A new PERRLA for Word
The newest, best version of PERRLA ever!
In the Fall of 2019, we released an upgraded PERRLA for Word Microsoft Add-in (for PC & Mac). In January of 2020, we updated it to include the APA 7th Edition.
The older PERRLA for Word desktop application (the version with it's own app window) cannot be updated to include the APA 7th Edition.
You have questions? We have answers.
Click any of these categories to see their questions (or just keep scrolling down):
New Features & Functionality
Getting Started with the Add-in
The existing PERRLA for Word
My PERRLA Subscription
Learn more about the Add-in
What is the new Add-in?
This is not an “update” to the legacy software. It is brand new.
It contains all of the features and functionality of the old software (plus the ability to create APA 7th Edition-compliant papers) but was re-written from scratch. The legacy (older) PERRLA for Word had reached a point that it could no longer be updated to work with the latest computer and formatting updates.
Take a look! Here’s a short video to show how easy it is to use the new software.
How do I get it?
The new PERRLA software is an official Microsoft Word Add-in. You get it from the Microsoft Word “store” that is built into Microsoft Word. It’s free to download, but you have to have a PERRLA account to use it. (It's kind of like Netflix – the app is free, but you have to be a Netflix customer to use it.)
You’ve never installed an Add-In from the Word store? No worries – it’s easy. You can literally get PERRLA from Microsoft’s store inside Word in about 10 seconds! (Note: Our use of “literally” literally means literally.)
Watch this…
New Features & Functionality
How is it better than the current version?
It was re-written from the ground up to be easier to understand and use. It has a modern user interface. It works differently behind-the-scenes and is less susceptible to being broken by Microsoft Office bugs. We can update the software for everyone without having to make you download a new version. As a matter of fact, we updated it to offer APA 7 functionality on January 13, 2020.
APA 7th Edition Papers have a completely new Reference Engine! It lets you search for references using a DOI, ISBN, URL, or Author/Title. You can also create custom citations by leaving out the author name or publication year.
Learn more about PERRLA & APA 7th Edition here.
Where is PERRLA installed on my computer?
The old PERRLA for Word was downloaded from our website and then installed like a traditional application.
The new PERRLA for Word Add-In is different. It gets installed from within Microsoft Word via the Microsoft Word Store. There’s no longer an installation program. Microsoft handles everything for you.
How do I open my papers with the PERRLA add-in?
In the previous version of PERRLA for Word, we had a “Startup Application” that you launched from your desktop. That program showed you the contents of your PERRLA Papers folder and let you open a paper from there. That’s no longer part of the new software.
So, just open your papers/documents from inside Microsoft Word or by double-clicking on the Word file to open them.
Are my PERRLA papers normal Word documents?
Yes. The PERRLA for Word Add-In lives inside Microsoft Word and works with Word to format your paper. But, there’s nothing special about your PERRLA papers – they’re still just normal Word documents. (Just perfectly formatted with PERRLA doing the heavy lifting.)
How does PERRLA add content to my papers?
The new PERRLA Add-in uses a Word feature called "Content Controls" to insert items into your paper – like References & Citations. You'll see these "controls" as blue boxes around those items.
The content in those items is locked (meaning you can't edit it in the body of your paper). However, you can use PERRLA to edit them.
You can learn more about how Content Controls work here.
Getting Started with the Add-in
How easy is it to learn the new software?
Very easy. One of the driving factors in the new design was to make the software more intuitive. Mission accomplished. See for yourself. Here’s a video showing people how to transition to the new software:
Transitioning to the Add-in for Mac Users
Transitioning to the Add-in for Windows Users
I don’t see a new icon. How do I launch the new PERRLA from my desktop?
There’s no new desktop icon because PERRLA now lives inside Microsoft Word as an Add-In.
After you install the PERRLA Add-In, the PERRLA tab will appear inside Word every time you open Word.
Are there any known issues in installing the new version?
There are two:
1. If your Microsoft Office account was given to you by your school, they may have configured it to not allow Add-Ins.
In that case, when you try to install PERRLA’s Add-In you’ll see a message that Add-Ins aren’t allowed. If you see that message, don’t give up! You can get around this. See this article for the solution.
2. "Professional Plus" versions of Microsoft Word will not properly load Add-Ins. If you're using one of these versions, we recommend updating to Word 2019. Word 2019 is free through the Microsoft Education Program, offering the latest version of Microsoft Word for free to anyone with a school email address (ending in .edu).
Will the new Add-In work in older versions of Microsoft Word?
We’re using new functionality that exists in Word 2016 and newer. If you’re using an older version of Word, you’ll want to get a newer version.
And as we mentioned above, if you’ve got a school email address that ends with .edu then you can go here and register it with Microsoft to get your free software.
Would it help PERRLA if I give you a positive review in the Microsoft Word store?
Absolutely! This is brand new software and our first ever Add-In in the Microsoft Word Store. Any positive review will help give us more “street cred.” (Even after 20+ years, we still need positive reviews to help us get the word out.)
Will my teacher know I’m using PERRLA?
No. However, your teachers may have used PERRLA when they were in school. Many teachers recommend us as it makes their lives easier. With fewer formatting errors to correct, they can grade papers faster! If you want to turn in your paper without any of the PERRLA content controls, you can also use our Paper Review panel to create a clean version of your paper. Learn more here.
My PERRLA Subscription
Is there a charge to get the new version?
The new PERRLA for Word Add-In is included in your PERRLA subscription. The Add-In is free to install from the Microsoft Word Add-In Store. Even though the Add-In is free, you must have an active PERRLA subscription to use it.
I love it and want to tell my friends. Do you have a Referral Rewards program?
Yes! Go to our website (www.perrla.com) and click the Login button. Log into your account. You’ll see the “Refer a Friend” button in the upper-right corner. Click that button to reveal your unique Referral Promo Code.
When you give that code to a friend and they apply your code during the purchase process, your subscription will be extended by 3 months and their new subscription will be extended by 3 months!
If I’m almost finished with a paper, should I start using the new software?
While the new software is easy to use, it probably makes more sense for you to stick with your current version of PERRLA for Word and finish your paper. Switch to the new PERRLA Add-In for writing your next paper.
I’m almost finished with school, should I switch to the new software?
If this is your last semester and the software is still working for you, you can continue to use the existing PERRLA for Word. However, we cannot offer any guarantee that it may be broken by updates to Windows, Mac OS, or Microsoft Word.
Where to learn more
How can I find more information about the new PERRLA for Word Add-In?
Our website has information about it here and the Help Center section of our website has even more info here.
If I have questions, is Customer Support standing by to help?
Yes, as always. Our Customer Support team is on-the-job until 10pm central time, 7 days per week. Contact them using the Contact Support form in the Help Center of our website or simply shoot them an email at: support@perrla.com
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