The Relm Pro Excel add-in uses a device-link sign-in flow. Instead of asking for your username and password inside Excel, it shows a short code; you complete sign-in in your browser, and the add-in picks up your session. This is the standard pattern for desktop / native apps that authenticate against a web-grade identity provider.
Why device link rather than a typical sign-in form
Two reasons:
- Security. We never want your Relm password, SSO credential, or MFA token typed into a non-browser context. Excel taskpanes are a web view, but routing through your real browser keeps the full anti-phishing protections of your identity provider intact.
- MFA. Multi-factor sign-in works cleanly in your browser — you might have a hardware security key plugged in, a passkey, or app-based push. All of those work in your browser; few work reliably from inside Excel.
The flow
- Click Sign in in the Relm Pro taskpane.
- The taskpane shows a 6-character code. Example:
BX7-Q9D. - A browser tab opens to
relm.ai/sign-in/excel?code=...(or similar). - The browser prompts you to confirm the code matches the one in Excel.
- If you're already signed in to Relm in your browser, Confirm completes sign-in.
- If you're not signed in, sign in normally (SSO, magic link, password, plus MFA), then confirm the code.
- The Excel taskpane updates to "Signed in" and the device-link finishes.
The whole flow is usually under 30 seconds.
Token lifecycle
Once the device link completes, the add-in receives a JWT scoped to your Relm session. The token:
- Is scoped to your specific Excel install (a "device").
- Auto-renews silently while you're using Excel.
- Expires if Excel is closed for an extended period.
- Can be revoked from Settings → Sessions in Relm at any time.
Multi-account
You can sign in to multiple Relm accounts from the same Excel installation — useful if you consult for several firms. Use the account switcher in the taskpane to flip between sessions.
Signing out
In the taskpane, click your avatar and Sign out. The token is revoked immediately. To sign out everywhere from Excel, also revoke the device session from Settings → Sessions in Relm.
Common issues
- "Code expired." Codes are good for ~10 minutes. Click Sign in again to get a new one.
- "Browser tab didn't open automatically." Some Mac configurations don't auto-launch a browser from Excel. Copy the URL shown in the taskpane and paste it into your browser manually.
- "I confirmed in the browser but the taskpane still says 'Sign in'." The taskpane polls every few seconds. Wait 10 seconds; if it doesn't pick up, click Sign in again.