Frequently Asked Questions

Getting started

What is GeoAddIn?

GeoAddIn is a PowerPoint add-in that lets you insert professional territory maps — countries, regions, cities, airports — directly into your slides without leaving PowerPoint. No Geographic Information System (GIS) software, no manual drawing.

How is GeoAddIn different from downloadable PowerPoint map templates?

Templates are static: one fixed map, one level of detail, often outdated. GeoAddIn generates exactly the map you need — any combination of 56 countries, at country, region, province or county level, with cities and airports — in about 30 seconds.

Is GeoAddIn an alternative to pasting Google Maps screenshots?

Yes, and that's exactly why it exists. Screenshots are blurry, can't be recolored, and can't be updated. GeoAddIn maps are native PowerPoint shapes: sharp at any size, restyled in seconds, editable by anyone.

Is GeoAddIn free?

Yes, during the beta period. You get full access to all features at no cost until September 1, 2026. After the beta, GeoAddIn will be available as a €119/year subscription. If you'd rather try it first, a separate one-time 14-day free trial is also available (one per device, no credit card, no automatic purchase afterwards) — see our pricing page for details.

Which version of PowerPoint do I need?

GeoAddIn works with PowerPoint 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365 (desktop edition on Windows). The web version of PowerPoint (PowerPoint Online) is not supported.

Does GeoAddIn work on Mac?

Not yet. GeoAddIn currently supports PowerPoint for Windows only.

Does GeoAddIn need an internet connection?

Only for the initial download. After installation, everything works fully offline.

How do I get the installer?

Go to the Download page, enter your email address, and we will send you a personal download link instantly.

Installation

The installer asks me to install .NET Framework 4.8. Should I accept?

Yes. .NET Framework 4.8 is a free Microsoft component required by GeoAddIn. If your system does not already have it, the setup wizard will install it for you. Your computer may need to restart before the installation continues.

I don't see a GeoAddIn tab in the ribbon after installation.

Go to File → Options → Add-ins, set Manage to COM Add-ins, and click Go…. Make sure GeoAddIn is checked. If it does not appear in the list, re-run setup.exe from the extracted folder.

Can I install GeoAddIn on more than one computer?

Yes, on up to 3 devices you own or control, per our Terms of Use. Use the same download link and run setup.exe on each device.

I get a "Visual Studio Tools for Office" error mentioning Microsoft.Office.BusinessApplications.Fba when installing.

This error is not caused by GeoAddIn itself — it comes from a Windows component shared by all Office add-ins. On some PCs (most often Office 2016) a system configuration file refers to an Office file that is missing, which stops the installer before it can finish. You can fix it in under a minute:

1. Close PowerPoint and the GeoAddIn installer.
2. Open File Explorer and go to the folder shown in your error message — usually C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VSTO\10.0\ (if your error shows the path without (x86), use that one instead).
3. Find the file named VSTOInstaller.exe.Config and rename it to VSTOInstaller.exe.Config.bak (you may be asked for administrator permission — click Yes).
4. Run setup.exe again. The installation should now complete normally.
5. Once GeoAddIn is installed, you can rename the file back to VSTOInstaller.exe.Config if you wish.

If you'd rather not change this file, repairing Office (Control Panel → Programs → Microsoft Office → Change → Repair) sometimes restores the missing component, though the step above is the more reliable fix.

Using GeoAddIn

Which countries and regions are covered?

GeoAddIn includes map data for 56 countries and territories across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania, each with country-level outlines and sub-national divisions (states, provinces, regions, etc.). See the full coverage list →

Does GeoAddIn cover counties, municipalities and other sub-national levels?

Yes. Each of the 56 countries is available at several administrative levels — for example US states and counties, French regions, departments and arrondissements, German Bundesländer. See the coverage page for the full list.

Can I plot cities and airports on my maps?

Yes. GeoAddIn includes a built-in database of cities and airports. You can add them as point markers on top of any territory map.

Can I create sales territory maps with GeoAddIn?

Yes. Build a map from the regions, provinces or counties that make up each territory, then color each territory like any PowerPoint shape. Add city markers for key accounts or offices. See the coverage page for available subdivision levels.

Can I save a map and reuse it in a different presentation?

Yes. Use the save function in the GeoAddIn task pane to export your map configuration to a file. You can then reload it in any PowerPoint presentation to recreate the map instantly.

Can I customise the colours and styles of the maps?

Basic colour customisation is available in the current beta. More advanced styling options are planned for future releases.

Can people without GeoAddIn edit the maps I create?

Yes. Every map is made of native PowerPoint shapes, so anyone with PowerPoint can recolor, resize and edit them — no add-in or license required. A license is only needed to create new maps.

Where can I find tutorials?

Visit the Video Tutorials page for step-by-step walkthroughs covering the most common use cases.

Beta programme

When does the beta expire?

The current beta version expires on September 1, 2026. You will receive an email before that date with information about the next version.

What happens when the beta expires?

The add-in will stop working after the expiry date, per our Terms of Use. We will notify you in advance — at that point you can start a 14-day free trial or subscribe to keep using GeoAddIn. See our pricing page for details.

How do I report a bug or give feedback?

Use the Feedback page to report bugs or share suggestions. Your input directly shapes the development of GeoAddIn.

Will my beta data and maps be preserved in the full release?

Map files saved during the beta use our standard format and will be compatible with future versions.

Licensing & pricing

See the pricing page for the full plan comparison.

How much does GeoAddIn cost?

Nothing during the beta, which runs until September 1, 2026. After launch, a yearly license is €119 excl. taxes — less than €10 a month.

Is there a free trial?

Yes. From launch you can request a 14-day trial license: the full product, at no cost, with no credit card. It simply stops working after 14 days, and one trial is possible per machine. It never turns into a paid subscription.

Is the license per user or per company?

Per user. Your personal license can be activated on up to 3 of your own machines — for example your work laptop, a desktop and a home PC. For teams, each user needs their own license.

What happens if I cancel my yearly license?

Cancelling stops any future payment. Your license remains fully valid until the end of the year you paid for.

How do I receive my license after purchase?

Immediately after checkout, your license is created automatically and sent to the email address you entered during payment.