Access a .docx file on my device by utilizing the Microsoft JavaScript API

In my current project, I am developing a Microsoft Word add-in using TypeScript, React, and the Word API. One of the key features of this add-in will allow users to open a document located on their computer, such as "C:\Test\Test.docx", with just a click of a button situated in the task pane of the add-in.

By leveraging the Word's API, I believe it is possible to open an existing document by first converting it or its filepath to a base64 string. This base64 string can then be utilized with the method "createDocument(base64File)". For more information on this topic, you can visit this link.

However, the challenge lies in obtaining this base64 string. My research so far has mainly pointed towards uploading documents to generate a base64 string, which might not necessarily be required for opening an already existing document.

Unfortunately, I do not have any specific code snippets to showcase at the moment.

const openWordDocument = (): void => {
    Word.run(async (context) => {
      context.application.createDocument().open();
    });
  };

Answer №1

Think of an Office add-in as a web application within the confines of similar restrictions. It does not have permission to access the computer's file system (with exceptions like saving cookies). This means it is unable to directly open files on the host computer. However, your add-in can retrieve a file from an online source like OneDrive or SharePoint, encode it in base64 format, and then utilize the createDocument method for further processing.

Answer №2

As Rick previously stated, Office web add-ins and other web applications do not have access to the file system. They operate within a sandbox environment (browser) that restricts direct file system access. One possible solution is to save files to local storage. The purpose of the createDocument(base64File) method is to allow for downloading files and opening them in Word.

If you have specific feature requests or suggestions, you can submit them on the Tech Community. These requests are reviewed by the Office development team during the planning process.

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