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How to Install Spellbook: Word, Associate & Google Docs

The master installation guide — set up Spellbook in Microsoft Word, Associate, and in Google Docs.

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Written by Eileen Lichtenstein

Everything you need to get Spellbook running — in Microsoft Word, Associate, and in Google Docs. Pick your platform below, or install all three.

Before you start, have these two things ready:

  1. Your work email address — use the same one everywhere so your account stays linked across platforms.

  2. Your license key — emailed by your Spellbook sales rep. Don't have it? Email success@spellbook.com

Table of contents

Install Spellbook in Microsoft Word

Spellbook is a Microsoft Word add-in. It works on both Windows and macOS, and there is no standalone desktop application.

Video guide

Install the add-in

Step 1 — On the Home tab of Word, click the far-right icon labelled Add-ins.

🚧 Don't see the Add-ins button, or getting a store error? Your MS Word store is likely disabled. See Troubleshooting → Enable the MS Word store.

Step 2 — Click More Add-ins.

Step 3 — Search for Spellbook in the Add-ins store, then click into it when it appears.

Step 4 — Click Add to install the Spellbook add-in.

Step 5 — Click Spellbook to open the side panel.

Create or sign in to your account

Step 6 — Click Create your account to begin registration.

Already have an account tied to an existing email? Skip to Step 8.

Step 7 — Fill in your details and click Continue. You can also continue with your Google or Microsoft account. Then go to Step 9.

Step 8 — Click Sign in to use an existing account, and sign in when prompted.

Note: you must use an email you've registered with before. If you're using a new email, click "Create Your Account" instead.

Activate your license

Step 9 — Click Accept and Continue to proceed with license activation.

Step 10 — Enter your license key and click Activate to finish setup. 🎉

Install Associate

Associate is Spellbook's feature for multi-document workflows. Use it to:

  1. Revise a template against reference documents — e.g. edit an MSA template based on a term sheet

  2. Compare two or more documents to highlight differences

  3. Ask questions across multiple documents at once

There are two ways to access Associate:

How to Download the App

Step 1 — Go to download.spellbook.legal.

Step 2 — The download starts automatically. Open Downloads in your browser (or your Downloads folder) and click the file.

Step 3 — Open the .zip file and click the installation app inside.

Step 4 — Allow your computer to open the download, if prompted.

Step 5 — Associate installs onto your computer.

Step 6 — Launch the app. You'll land on this homepage — now activate your account below.

Activate your account

Method 1 — Sign-in code (fastest)

Enter your email, then paste the code emailed to you.

Method 2 — Create a password

Step 1 — Go to associate.spellbook.legal and click Sign up.

Step 2 — To set up your account for the first time, click Sign up.

Step 3 — Enter your name and email. Use the same email you signed up for the Spellbook Word add-in with.

Step 4 — Click Continue.

Step 5 — Click Verify you are human.

Step 6 — Set a password you'll remember — you'll use it to sign in to Associate going forward.

Step 7 — Copy the verification code from your email to finish activating your account.

Step 8 — Enter your license key. This is emailed by your Spellbook sales rep — if you don't have it, contact success@spellbook.legal.

Step 9 — Click Activate.

Step 10 — You'll land on the Associate home screen and can start working. 🎉

Spellbook in Google Docs

Spellbook's Google Docs add-in puts Spellbook in the Google Docs side panel — ask questions, review contracts, and run Playbooks without leaving your document.

👉 Get the Google Docs add-in | Get the Chrome extension

You need both pieces. The add-in opens Spellbook inside Google Docs. The Chrome extension is what allows Spellbook to insert redlines as suggested edits. Without it, you'll see a "Tracked changes unavailable" banner.

Video Guide

Install the Spellbook Add-In

Step 1 — Click Extensions

Step 2 — Go to Add-ons > Get add-ons

Step 3 — Search Spellbook

Step 4 — Click the Spellbook listing and click install.

Step 5 — Click Continue to sign in to Spellbook

Step 6 — Dismiss the installation confirmation once complete.

Step 7 — Click Extensions

Step 8 — Go to Spellbook > Open Spellbook

Step 9 — Open the Spellbook Ask tab

Step 10 — Spellbook will open up in Google Docs.

Install the Spellbook Chrome extension

The Chrome extension is what lets Spellbook insert redlines as suggested text. Once installed, the "Tracked changes unavailable" banner disappears. Chrome browsers only.

Step 1 — Open Spellbook in the Chrome Web Store and select Add to Chrome.

Step 2 — In the pop-up detailing Spellbook's access, select Add extension.

Step 3 — Open Chrome's Extensions menu and confirm Spellbook is listed. Click Manage Extensions to pin it for easier access. Refresh your Google Doc and reopen Spellbook. 🎉

Troubleshooting

🚧 Word: "Add-ins" is missing or the store is disabled

Word's add-in store relies on optional connected experiences. If those are switched off, you'll see an error like this:

On macOS:

  1. Click Word in the menu bar

  2. Click Preferences…

  3. Click Privacy

  4. Click Turn on optional connected experiences, then completely restart Word

On Windows:

  1. Go to File → Options

  2. Select Trust Center → Trust Center Settings

  3. Select Privacy Options → Privacy Settings

  4. Make sure the connected experiences boxes are checked, then restart Word

Connected experiences

Still blocked? Your organization or device may be restricting add-ins. Ask your IT administrator to confirm Microsoft Office add-ins are allowed and that no policy blocks installation — especially on work or school accounts.

Full guide with all screenshots →

🚧 Word: Spellbook disappeared from my ribbon

Word add-ins occasionally drop off the ribbon after updates or profile changes. See Spellbook Disappeared from MS Word, or uninstall and reinstall Spellbook.

🚧 Google Docs: "Tracked changes unavailable"

This means the Spellbook Chrome Extension isn't installed, isn't enabled, or you aren't using Google Chrome. To fix:

  1. Make sure you're using Google Chrome

  2. Install the Spellbook Chrome Extension

  3. Confirm the extension is enabled

  4. Refresh your Google Doc

  5. Reopen Spellbook from the Extensions menu

🚧 Google Docs: the Chrome extension isn't working

  1. Confirm you're using Google Chrome

  2. Open Chrome's extensions menu

  3. Make sure the Spellbook extension is enabled

  4. Refresh your Google Doc

  5. Open Spellbook again from the Extensions menu

  6. If the issue continues, contact Spellbook Support

🚧 I don't have a license key

Your license key is emailed by the Spellbook sales rep you're working with. If you can't find it, email success@spellbook.com and the support team will resend it.

Admins can also add and manage seats directly — see How to Add Users to Your Account and How to Manage Users in Spellbook.

FAQs

Do I need separate accounts for Word, Google Docs, and Associate?

No. One Spellbook account covers all three. Just make sure you sign in with the same email address everywhere.

Can I install more than one at the same time?

Yes, and most people do. Word or Google Docs handles the document you're drafting; Associate handles workflows that span several documents at once.

Does Spellbook work with .docx files in Google Docs?

Spellbook only works with Google Docs (.gdoc) files. If you have a .docx, upload it to Google Drive and convert it to a Google Doc first.

You can do so by going into File > Save as Google Docs

Is there a standalone Spellbook desktop app for Word?

No. Spellbook for Word is a Microsoft Word add-in only. Spellbook Associate does have a desktop app, available at download.spellbook.legal.

What's next?

Ready to master Spellbook at your own pace? Visit Spellbook Academy.

Need additional assistance? Contact our support team at success@spellbook.legal

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