Optimize the UX for your add-in

As you design your Office solution, consider the overall user experience (UX) and how you will deliver a solution that’s seamless and user friendly. To create a great add-in, provide an engaging first-run experience for your users and design a first-class UI. This section focuses on best practices for Office and SharePoint Add-ins.

Apply UX Design Principles

You only have a short time period and limited space to portray the value of your solution. Consider the following as you develop your UX:

• Does your user understand the value of the solution?
• What steps do customers need to take to use your solution?
• How do users interact with your solution?

When designing your Office add-in, apply the following principles to your UX design:

• Ensure that the look, feel, and functionality of your add-in complements Office.
• Maintain simplicity and a seamless user experience.
• Optimize your add-in for touch.
• Develop a similar look and feel across different platforms.
• Use add-in commands to:
• Provide relevant UI entry points for your add-in.
• Identify granular actions for common tasks.
• Minimize the number of steps to complete actions.

• Apply Microsoft icon design guidance.

For more information:

• See the best practices for developing Office Add-ins.
• Find guidance for creating UX components for your SharePoint Add-ins.
• Use Office UI Fabric to help ensure that the look and feel and functionality of your add-in complements the Office experience.
• Use the UX design pattern templates for Office Add-ins to apply common interaction patterns.