Powerpoint office Addin missing API.

Question

Hi,

We were trying to develop a powerpoint office addin based on javascript using https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/javascript/api/overview?view=powerpoint-js-1.5  as a reference.

We are trying to manipulate the pptx file on the desktop using addin. We had following queries:

1. Is it possible to have a self contained javascript powerpoint office addin without an external web server in production. I could not find any examples of the same
2. Could not find any API to get image of shape or slide
3. The API document.getSelectedDataAsync(Office.CoercionType,options,callback) does not allow image type coercion with powerpoint. I get an error saying coercion type not supported with document
4. Is there any API to select a shape in the slide.
5. Could not find any API to parse the paragraphs in a textbox
6. Could not find any API to get animations in the presentation/slide/shape
7. Coverage for shape types does not include ink shapes/slide number shapes/video frame shape etc..

I have verified the above upto powerpoint Javascript API 1.5 and preview. Are these APIs being planned for an upcoming release ? Could you point me to the right link if any of the API already does exist?

Regards

Answer 1

VBA and COM use the same object models for PowerPoint, but frequently MS doesn't add OM support for new features. That's historically been the case; I'm not an MS employee, so can't tell you what MS will do in the future, but they do seem to be neglecting the VBA/COM model in favor of javascript addins, though at present, javascript object model access is FAR more limited than VBA/COM.

Answer 2

Thanks for reverting, does COM automation based on C# or VBA have support for new and upcoming features in powerpoint ?

Do VBA and COM API use the same object model for microsoft office/powerpoint and will that object model get new and upcoming features in powerpoint?

I am referring to https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/vba/api/overview/powerpoint/object-model.

Regards.

Answer 3

Question: Do you need your add-in to work across all supported platforms (Windows/Mac/Web/iOS/Android)? If so, javascript add-ins are pretty much your only option, and unfortunately, PowerPoint doesn't seem to have received anywhere near the amount of developer love that Excel has. There's an awful lot that isn't supported.

If Windows+Mac support is all you need, you'd be far better off using VBA, or if Windows-only, any programming language that supports COM automation.

I wish I could offer more/better/specific advice re javascript add-ins, but for the kind of automation I do in PPT, they're pretty much a non-starter every time I investigate them, so I haven't gone any father into it. Sorry ....