--- title: "Install the AI Dashboards Excel Plug In" slug: "install-the-r365-intelligence-excel-plug-in" description: "Download, install, and connect the AI Dashboards Excel plug-in to pull live R365 dashboard data directly into Excel workbooks." updated: 2026-04-13T15:28:28Z published: 2026-04-13T15:28:28Z canonical: "docs.restaurant365.com/install-the-r365-intelligence-excel-plug-in" --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.restaurant365.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Install the AI Dashboards Excel Plug In In Beta This feature is in closed beta for select customers. Contact your CSM for more information. This article is part of AI Dashboards and covers installing the Microsoft Excel Plugin. Users can install the AI Dashboards Microsoft Excel Plug-in. This allows Excel to connect to data in AI Dashboards. With this plug-in, Users can import and refresh Reports from AI Dashboards into Excel. To install the Excel plugin, users need an **XML Manifest file**. This file can be obtained from your **customer service representative**. The plug-in can be installed and used on a local version of Excel, Excel for web, and Excel for Mac. --- ## **Download the Manifest File** The Manifest File can be requested from your customer success manager. Once the file has been obtained, **download the Manifest File**. When the file is downloaded, store the file in a **new folder** created specifically for the storage of the manifest. The XML manifest file can be renamed, if needed. > [!TIP] > R365 Best Practice > > R365 recommends naming the XML Manifest after the R365 instance. This will be helpful to navigate between manifests for users that may manage more than one R365 instance. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-M0NRP7L6.png) --- ## Connect R365 to a Local Version of Excel To connect AI Dashboards to Excel for Windows desktop, follow these steps: *Click steps to expand for additional information and images.* ****1)** Locate the new folder that now holds the downloaded manifest file, **right click** the folder, and click **Properties** from the dropdown menu.** This will enable users to view the detailed information and manage the properties of the folder. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-VDSE01XC.png) ****2)** From the folder properties pop out, navigate to the the **Sharing** tab.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-LSU8FOB5.png) ****3)** Click **Share**.** This will open the Network Access dialog box. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-9QVM4WGF.png) ****4)** Once the Network access dialog box opens, **verify that the Owner** user is selected. Then, click **Share**.** From this section, users can also add any additional users or group, if any, using the empty field and **Add** button. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-0LS7MSOV.png) ****5)** *Before closing the Properties window*, make note of the full network path of the shared folder. It is recommended to **highlight, copy, and paste** the network path as shown in the photo below.** The network path will be used to specify the shared folder as a trusted catalog. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-XK5ICQN3.png) ****6)** Once the folder catalog is shared, open Microsoft Excel, and from the bottom left corner, click **Options**.** This will open the **Excel Options** pop out. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-VKS9253D.png) ****7)** From the Excel options pop out, navigate to the **Trust Center** tab on the left hand side of the window, and then click **Trust Center Settings**.** This will open the Trust Center. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-R9PUZ39I.png) ****8)** Navigate to the **Trusted Add-In Catalogs** tab.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-R7IO8NJF.png) ****9)** In the **Catalog URL** field, type in or paste in the **full network path** of the shared folder.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-NT4GSP1H.png) ****10)** When the network path is entered, click **Add Catalog.**** This will add the the network path to the list of Trusted Catalog Addresses. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-72P17RDW.png) ****11)** Check the **checkbox** in the **Show in Menu** column for the trusted catalog address that needs to be added.** Once a catalog address is selected, click **OK** to exit the window. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-54O4WO8D.png) Users may need to click OK once more to exit the **Excel Options** pop out as well. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-2N4EKFBZ.png) ****12)** To implement the change, completely **close** Microsoft Excel. Then, **reopen** Excel to a new blank workbook.** All Excel windows should be closed and quit before reopening Excel. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-N9WSTKP3.png) Select a blank workbook. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-0OTGNJ6N.png) ****13)** From the new open blank workbook, click **Add-ins** from the Home tab.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-Z920FWSK.png) ****14)** From the menu, click **+More Add-ins**.** This will open the Office Add-ins window. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-X9OC475S.png) ****15)** Click the **Shared Folder** tab.** The Shared Folder tab should have the AI Dashboards file folder available for selection. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-FZ6YRDNV.png) ****16)** Select the folder. Then, click **Add**.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-10J3709B.png) ****17)** The **AI Dashboards plug-in** is now installed and will show up as an option on the Home ribbon.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-UO30UHNX.png) --- ## **Connect R365 to Excel for Web** To install the plug-in in the web version of Excel, open an Excel workbook in Office for web. Then, follow these steps: *Click steps to expand for additional information and images.* ****1)** From the Home tab, click the **Add-ins** option.** This will open a dropdown menu. ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-LJ1ZSPI6.png) ****2)** From the dropdown, click **+More Add-ins**.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-LJCDTP05.png) ****3)** Navigate to the **My Add-Ins** tab, and then click **Upload My Add-In** in the top right corner of the window.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-3ITJJQ3E.png) This will open the **Upload Add-in** pop out. ****4)** Click **Browse** to open the file explorer.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-ITXHJX4X.png) ****5)** Locate and select the **R365 Manifes**t file. Then, click **Open**.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-64G57EBV.png) ****6)** Click **Upload**.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-UP3Q7CZN.png) ****7)** The **AI Dashboards plug-in** is now installed and will show up as an option on the Home ribbon.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-T1PCTP7H.png) --- ## Connect R365 to Excel for Mac To connect AI Dashboards to Excel for Mac, follow these steps: *Click steps to expand for additional information and images.* ****1)** Open the **Finder** application.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-UNAGNX5U.png) ****2)** Navigate to **Users//Library/Containers/MicrosoftExcel/Data/Documents**** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-JWSNMJNS.png) > [!NOTE] > **Troubleshooting Notes:** > > - If in finder, you don't see usernames, Go to **Finder** >**Settings,** then select show **Hard disks.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-CHF0428K.png) > - The **Library** folder within the home directory is hidden by default. To make it visible, press **Command** + **Shift** + **Period** (**.**) ****Step by Step Manual Navigation**** 1. Open the home folder. In the Finder's menu bar, click **Go** then **Home**. This will open the **User** folder. 2. Reveal the Library Folder. The **Library** folder within the home directory is hidden by default. To make it visible, press **Command + Shift + Period (.)** 3. Click the **Library** folder to open it. 4. In the Library folder, find and open the **Containers** folder. 5. In the Containers folder, find and open the **Microsoft Excel** folder. 6. In the Microsoft Excel folder, find and open the **Data** folder. 7. In the Data folder, find and open the **Documents** folder. ****3) Create** a **new folder** and name it **Wef.**** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-1XX6V7KW.png) > [!NOTE] > If a **Wef** folder already exists, continue to **step 4.** ****4) Copy** the **manifest file** to the wef folder.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-7J1OTPUY.png) > [!NOTE] > Troubleshooting Note > > If the manifest XML file is unable to be selected (greyed out in the finder), users may need to convert the XML file to the XLAM filetype in order to continue. ****5) Close and reopen** Microsoft Excel to a new workbook.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-VWZH3K9K.png) ****6)** From the Home tab, locate the **My Add-ins** dropdown, and choose AI Dashboards.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-U92HV6RH.png) ****7)** Verify that the AI Dashboards for Office appears in Excel.** ![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-ZDZ4QBK2.png)