I’ve installed my Axiom product for MicroStation. Why don't I see an Axiom menu/ribbon?

I’ve installed my Axiom product for MicroStation. Why don't I see an Axiom menu/ribbon?

After an Axiom product installation, you should see an Axiom pull-down menu or Axiom ribbon in MicroStation. Occasionally the menu will be missing even after a successful Axiom product installation. In this article we'll go through the  list of possible reasons for the menu to not display - most of which are simple to solve.

Incorrect installer

Are you installing for MicroStation V8i or for MicroStation V10/2025?
These platforms require different installers. If you have both versions of MicroStation or Bentley verticals installed, you may have used the wrong installer.

Have a look at the name of your installer. It will either refer to V8 or to V10 or a year (20##).
If you are installing for V8, the installer will have "v8" in the name. Example: officev8setup.exe
If you are installing for V10 or later CONNECT versions, the installer will have either "v10" in the name or a year. Example: officev10setup.exe or officev2025setup.exe

Different version of Bentley software was chosen at install time

When you install Axiom software, it only installs for the one version of Bentley software you chose during that installation. We've found that many users have multiple installations of Bentley software installed.
You have two choices: 
1. Run the installer again.
This option probably requires no explanation. Just run the installer again and choose the Bentley application you want your Axiom software to work with.
2. Transfer your Axiom.cfg file to the desired Bentley directory.
During installation, we create a config file in an application directory in the Bentley product that you installed for. This config file can be used by any supported Bentley application. You just have to copy it to the new MicroStation version in which you'd like your Axiom software to load. The application directory lives in the same relative location for every Bentley product installation.
Example Bentley "application" directory locations
MicroStation 2025 -- C:\Program Files\Bentley\MicroStation 2025\MicroStation\config\appl\
OpenRoads Designer 2024 -- C:\Program Files\Bentley\OpenRoads Designer 2024.00\OpenRoadsDesigner\config\appl\

Wrong workflow selected

With the advent of MicroStation CONNECT and later versions of MicroStation, Bentley introduced "Workflows". Workflows are intended to display the ribbon tabs and tools required for a named type of design work or workflow. The Axiom ribbon only displays in the "Drawing" workflow. If you're certain your Axiom software installation was successful, make sure you're in the "Drawing" workflow to ensure your Axiom product ribbon tab displays.

Configuration variable conflict

Bentley uses a number of variables and definitions to define the look and feel of the MicroStation environment. Axiom software utilizes several of these same provided Bentley variables to load.
Occasionally there can be a configuration variable conflict. What this means is that a variable your Axiom product(s) need to use is in some way blocked by the way the variables are being used in your MicroStation session. This is normally not hard to solve. Unfortunately since MicroStation is highly customizable, there isn’t an answer that fits all cases. The best thing to do is contact Axiom Support for help at Support@AxiomInt.com. We'll schedule a video meeting with you to so we can find and solve the conflict quickly.