---
description: This page explains how to locally add plugins and extensions to Datashare.
---

# 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%2FmzQbSbMHqTW3LSJvq9cw%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.49.09.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d82fe767-d356-4945-aaa6-6ddff7dae9a0" 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%2FAZbf5bDPXLcxPJvnN9S7%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.50.29.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d4414667-e1ae-45b0-ae74-b1a35c9c0690" 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%2FocX94BSJWOAV1IaMQWTZ%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.51.20.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d5b2da25-ab37-4cf6-ab43-ae4e3ea91c82" 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%2FlMOlaxxn5qPugYqN0o8H%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.51.59.png?alt=media&#x26;token=a62c4f10-28bf-408e-adec-d7f4e3a6b7a4" 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%2FJvutFQBES978nQnzoinH%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.53.01.png?alt=media&#x26;token=21da1526-c4f5-4917-9eca-744de286a9a7" 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%2FmzQbSbMHqTW3LSJvq9cw%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.49.09.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d82fe767-d356-4945-aaa6-6ddff7dae9a0" 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%2FMasvnw4TQyxOU4iuoPHS%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.55.51.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d2edd48b-a93e-44ce-8478-569270763ac7" 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%2FOr4qKbCZDMRp1tdAcvI9%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.56.36.png?alt=media&#x26;token=15bda324-42d7-465a-944c-31bafbb5dc6f" 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%2FQsHme4qTFrFXWOsawsZy%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.57.06.png?alt=media&#x26;token=8e902e6c-4452-4ef9-9db1-29bdafe7415b" 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%2F4mKZJa7z3zJhTB3KEdR5%2FScreenshot%202025-06-10%20at%2017.58.11.png?alt=media&#x26;token=ffe57185-ba26-4c42-96f0-546807698080" 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](install-datashare-on-mac/open-datashare-on-mac), [Windows](install-datashare-on-windows/open-datashare-on-windows) and [Linux](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](install-datashare-on-mac/open-datashare-on-mac), [Windows](install-datashare-on-windows/open-datashare-on-windows) and [Linux](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**](../developers/frontend/write-plugins)
* [**Extensions**](../developers/backend/write-extensions)
