text relative to the baseline.

Raises or lowers the selected text relative to the baseline.

The button applies animation to the selected text.

Applies animation to the selected text.
See Also