We strongly recommend that you install our Word add-in. Our Word add-in includes tools and features that are not available from the website. In addition, it is more convenient to use the tools from Word and you are less likely to forget to use our tools before filing patent documents.
We have a version of our add-in for processing on Google Cloud (Patent Bots GCP) and a version for processing on Amazon Web Services (Patent Bots AWS). They provide the exact same functionality and the only difference is the cloud performing the processing.
Our add-in works on both Windows and Mac.
There are three ways to install our add-in:
- Your IT department can install for a group of users or for your whole firm using the Office admin center. See instructions here. The admin center may be accessed here or here.
- You can install for yourself within Word:
- Insert tab in the ribbon (some people may need the Developers tab instead)
- Add-ins button
- Get Add-ins.
- Search for Patent Bots
- Select the GCP or AWS version to install
- You can install for yourself from Microsoft AppSource (Patent Bots GCP and Patent Bots AWS). For this to work, you need to be using the same Microsoft account in your browser and in Word. Because Microsoft account management can be confusing, we recommend #2 above instead.
What if the Microsoft Store is blocked?
Some law firms and companies may block the Microsoft Store and this prevents individual users from installing add-ins.
Where the Microsoft Store is blocked for end users, your IT may still be able to install for your using technique #1 above. Please try that first.
If the Microsoft Store is blocked and your IT is not able to install using technique #1 above (e.g., you are using older Word, such as Word 2016), then your only option for installation is a process called "sideloading." Microsoft has instructions for sideloading add-ins. Sideloading is best done by your IT or by more tech savvy users.