Let me start by admitting I’m not quite sure what to call these. Add-ons? Plug-ins? Extensions? If you know the difference I’d love to hear what it is. 😎 Regardless of what you call them, all of these will help you work smarter.

Why would anyone want to use add-ons?

• Integrating with tools and services.
  For example, apps like Diigo, Evernote and lots of others offer add-ons that let you easily save bookmarks, clip pages, etc right within your browser
• Getting add additional features.
  For example, adding features that don’t already exist in your browser or application. Like the image searching features in the Pexels PowerPoint add-in below.
• Adjusting how you interact with websites.
  For example adding, removing, or modifying content like blocking ads or providing additional providing information for shopping websites, etc.

Regardless of what you call them, all of these will help you work smarter and fall into two categories–browser add-ins and application add-ins.

Browser Add-ins

These are Google Chrome add-ons but you can also get them for other browsers. You’ll find these and others in the Chrome Web Store, while Firefox extensions are available on Mozilla’s Add-ons site.  The options for Microsoft Explorer are much more limited but you can check the Internet Explorer Add-on Gallery website if you’re really stuck with IE.

1. The Great Suspender
(Memory Manager – Chrome add-in)

Lots of open tabs can really bog down your browser. This handy add-in automatically suspends unused tabs to free up system resources. And you can easily get them right back whenever you need them.  Check out last year’s post for more details on how this works and why you need it.  | Get it here.

2. Feedly
(News Feed reader app)

Feedly is a feed reader that allows you to subscribe to the news sources you want and have them all come to you. (Think Amazon Prime vs racing around to a zillion different stores for your holiday shopping!) Check out last year’s post for more details. | Get it here.

* Easily add websites to your feedly
* Save pages for later
* Email pages
* Tweet pages
* Share pages on facebook
* Save pages to Evernote
* Curate and tag pages

3. Buffer
(Social Media sharing)

Buffer is the best way to share great content to Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn from anywhere on the web, with just one click. Get it here.

4. Grammarly
(Writing -Chrome add-in)

Grammarly’s free writing app makes sure everything you type is easy to read, effective, and mistake-free. Grammarly will check your spelling and grammar  on Gmail, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, Tumblr, and almost anywhere else you write on the web. They’ve also got an add-in for Microsoft Office so you’ll be covered there too.

Check out last year’s post for more details. | Get it here.

5. Hemmingway App
(Writing app)

Hemmingway is another tool that helps you up your writing game. Like Grammarly, Hemmingway also has apps for Mac, Windows and Office. As you can see below, this app calls out suggested improvements with color coded highlights.

Check out last year’s post for more details. | Get it here.

6. Dropbox for Gmail
(Chrome add-in)

Dropbox for Gmail helps you share files from your Dropbox via your Gmail account. This adds a Dropbox icon at the bottom of your compose messgage window that connects you via a pop-up window to the contents of your Dropbox account. Select a file to share it via Dropbox and avoid the hassle of email file attachments. My favorite part is the recent files list that helps me avoid wasting time looking for the file in Dropbox.

Check out last year’s post for more details. | Get it here.

7. Lastpass
(Password manager)

How to you keep track of passwords? Sticky notes or spreadsheets? LastPass is a dead simple, no-brainer option for making your passwords more secure and easier to use. Just do it!  If you don’t think you need it, think again.  Your  password solution probably isn’t as good as you think!)

Check out last year’s post for more details. | Get it here.

8. Google Chrome Remote Desktop
(Remote access)

This one is great for anyone who does any kind of support or wants to remotely access a computer in some other location. The best thing about this one is how easy it is to setup and use.

Check out last year’s post for more details. | Get it here.

PowerPoint & Windows Add-ins

9. PollEverywhere
(PowerPoint audience participation add-in)

If you do any presenting at all you need to get this free addition to PowerPoint right now! Yes, seriously. It is that good.You and your audiences will be glad you did! After installing you’ll get a new tab right in PowerPoint for creating and inserting a variety of poll questions that your audience can respond to via the web or SMS.

Check out last year’s post for more details. | Get it here.

10. Google Drive for MS Office
(Office add-in)

Want to share your files via Google Drive but still, work on them in Office? This one puts your Gdrive files inside Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc right at your fingertips!

Check out last year’s post for more details. | Get it here.

11. Power User
(add-in for PowerPoint)

If you’re looking to upgrade the work you do in PowerPoint, check out Power User. With features not otherwise available in PowerPoint, it can be a big time-saver.

Check out last year’s post for more details. | Get it here.

12. PowerPoint Labs
(add-in for PowerPoint)

PowerPoint Labs is another add-in for PowerPoint that you’ll want to have when you see all that it can do. Check the video to see some of the superpowers you’ll get with this one.

Check out last year’s post for more details. | Get it here.

Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear what else is on your list. Reply with a comment below or via social media using the hashtag #12×12

Day 2 of 12 | Check out the entire series here.