This page explains how to add the addon to your Odoo system, install it from Apps, and make sure users have the right access to see the menus — written for first‑time users.
Overview
In Odoo, a module (also called an addon) is a folder that adds new screens, menus, and features to your system.
To start using a module, you typically:
- Place the addon folder inside your Odoo addons path (server file location).
- Restart the Odoo service so Odoo can detect the new module.
- Update the Apps list.
- Install the module from the Apps screen.
- Give users the correct permissions so they can see and use it.
Important: Some steps are done on the Odoo server (upload + restart). If you are an end user without server access, ask your Odoo Administrator / IT team to do those steps.
Before You Start (Checklist)
Odoo access
You need an account that can open Apps and access Settings (usually Administrator).
Server access
Someone must be able to upload files into the Odoo server addons location.
Correct addon folder
The module folder must contain __manifest__.py inside it.
Matching Odoo version
Make sure the addon matches your Odoo version (for example Odoo 17).
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
Download the latest addon
Get the latest copy of the addon from your vendor or internal team.
- If it comes as a ZIP/RAR file, extract it first.
- You should end up with a folder (for example:
advanced_export_pro).
Upload the addon folder to the server
Copy the entire addon folder into an addons directory on the Odoo server. Common locations:
- Default addons: Odoo’s built-in
addonsdirectory - Custom addons: a separate directory like
custom_addons
Very important: Don’t upload an extra folder level. The folder you upload must be the module folder itself (the one that contains __manifest__.py).
Example: correct →custom_addons/advanced_export_pro/__manifest__.py• wrong →custom_addons/advanced_export_pro_v17/advanced_export_pro/__manifest__.py
Restart the Odoo service
After uploading, restart the Odoo service so Odoo reads the new module from disk.
If you skip restart, the module may not appear in Apps.
Enable Developer Mode (in Odoo Settings)
In Odoo, open Settings. Then enable Developer Mode (also called Development mode or Debug mode).
- In many Odoo versions, you can enable it from the Settings page.
- Sometimes it is under a “Developer Tools” section, or it appears in the top right menu.
Developer Mode is needed because it shows extra technical options like “Update Apps List”. If you cannot enable it, ask your Administrator.
Update the Apps List
Go to Apps → open the menu (often ⚙️ or “…” depending on your Odoo) → choose Update Apps List → confirm.
This step refreshes Odoo’s module catalog so it can find the newly uploaded addon.
Find the module and install it
In Apps, search by the module name. When you find it, click Install.
- If you see the module but the button says Upgrade, it is already installed (you might be updating it).
- If you see Install, click it and wait until it finishes.
If you still can’t find it, usually one of these is missing: correct folder placement, server restart, or Update Apps List.
Demo data (optional)
Some modules include demo data for testing. If your database was created with demo data enabled, the module may automatically install demo records during installation.
In production databases, demo data is usually disabled.
Give users the correct access rights
After installation, you must give permissions to the users who will use this module.
- Go to Settings → Users & Companies → Users.
- Open the user (for example: “Sales User”).
- In the Access Rights / User Types / Groups section, find the module entry and set the correct level (for example: User or Manager).
- Click Save.
Why this matters
In Odoo, menus appear only when your user has permission. So a module can be installed, but still not visible to normal users until access is granted.
Refresh Odoo and verify the menu
Ask the user to refresh the browser (Ctrl+F5) or log out and log in again.
- Check the app launcher (top-left grid) or main menu for the new application/menu.
- Open it once to confirm it loads without access errors.
Common Problems (Quick Fixes)
Quick fixes
- Module not found in Apps: confirm server restart was done and Update Apps List was run in Developer Mode.
- I cannot see “Update Apps List”: enable Developer Mode first (or ask your admin).
- Apps menu is missing: your user may not have administrator rights—ask your admin to install the module.
- Installed but menu not visible: check user Access Rights / Groups for the module, then refresh or re-login.
- Uploaded wrong folder level: the module folder must directly contain
__manifest__.py. - Permission error when opening menu: user has the menu but not the model rights—update the user’s groups and try again.
Tips (Recommended Best Practice)
Recommended
- Use a custom addons folder for third-party modules (easier upgrades, cleaner maintenance).
- Install first on a test database before installing on production.
- After changing access rights, ask users to re-login to load the new menus properly.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to restart the Odoo service after uploading the addon folder.
- Not running “Update Apps List”, then assuming the addon is missing.
- Installing the module but not giving users access rights (so menus don’t appear).
- Uploading a ZIP file without extracting it first.