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In response to Microsoft’s announcement(opens in a new tab) regarding the retirement of add-ins in SharePoint, we at Muhimbi are committed to ensuring a smooth transition for our users. Our Muhimbi PDF Converter app will continue to be available in the SharePoint UI, now leveraging the SharePoint Framework (SPFx) to deliver the same reliable functionality you’ve come to trust.
Understanding the Change
Microsoft’s decision to retire SharePoint add-ins marks a significant shift in the SharePoint ecosystem. This change is aimed at enhancing security, performance, and user experience across the platform. As part of this evolution, third-party add-ins, including PDF Converter, will need to adopt new technologies to remain functional within SharePoint. We’ve embraced the SharePoint Framework (SPFx) to ensure our app meets these new standards.
Impact on Muhimbi PDF Converter Users
For our valued users, this transition means the Muhimbi PDF Converter app will now be available in two versions within SharePoint:
Muhimbi PDF Converter for SharePoint Online Add-In (Existing)
- Continues to function seamlessly for existing users.
- No immediate action required; support continues until 2026.
- Optional upgrade path to the new SPFx version.
Muhimbi PDF Converter for SharePoint Online SharePoint Framework App
- Utilizes SPFx for enhanced performance and reliability.
- New installations default to this version for improved features and compatibility.
Ensuring a Seamless Transition for Muhimbi PDF Converter
To facilitate this transition, we’ve prepared a step-by-step guide for upgrading to the new SPFx version of the Muhimbi PDF Converter app. This guide will ensure users can seamlessly transition to the latest technology while maintaining continuity with their current setup.
Before deploying the Muhimbi SharePoint Framework Extension, make sure you have the following:
- Windows Administrator Privileges — You need administrator privileges on your Windows machine to run the installer (EXE).
- Global Administrator Privileges — Ensure you have global administrator (or tenant administrator) privileges in your SharePoint online tenant.
- App Catalog — Confirm that your tenant has an app catalog. If you don’t have one, follow this guide(opens in a new tab) to create an app catalog.
Follow the installation instructions here to install the new PDF Converter app.
Conclusion
At Muhimbi, we’re committed to evolving our products to meet the changing needs of our users and the technological advancements in the SharePoint platform. We appreciate your continued support and trust in Muhimbi as we strive to deliver robust and reliable solutions for your document management needs.