MS Office Add-in using C++

Question

I want to create some UI in MS Office apps in Windows OS (mostly Word, Excel, Powerpoint). The UI can be a task pane. Minimum i have to support MS Office version 2016. If its support MS Office 2007, 2010, 2013 too, it is well and good. First i am doing for Windows OS. If its supports Mac OS too, it is well and good.

I need to use some programming language independent of any dependencies. Also i need a resultant file which can be installed on any user machine. For ex: a dll file which can be installed and registered on any user machine using an installer. I want anyone in the world can download my installer and install and use my app.

(i) I gone through Office Javascript Add-in, but there is deployment issues as i don't want to use Office Store. I don't like to ask the users to manually install the addin from Office Store.

(ii) VSTO Add-in seems to have .NET and VSTO runtime dependencies. I don't like to ask the users to install the dependencies.

I came to know about C++ COM Add-in but i don't get enough documentation to do it.

Kindly provide solution asap.

Answer 1

This Microsoft sample is quite old, but it should get you started - https://github.com/microsoftarchive/msdn-code-gallery-microsoft/tree/master/Microsoft%20Office%20Developer%20Documentation%20Team/Outlook%202010%20Building%20a%20C%2B%2B%20Add-In