Advice for Excel integration

[giorag]

Hi,

I’ve started to work on a product that will have a deep integration with Excel with the following requirements.

1. Installation: A one-time installation of the Add-on across all Excel files on a user's machine.
2. Tracking: The Add-on should adeptly track all user interactions within the spreadsheet, including cell updates, copy-pasting, format changes, and more, with the ability to store this data locally.
3. Communication:The Add-on supports two-way communication with a backend service.
4. UI Integration & Interactive Features: Incorporating a rich Excel right-pane copilot-like user interface; the add-on will be able to focus on specific areas within the spreadsheet, highlight cells, and interact with dynamic popups.

I’m wondering what Excel extensibility framework I should be using: VBA, JS, COM or .NET (or perhaps none of them fully support what I’m looking for). If anyone has experience or insights into which framework would be most appropriate for these requirements, I would greatly appreciate your guidance.

Thanks,

[#2]

@giorag 

For the requirements you've outlined, a combination of different Excel extensibility frameworks may be necessary to achieve your goals. Here's a breakdown of each framework and its suitability for your requirements:

1. VBA (Visual Basic for Applications):

• VBA is suitable for automating tasks, creating custom functions, and interacting with Excel's object model.
• It can handle installation across all Excel files on a user's machine and track user interactions within the spreadsheet.
• However, VBA has limitations when it comes to UI integration and dynamic features like popups.

2. JavaScript:

• JavaScript APIs like Office.js provide powerful capabilities for extending Excel with web-based add-ins.
• They support UI integration, interactive features, and two-way communication with backend services.
• However, JavaScript add-ins may have limitations in terms of accessing local resources and tracking user interactions.

3. COM (Component Object Model):

• COM allows you to create Excel add-ins using languages like C# or VB.NET.
• COM add-ins offer full access to Excel's object model and can handle installation across all Excel files.
• They support UI integration, interactive features, and communication with backend services.
• However, COM add-ins require more development effort and may be more complex to deploy and maintain.

4. .NET:

• .NET Framework or .NET Core can be used to create Excel add-ins using COM or other approaches like VSTO (Visual Studio Tools for Office) or Office Add-ins.
• .NET add-ins offer similar capabilities to COM add-ins and can provide tight integration with Excel.
• They support UI integration, interactive features, and communication with backend services.
• Like COM add-ins, .NET add-ins require more development effort and may have deployment complexities.

Given your requirements, a combination of VBA for basic automation and tracking, and a .NET-based approach for advanced UI integration, interactive features, and backend communication may be the most suitable solution. You can leverage the strengths of each framework to build a comprehensive Excel add-in that meets your needs. However, the exact approach will depend on factors like your development skills, resources, and project constraints.

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