Javascript Macros for Mastering Excel

My goal is to use Javascript macros to handle excel spreadsheets instead of the standard VBA. I have found a way to run javascript code through VBA, as shown below:

'javascript to execute
Dim b As String
b = "function meaningOfLife(a,b) {return 42;}"

'VBA tool to run it
Dim o As New ScriptControl
o.Language = "JScript"
o.AddCode b
MsgBox o.Run("meaningOfLife", 0, 1)

While this method lets me run custom javascript code, I still cannot access worksheet values directly from within the javascript environment. Is there a way to set and retrieve worksheet values in the active worksheet using javascript?

Answer №1

If you're a user of Excel 2016 or a newer version, there's a handy Excel add-in known as Funfun available in the add-in store. It allows you to write and execute JavaScript code directly within Excel, with access to the data stored in your spreadsheet. Take a look at this screenshot showcasing how it appears in Excel 2016.

https://i.sstatic.net/VS1ei.png

In the middle of the interface, there's a section where you can input JavaScript, CSS, and HTML code - essentially like a playground integrated into Excel. Moreover, Funfun offers an online editor for testing the code. Here's a link to an example provided in the first picture for you to experiment with.

https://i.sstatic.net/KYHpY.png

The unique feature of the Funfun online editor is its 'spreadsheet' resembling Excel that enables testing code directly on your data. While no formatting options are available, you can simply copy data into cells and test your code. To utilize the spreadsheet data, just configure the short.io file in Funfun by specifying the data location in the spreadsheet to JavaScript. For instance, in the shared example, you'd need to specify:

{
    "data": "=A2:B9"
}

Within the JavaScript code, use the object $internal to read the data. To access the data in A2:B9, the code would be:

var data = $internal.data;

That's it! If you wish to delve deeper, refer to the documentation of Funfun for more insights.

If content with the results achieved in the online editor, easily load them into your Excel using the provided URL. Initially, insert the Funfun add-in via Insert - My add-ins. Refer to these screenshots illustrating the process.

https://i.sstatic.net/VYfcY.png

https://i.sstatic.net/gnD1s.png

Disclaimer: I'm one of the developers behind Funfun.

Answer №2

There are various ways to approach "Excel programming", depending on your specific needs.

If you need to manipulate Excel files, options include utilizing COM automation or potentially using ODBC with JavaScript in the Windows scripting environment.

However, if you require your code to run within an active Excel session and interact visually with the user, the available options are more limited.

A few years ago, I faced a similar situation where I wanted to run JavaScript within Excel without converting to VBA due to budget constraints. You can check out the question I posted back then for more information:

How can I use JavaScript within an Excel macro?

Answer №3

Jade is widely considered the top choice for Excel Add-Ins when it comes to data manipulation. Check out JADE here

For advanced analytics, FunFun is often recommended as the go-to tool. Explore FunFun capabilities here

https://i.sstatic.net/ZLQ3b.jpg

Similar questions

If you have not found the answer to your question or you are interested in this topic, then look at other similar questions below or use the search

Troubleshooting problems with data rendering in jQuery

Currently, my goal is to use JQuery to display a menu of checkboxes based on a specific template in a div. To enhance user experience, I have included a search box that will filter the menu items. However, there is an unusual issue occurring. When the men ...

Once it hits the fourth tab, it must not cycle back to the first one

Hi there, I'm new to JavaScript I noticed that when I click the left and right arrows, the tabs circle back to the beginning However, I would like the circle to stop. When it reaches the fourth tab, it should not go back to the first. This should also ...

What is the proper way to enable the Google Analytics cookie only once another consent cookie has been set and is marked as "true"?

I am currently using React/Nextjs on my website along with the react-cookie-consent library. This setup generates a pop-up where users can agree to the cookie policy, and if they do, a CookieConsent with the value "true" is set. In addition to this, I wis ...

Having Difficulty Configuring Async Request Outcome

I'm struggling to access the outcome of an asynchronous request made to an rss feed. After reading a post on How do I return the response from an asynchronous call?, which recommended using Promises, I tried implementing one. However, even though the ...

Finding the location of PIE.htc in the Firebug tool

After encountering issues with CSS3 properties not working on IE 7 and IE 8, I decided to include PIE.HTC. Visit this link for more information Upon viewing the page in IE, I realized that the CSS3 properties were not being applied as expected. I attempt ...

Problem with JavaScript and Basic HTML5 Canvas

I'm trying to dive into learning about using a canvas, but I just can't seem to get this basic code to work. Does anyone know what I might be doing wrong? Link to jsfiddle <canvas id="ctx" width="500" height="500" style="border:1px solid #00 ...

TinyMCE version 5.x - Stand out with a specific selection in a personalized drop-down navigation bar

In my customized TinyMCE 5.x dropdown menu, there are 3 options that adjust the width of the editor. I am looking for a way to indicate the currently selected option, but I am unable to interact with the menu items once they are initialized. It seems like ...

The Gateway to Github: Unveiling the Mysteries through a

I need assistance in creating a static web page that can extract and showcase all the latest pull requests from a specified GitHub repository. My intention is to utilize octokit.js, but it seems to be designed for node.js. Is there any simple approach to ...

How can communication be established between JavaScript and a .NET app?

I've been developing a help system using HTML, and I want to include clickable links that can trigger commands in a .NET application (such as guiding users through tutorials or workflows). I have explored the TCard() method for HTML help, but it seems ...

An unexpected error has occurred: Uncaught promise rejection with the following message: Assertion error detected - The type provided is not a ComponentType and does not contain the 'ɵcmp' property

I encountered an issue in my Angular app where a link was directing to an external URL. When clicking on that link, I received the following error message in the console: ERROR Error: Uncaught (in promise): Error: ASSERTION ERROR: Type passed in is not Co ...

Tips for choosing a specific cell in a table

I currently have a total of 14 cells that have been generated. Is there a way for me to individually select and manipulate a specific cell out of the 14? I am looking to make only one cell unique, while leaving the rest to be displayed as they are in the ...

Developing JSON with the use of jQuery

My latest project involves creating an application that converts HTML tables to JSON format. The code is functioning properly, but I've encountered an issue when the td or th elements contain inner components like span or other child elements. While I ...

I'm having trouble locating the corresponding end tag for "<%". How can I resolve this issue?

Here lies the issue: <% for(let i = 0; i < <%= elements %>.length; i++){ %> <li><%= elements[i] %></li> <%}%> ...

Remove the background color from a semi-transparent circular CSS div when it is being dragged

My circular div is being dragged for a drag and drop operation, but there's always a translucent square around it. How can I remove this unwanted effect? body{ background : #BBD1DF; } .dragdemo { width: 170px; height: 170px; line-hei ...

Updating the JSON data with a new row

I am trying to dynamically add a new row to my JSON data when the user clicks on a link. Despite not receiving any errors, I am unable to see the updated JSON in my alert message. $(document).ready( function(){ people = { "COLUMNS":["NAME","AGE"], ...

Tips for effectively implementing an Ajax request with JavaScript when the page loads

I have been developing a shopping cart application that utilizes local storage to store the items added by users. The challenge I'm currently facing is populating the page with the user's cart items stored in local storage when they navigate away ...

Exploring ngModel components with a specified class

In my HTML code, I've assigned many elements with ngModel defined as ng-model = "object.[something]". For example: <div class="form-group row" ng-model="object.askUser"> I use this method to keep my purpose clear for these elements. My questi ...

What occurs when Render() is called during animation in React?

Curious about how React handles rendering during a component's animation? Let's explore an example where a component is re-rendered due to a state change triggered during its animation. Imagine a scenario where a component's animation lasts ...

Tips for properly aligning an image within an owl carousel

Currently, I am attempting to center a small image within the owl carousel. While I have managed to center it when it's active and in the center, I'm encountering issues when the item no longer carries the "center" class. You can access Owlcarou ...

What is the method for pulling information from MySQL and presenting it on a website using Node.js?

Currently, my goal is to retrieve data from MySQL and showcase it on my HTML page. The code snippet in server.js looks like this: const path = require('path'); const express = require('express'); const bodyParser = require("body-pa ...