Excel Development

Microsoft Graph and Office.js

This doc mainly focuses on Excel part of Office.js. To learn Excel part of Microsoft Graph, please go to here.

In Office development, there are two technologies you will often hear - Microsoft Graph and Office.js.

What is the difference between Microsoft Graph and Office.js?

• Microsoft Graph lets you interact with Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, OneNote, Planner, SharePoint, etc. through REST API.

• Office.js lets you interact with Excel without network connection. It helps you build Office Add-ins.

Which one should I use?

• If you have an app which needs to interact with Office like Excel through REST APIT, then Microsoft Graph is your choice.

• If you want to build an add-in for Office like Excel to extend its functions, Office.js is your choice. However, you can also use Microsoft Graph in your add-in if neccessary.

What is Office Add-in

An Office add-in can add features and functions to Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, etc. The add-ins in Office Store can give you some ideas what an add-in can be done.

Why Office.js

There are many ways to build an add-in such as VBA, VSTO, and so on. Why do we provide a new way Office.js?

• Cross platform. If you build an add-in using Office.js. It will not only support Windows, Mac, but also iOS, Online version Office.
• Single sign in. It integrate easily with users' Office 365 account.
• Centralized deployment and distribution. It helps the admin in the organization easily deploy and apply it to all employees in the corganization.
• Now we have an Office store. You can submit your add-in in the store. It helps users find the add-in they want.
• An add-in built by Office.js is using the web technology. It is just a web app. Use any library you want!

For VSTO, VBA development, please check here.