# 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="https://2881303961-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LWCyd3pDXO_H4jk9DgG%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-2378ad16fad9f6dac4192bcdde2373d2b067440a%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.49.09.png?alt=media" 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="https://2881303961-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LWCyd3pDXO_H4jk9DgG%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a9797b58c3f6f646cdccbffd40a58d73c13cc8af%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.50.29.png?alt=media" 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="https://2881303961-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LWCyd3pDXO_H4jk9DgG%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-1d58efeb22d82bb521f4c4536a203408d6f4b326%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.51.20.png?alt=media" 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="https://2881303961-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LWCyd3pDXO_H4jk9DgG%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a87e728bbd92cb999cb6d4bee714a0dabdc2b11c%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.51.59.png?alt=media" 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="https://2881303961-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LWCyd3pDXO_H4jk9DgG%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c62c85604e5d8fecee4efdfa3cdf0ffc9c5a06f6%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.53.01.png?alt=media" 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="https://2881303961-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LWCyd3pDXO_H4jk9DgG%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-2378ad16fad9f6dac4192bcdde2373d2b067440a%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.49.09.png?alt=media" 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="https://2881303961-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LWCyd3pDXO_H4jk9DgG%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-bdd241b4065538a355bfaee4743f813371ee0074%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.55.51.png?alt=media" 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="https://2881303961-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LWCyd3pDXO_H4jk9DgG%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a6e1eb7cd5f236cde750b604e2805b3a0010dd42%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.56.36.png?alt=media" 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="https://2881303961-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LWCyd3pDXO_H4jk9DgG%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-91317ebb4d68af97ff667ea1267fecf8e34d9656%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.57.06.png?alt=media" 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="https://2881303961-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-LWCyd3pDXO_H4jk9DgG%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-8a7a451bba503adc5653ccf002db4629a6e760fb%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.58.11.png?alt=media" 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](https://icij.gitbook.io/datashare/local-mode/install-datashare-on-mac/open-datashare-on-mac), [Windows](https://icij.gitbook.io/datashare/local-mode/install-datashare-on-windows/open-datashare-on-windows) and [Linux](https://icij.gitbook.io/datashare/local-mode/install-datashare-on-linux/open-datashare-on-linux).
{% 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](https://icij.gitbook.io/datashare/local-mode/install-datashare-on-mac/open-datashare-on-mac), [Windows](https://icij.gitbook.io/datashare/local-mode/install-datashare-on-windows/open-datashare-on-windows) and [Linux](https://icij.gitbook.io/datashare/local-mode/install-datashare-on-linux/open-datashare-on-linux).

## Create your own plugin or extension

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

* [**Plugins**](https://icij.gitbook.io/datashare/developers/frontend/write-plugins)
* [**Extensions**](https://icij.gitbook.io/datashare/developers/backend/write-extensions)