Download Design Helper (BI Publisher Desktop)
Purpose: Use this document as a reference to download Design Helper
Audience: Communication builders
Windows Requirements
BI Publisher is a standalone Java-based reporting tool that allows users to add XML code to Microsoft Word and Excel templates, create customized reports, and modify existing reports. BI Publisher Desktop is only compatible with Microsoft Office on Windows.
Microsoft Office
You can install Microsoft Office 32-bit or 64-bit on your computer. A 64-bit version of Windows doesn't mean you have a 64-bit version of Office.
To view inserted information, click the caret " > " on the left side of each checkbox.
- Open Word.
- Click on File at the top of the page.
- On the Home page, select Account.
- Click on About Word near the center of the page.
- Whether you're running 64-bit or 32-bit Office, the About Microsoft Word for Microsoft 365 info box will appear.
- Identify your version--see image below.
Download the BI Publisher Desktop
Download the correct version of BI Publisher from PeopleSoft. The correct BI Publisher Desktop version of BI Publisher is installed on our Application and Report servers.
Navigation: Reporting Tools > BI Publisher > Setup > BIP Designer Client Tools
- Activate the drop-down menu to choose either the 32-bit or 64-bit version of the tool to match your version of Microsoft Office.
- Select Download now. You will usually find this in your "Downloads" folder.
Install the BI Publisher Desktop
Close all Office applications on your computer.
- Unzip the BIPublisherDesktop64 (your version) file, then run the executable. Confirm your preferred language and install location before installing.
You may also need to download Java Runtime Environment (JRE) if it is not already installed on your system.
Enable BI Publisher Menu
- Open Word and Excel and ensure if the new BI Publisher section displays on the Ribbon Menu.
- If BI Publisher is not listed, use the drop-down Manage menu to select COM Add-ins then click the Go button.
- Verify that BI Publisher is checked and displays Load at Startup.
- If BI Publisher is not listed here, return to the Options Add-Ins window.
- Use the drop-down Manage menu to select Disabled and click the Go button.
- If BI Publisher is listed here, select then click the Enable button.
- Process complete.
BI Publisher is Now Installed
You are ready to create RTF and Excel templates.
kavitha Shivaiah
Had the same issue, plug in showed up on excel but not in word,
Solution: Installing Microsoft Office 365 32bit. 64 bit office was the problem, not working with 32 bit plugin
Specifications: Windows 10, MS office 365 64 bit, BI publisher 12C/11G plug in 32 bit had issue.
Tanjagay Martin
Hello Kavitha, Thank you for your comment. If you can view "BI Publisher" in Excel, follow the steps in this section of the quick reference guide https://ctclinkreferencecenter.ctclink.us/m/79552/l/1042118-9-2-troubleshooting-bi-publisher-ribbon-does-not-appear#ensure-the-add-in-is-enabled. ~Tanjagay Martin | CS Core Functional Analyst
Bradley Vance
Installed for several users and it does not show up in any Office product but shows as enabled in the Com Add-Ins sections.
Tanjagay Martin
Hi Bradley,
The Add-in BI Publisher Template Builder for Word 64bit should be selected. You can also Go to Files-> Options -> Trust Center -> Trust Center Settings-> Add-Ins, and Uncheck the Option (Disable all Application Add-ins). After that, go to Files -> Add-ins and check BI Publisher. Thank you for your time, Bradley! ~Tanjagay Martin | CS Core Trainer