Protect javascript source code for Word addin

Question

Protect javascript source code for Word addin

Kees Jan Hoogland 21

Dear community,

We have developed a Word addin in javascript.
All the code for this addin is executed on the client side, no calls are made to a back-end server.
The problem is that all the code is visible by using the 'Attach debugger' option in the sidebar in which the front-end of the addin is shown.
The question: Is it possible to disable this debug option or hide the javascript code in any other way? or is the only way to achieve this to move all the business logic to a back-end server?

Accepted answer

0 additional answers

Your answer

Answer 1

Rick Kirkham 281 Microsoft Employee

There is no way to hide JavaScript in web apps in general, so you can't hide it in add-ins either. The best you can do is use an obfuscator/minifier tool to make the code difficult for a human to read.

Kees Jan Hoogland 21 Reputation points

2021-08-18T07:59:33.407+00:00

Thank you RickKirkham-9346. I was afraid of that and hoped that Microsoft would offer a protected browser within Word.
We already minify and obfuscate the code, but even then a user can still copy the code and use the addin without a license.
Is the only way to avoid this to move a part of the business logic to the back-end?
Rick Kirkham 281 Reputation points Microsoft Employee

2021-08-18T17:08:07.47+00:00

Yes. as I understand it, code that you want to absolutely protect cannot be in client side JavaScript.
Eddie 0 Reputation points

2024-01-04T15:50:43.3433333+00:00

Following up on this, a few years later.. how does Microsoft propose that client based add-ins are developed and distributed for commercial purposes? Web-assembly could be one way to protect code; is this part of any roadmap? Will VBA continue to be serviced for Office applications as Microsoft moves towards cloud?

Share via

Protect javascript source code for Word addin

0 additional answers

Your answer