> The JS API/environment was for “apps” that load in side-bar panes in Office 365’ desktop and web titles - it didn’t have access to the same COM automation AP

> The JS API/environment was for “apps” that load in side-bar panes in Office 365’ desktop and web titles - it didn’t have access to the same COM automation API that VBA uses, let alone things like the local file system, registry (God-forbid), local network, etc. They don't allow unsecured access the local system, thankfully, but Javascript add-ins are basically equivalent to the actual Excel COM API. You're linking to an "office scripts" page which is for a more recent macro-recorder like functionality, but the actual javascript api (https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/javascript/api/excel?view=excel-js-preview https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/javascript/api/excel?view=e...) is fairly complete and basically equivalent to the Excel COM API that you would use through VBA. It is also not limited to sidebars.