In this article:
System Requirements
Most users will want to use LawVu Draft inside Microsoft Word, as an "add-in". LawVu Draft works with recent versions of Microsoft Word on Windows & Mac.
Platform | Supported versions |
Windows | ✅Microsoft 365 (recommended) or Word versions that support WebView2, which is in practice usually Word versions higher than v2019. |
Mac | ✅ Microsoft 365 |
While most users access LawVu Draft through the Microsoft Word add-in, you can also use it directly in your browser at draft.lawvu.com.
Both options have their own advantages:
Microsoft Word add-in
The Word add-in is the best option when you're actively drafting or reviewing documents, as it has direct access to the Word document you're working on.
Browser version
The browser version can be a convenient alternative or complement to the Word add-in. Benefits include:
Unlike the Word add-in, the browser version isn't tied to a specific Word document. You can keep it open throughout the day to access your clause library and other Draft features.
More screen space – The browser provides more room to work since it isn't sharing the screen with an open Word document.
Install as a desktop app – Most modern browsers allow you to install LawVu Draft as a standalone desktop application (Progressive Web App), so you can launch it directly from your desktop or taskbar without opening a browser tab.
Many users use both versions depending on their task—for example, using the browser to browse and manage clauses, and switching to the Word add-in when drafting documents.
Blank screen
If you get a blank LawVu Draft screen in Word, then you unfortunately have an unsupported combination of Windows and/or Word. In this case:
Try to install WebView2 from the Microsoft site. Often, this immediately resolves the problem.
Upgrade your version of Microsoft Office. As pointed out above, Office 365 works best.
It very infrequently happens that your corporate security layers (e.g., malware scanners) block items. Check with your IT department.
Installing LawVu Draft in MS Word
Installing LawVu is usually quick and easy. If your IT department allows users to install add-ins, you can install LawVu directly from Word.
Steps:
Open Microsoft Word.
Go to the Home tab in the toolbar.
Click Get Add-ins (or Store, depending on your Word version).
4. Search for "LawVu" and then click on "LawVu Draft". (Searching for "LawVu Draft" in two words may not lead to any results.)
5. Click Add to install the add-in.
Once installed, the LawVu panel will appear in Word and you can sign in to start using it.
If you cannot install the add-in
If the Get Add-ins option is disabled, your organization most likely restricts add-in installations. In practice, this happens frequently within large & compliance-driven organizations.
In this case, please contact your IT department or refer to our Enterprise deployment below for instructions on how administrators can install the add-in for your organization.
Enterprise deployment
If the organization's policy does not allow users to install add-ins in Microsoft Word, then the Add-ins button will appear greyed out.
If this happens, contact your IT administrator, who can grant permission to install the add-in or deploy it for your organization.
LawVu Draft is deployed through the Microsoft 365 Admin Center using Microsoft AppSource and acts as an embedded webpage that is shown through a side-panel inside of Microsoft Word. Note that there is no installer file (such as .MSI or .EXE); this is standard for modern Microsoft Office add-ins which no longer rely on executable files or installer files.
AppSource link
LawVu Draft uses Microsoft’s modern Office add-in framework. Deployment follows the same process as other Office add-ins.
If you do need the manifest (XML) file itself, then please use the following:



