OnlyOffice Docs Plugins: What They Are & How to Use

OnlyOffice Docs plugins are small add-on programs that extend the editor’s built-in features, letting you connect external services, automate repetitive tasks, and add custom tools without leaving your document. You install them from the plugin manager inside the editor, and they appear as a new tab or button on the toolbar. This article explains what plugins are available, how to install and manage them, and how to write your own if you need something specific.

Formula

The calculator above works out your average pace and speed for a run or ride. Enter the finish time in minutes and the distance in kilometres. The pace is the time divided by the distance:

Pace (min/km) = Finish time (min) / Distance (km)

Speed is the distance divided by the time in hours (since time is in minutes, you divide by 60):

Speed (km/h) = Distance (km) / (Finish time (min) / 60)

Both results are rounded to two decimal places. The pace tells you how many minutes each kilometre took; the speed tells you how many kilometres you covered in one hour.

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator: finish time = 50 minutes, distance = 10 km.

1. Pace = 50 / 10 = 5.00 min/km
2. Speed = 10 / (50 / 60) = 10 / 0.8333 = 12.00 km/h

So a 50-minute 10 km run gives an average pace of 5 minutes per kilometre and an average speed of 12 km/h. The calculator block shows the same numbers.

What OnlyOffice Docs Plugins Actually Do

OnlyOffice Docs (the online editors for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations) ships with a set of default plugins, and you can add more from the plugin marketplace or from a custom URL. Plugins run inside the editor and interact with the open file. Common uses include:

• Inserting online images, videos, or maps (YouTube, Wikipedia, Google Maps)
• Running OCR (optical character recognition) on scanned images inside a document
• Translating selected text using external translation services
• Creating and editing diagrams (Draw.io, Mermaid)
• Checking grammar and style with third-party tools
• Adding custom fields, macros, or automation for repetitive tasks

Each plugin appears as a separate tab in the top toolbar (e.g., “Plugins” or the plugin’s own name). Clicking it opens a panel on the right side where you interact with the tool. Plugins work in all three editor types—document, spreadsheet, and presentation—unless the plugin specifically targets one format.

How to Install and Manage Plugins

Installing a plugin is straightforward, but the exact steps depend on whether you are using the free desktop version, the cloud service, or a self-hosted server.

1. Open a document in OnlyOffice Docs.
2. Go to the Plugins tab on the top toolbar.
3. Click Plugin Manager (or the puzzle-piece icon) to open the list of available plugins.
4. Browse the built-in list, or click Add plugin and paste the URL of a plugin’s config.json file.
5. Click Install next to the plugin you want. It appears in the toolbar immediately.

To remove a plugin, open the Plugin Manager, find the installed plugin, and click the trash icon. You can also disable a plugin without uninstalling it. On a self-hosted server, the administrator can pre-install plugins for all users by placing the plugin folder in the sdkjs-plugins directory on the server.

Popular Plugins You Should Know

OnlyOffice includes several plugins by default, and many more are available from the official marketplace. Here are some of the most widely used ones:

• YouTube – embeds a YouTube video player into the document. Useful for training materials or interactive reports.
• Wikipedia – searches Wikipedia and inserts a summary or link without leaving the editor.
• OCR – extracts text from a scanned image or PDF inserted into the document. Works with several languages.
• Translator – translates selected text into another language using a translation API. You may need to supply your own API key for some services.
• Draw.io – opens a diagram editor inside the panel so you can create flowcharts and org charts and embed them as images.
• Mermaid – renders text-based diagrams (like sequence diagrams and Gantt charts) from a simple markup language.
• Typograf – fixes typography: replaces straight quotes with curly ones, adds non-breaking spaces, and corrects punctuation.
• Photo Editor – applies filters, crops, and adjusts brightness/contrast to images inside the document.

Not all plugins are available in every deployment. The desktop version has a smaller default set, while the cloud and server versions can access the full marketplace. Some plugins require an internet connection or an external API key to function.

How to Write Your Own Plugin

If the existing plugins don’t cover your need, you can write a custom plugin. OnlyOffice provides a plugin API that lets you interact with the document content, the selection, and the editor interface. A plugin is essentially a folder with three files:

• config.json – describes the plugin: name, version, icon, and the HTML file to load.
• index.html – the user interface shown in the right panel.
• plugin.js – the logic that calls the OnlyOffice API to read or modify the document.

A minimal config.json looks like this:

{
  "name": "My Plugin",
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "icon": "icon.png",
  "url": "index.html"
}

The plugin script uses the global window.Asc.plugin object. For example, to get the selected text in a document, you call:

window.Asc.plugin.executeMethod("GetSelectedText", [], function(text) {
  console.log(text);
});

To insert text at the cursor, use InsertText. The API documentation is available on the OnlyOffice website under “Plugins SDK”. After you write the files, you can test the plugin by adding it via the Plugin Manager using the local file path (in the desktop version) or by hosting the folder on a web server and providing the URL.

Common Problems and Troubleshooting

Plugins are generally stable, but you may run into a few issues. Here are the most frequent ones and how to fix them:

• Plugin doesn’t appear after installation – restart the editor or refresh the browser tab. Sometimes the toolbar doesn’t refresh immediately.
• Plugin loads but does nothing – check the browser console (F12) for JavaScript errors. A missing API key or a blocked external service is often the cause.
• Plugin works in the desktop version but not online – the online version may have stricter security policies. Make sure the plugin’s URL is served over HTTPS and that the server allows cross-origin requests.
• Can’t install a plugin from a custom URL – the URL must point directly to a config.json file, not to a folder or a zip. If you have a zip, extract it and host the folder.
• Plugin slows down the editor – some plugins (like OCR or video embedding) are resource-heavy. Close the plugin panel when not in use, or uninstall plugins you rarely use.

If a plugin misbehaves, try disabling it first. If the problem persists, check the OnlyOffice forum or GitHub repository for that specific plugin—many are open source and have issue trackers.

Security and Permissions

Plugins run with the same permissions as the editor, which means they can read and modify the open document. That is useful, but it also means you should only install plugins from trusted sources. The official marketplace is vetted, but custom plugins are not. Before installing a third-party plugin, review its code if possible, and be cautious about plugins that request access to external services or ask for API keys.

On a self-hosted server, the administrator controls which plugins are available. You can disable the Plugin Manager entirely or restrict installation to a whitelist. In the desktop version, you are responsible for what you install. Always keep the editor and plugins updated to receive security patches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are OnlyOffice plugins free? Most plugins in the official marketplace are free and open source. Some third-party plugins may require a paid subscription or an API key for the underlying service (e.g., a translation API). The plugin itself is usually free, but the service it calls may not be.

Can I use OnlyOffice plugins in the mobile app? The mobile apps (iOS and Android) have limited plugin support. Some plugins work, but many are designed for the desktop or web interface. Check the plugin’s documentation for mobile compatibility.

Do plugins work with Microsoft Office files? Yes. OnlyOffice plugins work on any file format the editor supports, including .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx. The plugin operates on the document content regardless of the underlying file format.

How do I update a plugin? The Plugin Manager will show an “Update” button when a new version is available. For custom plugins, you need to manually replace the files on your server or local folder. The editor checks for updates when you open the Plugin Manager.

Can I share a custom plugin with my team? Yes. You can host the plugin folder on a shared drive or web server, and each team member can add it via the Plugin Manager using the URL. On a self-hosted server, the administrator can install it once for everyone.

What is the difference between a plugin and a macro? A macro is a recorded or written script that automates actions within the editor, usually written in JavaScript. A plugin is a full-featured add-on with its own user interface. Plugins can call macros, but macros cannot create a plugin interface. For simple automation, a macro is easier; for complex tools, a plugin is better.

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in t | Finish time | min | 50 | 0
in d | Distance | km | 10 | 0 | 100000
out pace | Average pace | min/km | t / d | 2
out speed | Average speed | km/h | d / (t / 60) | 2