Google add-ons vs Microsoft Office Apps: Read/Write tests

We've been spending a lot of time with the Office/Productivity offerings from Google (Google Drive/Docs/Sheets) and Microsoft (Office 365, SharePoint, Word, Excel) and both of these two platforms have some drawbacks, but also some redeeming factors... Read the rest of this entry →

Creating a standard setup project using WiX Designer

Today, I'll walk you through how to use the Designer for Visual Studio WiX Setup Projects to create a standard install package for desktop application. Along the way, we'll utilize the user interface editor to add a custom screen to the installer... Read the rest of this entry →

How to create Excel Apps for Office 365

About a week ago we explored the aspects of extending Google Spreadsheets by creating Apps scripts. In that example, we created a sidebar and custom menus with which the user could specify the orientation their current selection could be changed to. In today's article, we'll attempt the same functionality, but this time using the Napa development tools for Office 365. ... Read the rest of this entry →

How to create Word Apps for Office 365

We thought that after we investigated how to create customization for Google Docs and Google Sheets, it is about time we tackle the Napa Office 365 development tools again. We'll create a Task Pane app for Microsoft Word, similar to the one we created for Google Docs that will allow the user to shuffle either the selected words, sentences or paragraphs in a Microsoft Word document... Read the rest of this entry →

How to develop Google spreadsheet add-ons

In my previous article, we looked at extending Google Docs by creating a Google App Script. In today's article we'll explore the method of adding additional functionality inside a Google Spreadsheet. We'll create script that changes the orientation of a selection to either vertical or horizontal based on the option the user selected... Read the rest of this entry →

What’s new in the WiX Designer Beta 2?

Last November we introduced the WiX Designer beta 1, a product that fills the void felt by anyone that uses the now deprecated Visual Studio setup tools. We received a lot of enthusiasm and great feedback and we thank you for it... Read the rest of this entry →

Office 2013 SP1 and you… the developer

The release of Office 2013 Service Pack 1 offers significant new features the Apps for Office developer. So what's in Service Pack 1? Like I said… a LOT. I've compiled the information here in an effort to make it bookmark-worthy starting point/reading list to help you get-up-to-speed... Read the rest of this entry →

Google Apps, WiX Designer Beta 2, Add-in Express for IE and other news

During the last few month, I have patiently kept silence, though torn with the desire to share quite interesting news with you. But one thing stopped me – we were tied with the NDA signed between Add-in Express and Google... Read the rest of this entry →

Building Google Docs add-on with Apps Scripts

Google Apps provides a whole new set of opportunities for developers by enabling them to build web apps and automate tasks inside Google Apps using the Google Apps Script. I've spend some time delving into the Google Apps Script library and found I, as a Microsoft Office developer, was remarkably comfortable with the object model the Google Apps Script provides... Read the rest of this entry →

Creating and modifying PowerPoint presentations (end-to-end sample)

We're drawing our PowerPoint series to a close and it only makes sense to end with an "end-to-end" sample. See what I did there? We've covered the base objects and provided code samples. Today, I'll tie them together in a single add-in that supports a specific business use case... Read the rest of this entry →

Creating Microsoft InfoPath add-ins in Visual Studio with Add-in Express

Earlier this year, Microsoft has also announced that it will discontinue InfoPath to pursue a more integrated experience for Office forms. So look out for some InfoPath features being integrated into Word, Access and SharePoint in the future! ... Read the rest of this entry →

Creating and modifying MS Project files programmatically

In my last two articles we looked at the MS Project object model and how to customize the MS Project UI. In this article, we'll take what we've learned and explore how you can use data from other sources to either create or add to your MS Project files.... Read the rest of this entry →

Office Newswire: Office 2013 Service Pack 1 offers new features for developers

Hey hey… after a year+ of Office 2013 and Office 365, we have reached the SP1 milestone! This means businesses all over the world now think Office 2013 is suitable for the business. I argue it already but that's the joke about Microsoft releases isn't it?... Read the rest of this entry →

PowerPoint UI Customization: custom ribbons, toolbars, menus

In my last article, I discussed the PowerPoint object model. Today, I want to discuss the various ways we can customize the PowerPoint user interface... Read the rest of this entry →

Project 2013 UI customization

When it comes to developing add-ins for Microsoft Project you cannot be blamed for feeling that MS Project is a bit of a second-rate citizen in the MS Office suite of products. Its object model does not feel quite as polished as the Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel object models... Read the rest of this entry →

Programming for Microsoft Project 2013

Microsoft Project is a product that not many people realize is part of the Microsoft Office family. It is also a product that most users do not have on their PC. Where you do see it, however, is on the computer of many project managers and herein lies the opportunity for us as Office developers... Read the rest of this entry →

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