How to download WebEx for Microsoft Outlook
We’ve covered Microsoft Teams in length. One of its features, if you have a paid Microsoft Teams license, allows you to install an add-on for Outlook. This add-on allows you to schedule meetings in Microsoft Teams from Outlook. Microsoft Teams isn’t the only web conferencing tool that has an add-on for Outlook.
WebEx for Outlook
WebEx is a video conferencing tool developed by Cisco. It is a fairly capable tool but its free plans are only available in select countries while most of its competitors operate in worldwide. It’s one reason WebEx hasn’t made any great strides during the past year. That said, it does have an add-on for Outlook. Here’s how you can install it.
Note: You must have the Outlook desktop app installed. This article does not cover how to install Outlook.
Install WebEx Productivity Tools
The WebEx Outlook add-on is part of the WebEx Productivity Tools. In order to get them, you must have admin access to the WebEx admin site for your company.
- Visit the WebEx admin site.
- Select Meeting Center or Training Center (options may differ).
- Look for WebEx Productivity Tools and click Download.
- Once downloaded, double-click the file to begin installing the tools.
Enable Outlook integration
Once you’ve installed the WebEx Productivity Tools, you need to enable Outlook integration in them.
- Open the WebEx Productivity Tools.
- Go to the app’s settings.
- Select the Tools tab.
- Enable Outlook for Email and scheduling.
- Quit and restart Outlook.
Enable WebEx add-on in Outlook
The WebEx add-on is installed but it may have to be enabled in Outlook before you’re able to use it.
- Open Outlook on your desktop.
- Go to File>Options.
- Select the Add-ins tab.
- Click ‘COM Add-ins’ in the Manage dropdown.
- Click Go.
- From the list, select the WebEx add-on and click OK.
- Restart Outlook.
It is a good idea to restart both the WebEx tool and Outlook after you’ve enabled the add-on in both. Make sure you’re signed into WebEx and Outlook. Also make sure the email account you’ve selected in Outlook is able to connect with WebEx.
Conclusion
WebEx is a complex tool so if you’re having trouble getting the Outlook add-on to work, talk to your system admin. There may be restrictions on your WebEx account or there may be restrictions on your Outlook account that are preventing the add-on from showing up. The add-on makes it easier to schedule meetings and if you use Outlook as your main email client, it is normally more convenient to schedule meetings in it than to switch to a different app.
