> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://absentify.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
# Enable absentify in Microsoft Teams and Outlook
> Allow employees to install absentify in Microsoft Teams and Outlook when apps are restricted, including the required app permission policies.
In organizations where Microsoft Teams and Outlook apps are restricted by default, administrators need to manually allow and configure access to absentify. This guide provides a step-by-step process for Microsoft 365 Tenant and Teams Admins to enable absentify for employees.
## Why enable absentify?
absentify integrates deeply into Microsoft 365, allowing employees to manage absences directly within Microsoft Teams and Outlook. By enabling absentify, you provide:
* **Convenient absence management**: Employees can manage absences without leaving their primary collaboration tools.
* **Improved efficiency**: IT administrators can centrally manage permissions and deployments, reducing manual interventions.
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### Enable absentify in Teams
1. **Sign in to the Teams Admin Center**:
* Go to the [Microsoft Teams admin center](https://admin.teams.microsoft.com/).
* Sign in using your Teams administrator credentials.
2. **Enable app permissions**:
* Navigate to **Teams apps** > **Manage apps**.
* Use the search bar to locate "absentify".
* If absentify is **Blocked**, select the app and select **Allow**.
3. **Update app permission policies**:
* Go to **Teams apps** > **Manage Apps**.
* Under **All Apps**, search for "absentify". Select the app.
* Under **Users and Groups**, edit the desired availability for your users.
* Ensure the app is not blocked under **Actions** (if applicable).
4. **Optional: configure app setup policies**:
* If you want absentify pre-installed or pinned for employees:
* Go to **Teams apps** > **Setup policies**.
* Select or create a policy.
* Under **Installed apps**, select **Add apps**, search for "absentify", and select **Add**.
* To pin the app, add it to **Pinned apps** and arrange the order as needed.
5. **Apply the policy to users**:
* Navigate to **Users** > **Manage users**.
* Select the user(s) or group(s) to apply the updated setup or permission policy.
* Edit their settings to assign the appropriate policies.
Policy changes may take up to 24 hours to propagate and take effect for users. Employees may need to restart Microsoft Teams for changes to be applied.
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### Enable absentify in Outlook
1. **Access the Microsoft 365 Admin Center**:
* Go to the [Microsoft 365 admin center](https://admin.cloud.microsoft/#/homepage).
* Sign in using your administrator credentials.
2. **Navigate to Integrated Apps**:
* From the left navigation bar, select **Show all**.
* Then go to **Settings** > **Integrated apps**.
3. **Open the Add-ins Section**:
* On the **Integrated apps** page, select **Add-ins** near the top of the page.
4. **Start the deployment process**:
* Select **Deploy Add-in** at the top of the page.
5. **Start the add-in deployment wizard**:
* In the **Deploy a new add-in** wizard, select **Next**.
6. **Select the source for the add-in**:
* Select **Office Store** (Microsoft Marketplace).
7. **Add absentify**:
* Search for **absentify** in the Microsoft Marketplace.
* Select **absentify** from the results and select **Add**.
* Accept the terms and conditions to proceed.
8. **Deploy absentify to users**:
* Select whether to deploy the add-in to **all users**, **specific groups**, or **specific users**.
* Confirm the deployment.
Employees may need to restart Outlook or sign out and back in before the **absentify Outlook add-in** appears.
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### Browser-based access without enabling Teams or Outlook apps
If Teams or Outlook access is restricted or not available to some employees, absentify can still be accessed via the browser at [app.absentify.com](https://app.absentify.com). Accounts can be created in the Microsoft admin portal without assigning Teams or Outlook licenses.
Employees without Teams or Outlook licenses will not receive notifications in those platforms. They will need to sign in to absentify manually to stay updated on absences.
## Best practices for admins
* **Communicate changes to employees**: Inform employees about the availability of absentify and how to access it.
* **Test configurations**: Before rolling out absentify, assign permissions to a test group to ensure smooth deployment.
* **Monitor adoption**: Use the Microsoft Admin Center to track usage and address potential issues proactively.
By following these steps, you can ensure absentify is accessible to your employees, even in environments where apps are restricted by default.
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## Customization within Teams
Further your company's use of absentify in the Microsoft environment with the following Tips and Tricks.
### 1. Sync absentify with a Teams channel
You can add absentify as a register card to a Teams channel, allowing team members to view absences directly within Teams.
Navigate to the desired Microsoft Teams channel where you want to sync absences.
In the channel's top menu, select the **+ (plus) button** to add a new tab.
In the app selection window, use the search bar to find **absentify**, then select it.
Select one of the following options:
* **Sync a department** – Select a specific department to display its absences in this channel.
* **Sync all departments** – Show absences for the entire company.
Select **Save** to finalize the setup. Now, the Teams channel will display absence information for the selected department or the entire organization.
Once set up, all **Teams channel members** can quickly access their colleagues' absences within their department with just one click. If further troubleshooting is needed, contact us at [support@absentify.com](mailto:support@absentify.com).
### 2. Pinning absentify for easier access
To ensure employees can quickly access absentify in Microsoft Teams, you can pin the app using setup policies.
Go to the [Microsoft Teams admin center](https://admin.teams.microsoft.com/) and sign in as a Teams administrator.
Select **Teams apps** > **Setup policies**.
Select **Add** and fill out the required fields according to your organization's needs.
Select **Add apps**, search for **absentify**, and select it.
Select **Save** to confirm. You can also rearrange the order of pinned apps if desired.
Save all changes to apply the policy to users.
Now, absentify will be visible in the Teams sidebar for all assigned users, providing quick and easy access.
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