The Plexus add-in sits in a panel beside your Word document. From there you can find a contract, edit it, save a new version back to Plexus, take a workflow action, get AI redline suggestions, or start a whole new request. No downloading, no re-uploading, no switching between systems.
In this guide
Installing the Add-In
Plexus appears as a panel inside your Microsoft Word document through Microsoft 365. To install the add-in:
Go to the Microsoft Marketplace.
Search for Plexus for Word.
Click Get it now.
If your organisation's policies require installation via direct manifest XML, you can access the manifest here.
Opening the Plexus panel
Every task below starts the same way.
On the Home ribbon in Word, click Plexus.
The panel opens on the right of your document and stays there while you work.
Top tip: If you get stuck, you may need to search Plexus under the Add-ins menu instead.
Signing Into Plexus
To login, use the same credentials you use to access Plexus.
On the Home ribbon in Word, click Plexus.
Click Log into Plexus.
Enter your email and password, then click Login.
Finding a document or matter
Your full Plexus document list and matters list are both available in the ≡ menu on the top left hand side of the screen.
To find a document:
When working with an existing document already in Plexus, you can open a new blank document in Word. Then navigate through to that document using the Plexus add-in.
Click Documents in the panel.
Search, filter, or scroll to the one you need.
Click it to open the Document details page.
To find a matter:
Open the main menu and click Matters.
Search, filter, or scroll to the one you need.
Click it to open the Matter details page.
The details page shows you status, versions, supporting materials and workflow actions. You can take those workflow actions straight from the panel, the same as you would in the platform.
For docx files in Microsoft Word, you'll also have the option to Edit in Word Desktop.
Starting a document workflow from Word
Drafting a new contract, or working on one that has just landed in your inbox? If working with a document stored on your computer that's not yet in Plexus, open that document on your computer, then click the Plexus Add-in.
In the panel, go to the relevant application, usually Approve & eSign or your organisation's configured intake flow.
Click Upload this document to start a new workflow.
Complete the intake form and submit.
How this fits into your workflow:
You can initiate an entire contract process directly from Word, using the document you’re drafting or reviewing – without needing to download, upload, or navigate between systems.
Attach a Word document as supporting material on a new matter
When you are raising a new matter and you have a relevant document open in Word Desktop, you can use the add-in to upload the file without switching screens.
In the add-in panel, go to the Request Legal Support app.
Scroll to the Supporting materials section.
Click Upload this document to attach the file you have open.
Complete the rest of the intake form and submit.
Edit a Plexus document in Word
To open a Plexus document on your computer, navigate to the document's detail page, or to a matter, where a relevant file is loaded as supporting material. When you are viewing a document in the panel, click Open in Word for Desktop to continue working on Word Desktop.
Go to the Document/Matters list
Click into the relevant file
For a document, your file will show under the Document tab; For a matter, you'll need to click into Supporting Material
Click to Open in Word for Desktop.
The document opens in Word with the Plexus panel still visible, and you can make your changes as you normally would.
Save your changes back to Plexus
Uploading a new version keeps the main document in Plexus up to date, so everyone is looking at the latest draft.
For a document:
In the panel, open the document.
Click Upload New Version and select your file.
For a supporting material in a matter:
In the panel, open the matter.
Open the relevant supporting material under the Document tab.
Click Upload New Version and select your file.
Getting AI redline suggestions
You can use the Plexus add-in to review your contract and have AI suggest redlines without you leaving Word. It reads your document, checks it against the precedents in your knowledge base, and proposes changes that you stay in full control of.
Available for both documents and documents uploaded to matters. See Redlining to learn how it works.
Need help? Reach out to [email protected].