This guide is for Microsoft 365 admins who want SimpleGantt available to a team or the whole organization without every user installing it. It uses Microsoft’s standard centralized deployment; nothing is installed on the devices.
SimpleGantt is listed on Microsoft Marketplace, so you deploy it straight from the store. Microsoft changes the admin center from time to time; if a label looks different in your tenant, search Microsoft’s documentation for “Deploy Office Add-ins in the Microsoft 365 admin center”.
Before you start #
- You need an admin role that can manage integrated apps in the Microsoft 365 admin center.
- Users need Excel from Microsoft 365 on Windows or Mac, or Excel on the web, signed in with their work account.
- SimpleGantt is listed on Microsoft Marketplace, so you deploy it straight from the store; there is no manifest file to upload.
Deploy from Integrated apps #
- Sign in to the Microsoft 365 admin center (admin.microsoft.com).
- Go to Settings > Integrated apps (select Show all in the left navigation if you do not see Settings).
- Select Get apps to open Microsoft Marketplace.
- Search for SimpleGantt, select it, and accept the terms.
- Choose who gets it: Everyone, Specific users/groups, or Just me for a first test. Groups are the better choice, because people who join the group get the add-in automatically.
- Select Deploy and wait for the confirmation.
It can take up to 24 hours until the add-in appears for every user. Users may need to close and reopen Excel. Start with Just me or a pilot group, then widen.
What users see #
SimpleGantt appears among the admin-managed add-ins in Excel. Users insert a chart from the Add-ins menu on the Home tab, then choose Use selected data, a sample or a blank plan. There is no ribbon button, because each chart is its own object in the workbook.
Updates need nothing from you. The add-in’s code is served from addins.pythonandvba.com, so every user gets the current version the next time a chart loads.
Include readers #
Colleagues who only view or update plans never need a license, but they need the add-in to see the charts. Include them in the deployment group. Readers outside your organization add the add-in themselves or receive a PDF, PowerPoint or HTML export.
Licensing for teams #
Deployment makes the add-in available; a license unlocks the Pro features for the people who build and style charts. The Team license is a one-time purchase for up to 15 devices. Each author pastes the key once under More options > License. There is no sign-in, no account and no per-reader seat. Details are in Plans and licensing.
Security questions #
SimpleGantt draws charts inside Excel and never sends workbook data anywhere. It contains no macros and no telemetry. The only network request besides loading the add-in is the license check, which runs only on author actions and sends the key, an anonymous installation ID, the add-in version and a short platform name. The architecture, network and storage details are on the SimpleGantt security page, and the formal document is the privacy policy. For anything else, contact support.