# Install plugins and extensions

**Plugins** are **front-end** modules to add new features in Datashare's user interface.

**Extensions** are back-end modules to add new features to store and manipulate data with Datashare.

## Add plugins to Datashare's front-end

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
At the bottom of the menu, click the '**Settings' icon**:

<figure><img src="/files/1SnOB7qALq58dffTTA6o" alt="Screenshot of a Datashare&#x27;s project page with the Settings icon at the bottom of the left menu highlighted"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Open the '**Plugins'** tab:

<figure><img src="/files/BlYSRi2hqE6QCyt4e7io" alt="Screenshot of a Datashare&#x27;s settings page with the Plugins tab highlighted"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Choose the plugin you want to add and click '**Install'**:

<figure><img src="/files/nHmLw4dGYt7eumKFpdfl" alt="Screenshot of Datashare&#x27;s Settings page on the Plugins tab with a Plugin&#x27;s &#x27;Install&#x27; button highlighted"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If you want to install a plugin from an URL, click '**Install from a URL**':

<figure><img src="/files/oh87Vq5XHrcDPeOE5PCu" alt="Screenshot of Datashare&#x27;s Settings page on the Plugins tab with the field &#x27;Install from a URL&#x27; highlighted"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Your plugin is now installed:

<figure><img src="/files/JePKyJuZHBUmgUfW0eDp" alt="Screenshot of Datashare&#x27;s Settings page on the Plugins tab with the installed plugin highlighted"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Refresh your page** to see your new plugin activated in Datashare.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Add **extensions** to Datashare's back-end

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
At the bottom of the menu, click the '**Settings' icon**:

<figure><img src="/files/1SnOB7qALq58dffTTA6o" alt="Screenshot of a Datashare&#x27;s project page with the Settings icon at the bottom of the left menu highlighted"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Open the '**Extensions'** tab:

<figure><img src="/files/XqYU6qYDPsldmSYHS7NF" alt="Screenshot of a Datashare&#x27;s settings page with the Extensions tab highlighted"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Choose the extension you want to add and click '**Install'**:

<figure><img src="/files/pb9k4W59cH9lv1pTo2Vu" alt="Screenshot of Datashare&#x27;s Settings page on the Extensions tab with a Extension&#x27;s &#x27;Install&#x27; button highlighted"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If you want to install an extension from an URL, click '**Install from a URL**':

<figure><img src="/files/j7U67QldS0dSU9cOSLhj" alt="Screenshot of Datashare&#x27;s Settings page on the Extensions tab with the field &#x27;Install from a URL&#x27; highlighted"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Your extension is now installed:

<figure><img src="/files/QaTIDrIMT7EajrrHtQAA" alt="Screenshot of Datashare&#x27;s Settings page on the Extensions tab with the installed extension highlighted"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Restart Datashare** to see your new extension activated in Datashare. Check how for [Mac](/datashare/local-mode/install-datashare-on-mac/open-datashare-on-mac.md), [Windows](/datashare/local-mode/install-datashare-on-windows/open-datashare-on-windows.md) and [Linux](/datashare/local-mode/install-datashare-on-linux/open-datashare-on-linux.md).
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

## Update plugin or extension with latest version

When a newer version of a plugin or extension is available, get the latest version.

If it is a plugin, **refresh** your page to activate the latest version.

If it is an extension, **restart** Datashare to activate the latest version. Check how for [Mac](/datashare/local-mode/install-datashare-on-mac/open-datashare-on-mac.md), [Windows](/datashare/local-mode/install-datashare-on-windows/open-datashare-on-windows.md) and [Linux](/datashare/local-mode/install-datashare-on-linux/open-datashare-on-linux.md).

## Create your own plugin or extension

People who can code can create their own plugins and extensions by following these steps:

* [**Plugins**](/datashare/developers/frontend/write-plugins.md)
* [**Extensions**](/datashare/developers/backend/write-extensions.md)


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