Does this add-in have a digital signature?

Problem

You're trying to load an add-in and it appears to load, but nothing happens.

There are various reasons why an add-in might not load properly.

One possibility: your PowerPoint security settings require that all add-ins be digitally signed, but the add-in you're trying to use is not signed.

So how do you determine whether this is the problem or not? PowerPoint doesn't give you much help.

Solution

The trick is to peek inside the add-in itself.

Assuming the add-in is in the form of a PPAM file:

• Add a .ZIP extension to the end of the file name
• Doubleclick the file to open it in Windows File Explorer

OR

• Install 7-ZIP (if you don't already have it)
• Right-click the file's icon
• Choose 7-Zip | Open Archive

Then, either way:

• Open the ppt folder
• Look for a file named vbaProjectSignature.bin ... If it's there, the VBA project, and hence the add-in, is signed.

Not seeing .PPTX or .ZIP or other file extensions?
Make Windows show file extensions and hidden files

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