What causes "ProWritingAid Tab Missing From Word Ribbon"?

Add-in disabled or unregistered by Word Installing Desktop Everywhere with Microsoft Store Office removed the add-in Outdated Office or VSTO runtime Mac Office add-in is discontinued

How do I fix "ProWritingAid Tab Missing From Word Ribbon"?

1. Run the repair tool (Windows): Close Word Download EnableProWritingAid.exe from ProWritingAid's 'ribbon disappeared' help article Run it; it checks and repairs the add-in configuration Reopen Word and look for the ProWritingAid tab 2. Re-enable it in Word (Windows): Word > File > Options > Add-Ins Set Manage to COM Add-ins and click Go... Tick ProWritingAid if it's listed; if not, reinstall from prowritingaid.com/download/microsoft-word 3. Mac: switch to Desktop Everywhere: The Mac Office add-in is no longer supported Install Desktop Everywhere (macOS 10.15 or newer) Open Word; ProWritingAid appears as a floating icon, not a ribbon tab

// troubleshooting guide · prowritingaid

ProWritingAid Tab Missing From Word Ribbon

Status: Workaround available
platforms:: Windows, macOS
updated:: November 15, 2026
reports:: 3
Method: how we research

RUNBOOK · prowritingaid/word-ribbon-missing3 FIXES

// quick answer

On Windows, close Word and run ProWritingAid's EnableProWritingAid.exe repair tool, then check File > Options > Add-Ins. On Mac the Office add-in is no longer supported, so use Desktop Everywhere instead.

Most likely fix: Run the repair tool (Windows)

How to fix it

// try these in order, the most common fix is first

FIX 1Run the repair tool (Windows)
1. 01Close Word
2. 02Download EnableProWritingAid.exe from ProWritingAid's 'ribbon disappeared' help article
3. 03Run it; it checks and repairs the add-in configuration
4. 04Reopen Word and look for the ProWritingAid tab
Did this fix it?
FIX 2Re-enable it in Word (Windows)
1. 01Word > File > Options > Add-Ins
2. 02Set Manage to COM Add-ins and click Go...
3. 03Tick ProWritingAid if it's listed; if not, reinstall from prowritingaid.com/download/microsoft-word
Did this fix it?
FIX 3Mac: switch to Desktop Everywhere
1. 01The Mac Office add-in is no longer supported
2. 02Install Desktop Everywhere (macOS 10.15 or newer)
3. 03Open Word; ProWritingAid appears as a floating icon, not a ribbon tab
Did this fix it?

Symptoms

The ProWritingAid tab disappeared from Word's ribbon, often after an Office update or after installing Desktop Everywhere.

Why it happens

C-01Add-in disabled or unregistered by Word
C-02Installing Desktop Everywhere with Microsoft Store Office removed the add-in
C-03Outdated Office or VSTO runtime
C-04Mac Office add-in is discontinued