This page provides details on acquiring the Data Plus for Excel SaaS app and the containing add-ins, starting with Compare and Merge. (Additional add-ins are planned for inclusion in Data Plus for Excel in the future). It is a simple 5 step process once you know where and when each step occurs.
The Acquisition Process
| 1. Purchase SaaS | → | 2. Activate SaaS | → | 3. Assign Licenses | → | 4. Install Add-ins | → | 5. Use Add-ins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AppSource | Strive SaaS Customer Site | Microsoft 365 Admin Licenses |
Excel App or Microsoft Admin Integrated Apps |
Excel Client or Excel Online |
Data Plus for Excel SaaS is simply a container application for the Excel Add-in's created by Strive. The SaaS application on AppSource contains subscription plans to the add-in's, available for purchase using the "Get it now" button.
After selecting a plan and making payment, you will use the "Configure SaaS account" button to activate your subscription on the Strive SaaS Customer Site. Activating the subscription means that you are ready to assign licenses to users (and billing begins).
Finally, you will assign licenses on the Microsoft 365 Admin Site and install the add-in to enable Microsoft 365 users (or yourself) to use the add-in in Excel.
SaaS stands for Software as a Service, a broad name that defines applications and services available from providers (e.g. Strive Technology) with subscriptions available for the services provided. Just think of Data Plus for Excel as a vehicle for obtaining user licenses for all the add-in's it contains (ex. Compare and Merge for Excel).
The add-ins can be installed at any point but note that the add-in's will check for a valid user license each time on startup, even during the Free Trial period of a SaaS subscription. Microsoft 365 Admins are encouraged to use the "Integrated Apps" feature of the Admin center to centrally deploy apps for users.
Who is "you"? Any user with an organizational account, both admin and non-admin, users can purchase the SaaS application and assign licenses. The assign licenses and install add-ins experience can be slightly different in Microsoft 365 Admin center for admin and non-admin users.
SaaS Purchase and Add-In Licensing Process
The images below depict the entire process, from purchase of Data Plus for Excel SaaS to using Compare and Merge for Excel Add-in with a valid license.
AppSource - Data Plus for Excel: Overview
AppSource - Data Plus for Excel: Plans
AppSource - Data Plus for Excel: Billing Setup (one-time)
AppSource - Data Plus for Excel: Plan Selection
AppSource - Data Plus for Excel: Pricing and Billing
AppSource - Data Plus for Excel: Payment
AppSource - Data Plus for Excel: Complete Purchase
Click "Configure SaaS Account" to proceed to activation.
Strive SaaS Customer Site: Activate
Clicking on "Configure SaaS account" above brings you to the Strive SaaS Customer Site for activation.
Strive SaaS Customer Site: Activating
Strive SaaS Customer Site: Activate Success
Click "Microsoft 365 Admin Center" to proceed to license assignment.
Microsoft 365 Admin Center: Manage Subscription
There may be a few minute delay before activation is complete and the Microsoft Admin Center will display a yellow banner near the top indicating for you to "Setup account" even though the activation/setup is in progress. In this case, after coming from the Strive SaaS Customer Site, it is best to just wait a few minutes for the activation to complete and the yellow banner will disappear.
Microsoft 365 Admin Center: Licenses
Microsoft 365 Admin Center: Assign User License
Microsoft 365 Admin Center: Assign User License Success
Microsoft 365 Admin Center: Integrated Apps Deployment
Click on "View more apps" link opens next view to search App Source for Compare and Merge for Excel.
Microsoft 365 Admin Center: Integrated Apps, AppSource Deployment
Search for Compare and Merge for Excel and click on "Get it now".
Microsoft 365 Admin Center: Deploy App, Select Users
Microsoft 365 Admins can deploy add-ins for their entire organization, individual users, or groups.
Microsoft 365 Admin Center: Deploy App, Accept Permissions
Microsoft 365 Admin Center: Deploy App, Accept Permissions
These permissions are required to check for a valid user license.
Microsoft 365 Admin Center: Deploy App, Accepted Permissions
Microsoft 365 Admin Center: Finish Deployment
Compare and Merge: Data Ribbon, under Data Plus Group Icon
Compare and Merge: Startup Screen
Click the "Enter" button to sign in and allow the app to check for a valid license.
After initial sign in, the app will automatically attempt to sign you in using the login information passed from Excel.
Compare and Merge: Startup Screen, Enter Button to Sign In
In Excel online, you must click "Allow" to enable the sign in window to appear. The Excel client application will immediately open the sign in window.
Compare and Merge: Startup Screen, User Consent Permissions Request
These permissions are required to check for a valid user license (only if admin has not granted for everyone).
Compare and Merge: User has Valid License so enters the app
Questions? Contact us:
excel.data.plus.saas@strivetech.com