Setup: Install & Enable the Module

Download the most recent copy of the module (the full addon folder). Often it comes as a ZIP file.

Make sure you have the complete addon folder that contains files like __manifest__.py (or __openerp__.py in older versions) and sub-folders like models, views, security.

Checklist: After extracting the ZIP, you should see your_module_name/__manifest__.py (not your_module_name/your_module_name/__manifest__.py).

Copy the entire addon folder into one of your Odoo addons locations. Many companies keep custom modules in a separate folder (recommended) so upgrades are easier.

• Default addons: inside the Odoo installation addons folder (usually used for standard Odoo modules)
• Custom addons: a folder like custom_addons or extra-addons (recommended for custom modules)

Important:

• Do not rename the module folder unless your developer asked you to. Odoo reads the module name from the folder and manifest.
• Do not put the ZIP file directly inside addons. You must extract it so Odoo can read the files.
• Avoid double folders: Odoo must directly see __manifest__.py inside the module folder.

What you should see: After copying, your addons folder should contain the module folder like custom_addons/your_module_name.

Restart Odoo so it can detect the new addon folder.

• Windows (common): Open Services → find your Odoo service → click Restart.
• Linux (common): Restart the Odoo service (for example via systemctl restart odoo if your admin uses systemd).

Why this matters: Odoo reads addons and Python code at startup. If you don’t restart, Odoo may not detect the module correctly.

Developer Mode unlocks technical options like Update Apps List, advanced menus, and debugging tools.

To enable it:

• Go to Settings.
• Look for Activate the developer mode (wording may differ slightly by Odoo version).

If you cannot find the option, ask your administrator — some users may not have rights to enable developer features.

This step tells Odoo to scan your addons folders again and refresh the list of available modules.

• Go to Apps.
• In Developer Mode, click Update Apps List.
• Confirm if Odoo asks for confirmation.

What you should see: After updating, searching in Apps should show your module (if it is in the correct addons path and Odoo restarted successfully).

In the Apps menu:

• Clear the default “Apps” filter if needed (some Odoo versions only show “Apps” by default and hide technical modules).
• Search by the module name (or a keyword from its description).
• Open the module card and click Install.

What you should see: Odoo will show an “Installed” status when it finishes. New menus may appear immediately, but sometimes you need to refresh your browser.

Some modules provide demo data (example forms, sample records) to help you understand how it works.

• If demo data is enabled on your database, Odoo may load demo examples automatically during installation.
• If demo data is disabled, you will still be able to use the module normally — you just won’t see sample records.

Tip: For production/live databases, demo data is usually disabled (this is a good practice).

Installing a module does not automatically give access to all users. Odoo uses groups (roles) to decide who can see menus and who can create/edit data.

To assign access:

• Go to Settings → Users & Companies → Users
• Open the user
• Go to the Access Rights tab
• Find the module’s security group (for example: Dynamic Forms User / Manager / Administrator)
• Save

Which role should you choose?

• User: for regular users who create forms and view submissions
• Manager: for team leads who may need delete/cleanup permissions
• Administrator: for admins who manage module configuration/settings

If you are not sure, start with User (minimum) and increase only if the user gets an access error.

After changing access rights, refresh your browser page (or log out and log in again). Odoo sometimes needs a refresh to apply new menu visibility.

Now confirm:

• The module appears in the app switcher (the grid of apps) or main menu
• You can open the screens without “Access Error” messages

If you still cannot see the menu, it usually means the user is missing the correct group.

• Go to Apps and search for the module.
• Make sure the status shows Installed.

• Log in as a user who should access the module (or ask that user to log in).
• Open the app switcher (the grid of apps) and check the module menu is visible.
• If the menu is missing, go to Settings → Users and assign the correct group, then refresh.

• Go to the module → Forms → Create.
• Name it clearly, for example: Test Form (Setup).
• Add 2 simple fields (example: Name and Email).
• Save the form.

• Click Publish (or the equivalent action in your module).
• Open the public URL / preview link in a new browser tab.

What you should see: The form opens without errors and shows your two fields.

• Fill the form with a sample name and email.
• Click Submit.

What you should see: A success message (or thank-you message) after submitting.

• Go back to Odoo.
• Open the module’s Submissions menu (or the equivalent list).
• Confirm your test entry is visible.

If your module is configured to create Odoo records (for example Lead/Partner/Ticket) using mappings, confirm that the related record is created correctly.