The new TwinBasic software built on VS Code also allows you to build Visio add-ins:
https://twinbasic.com/
Looks like it doesn't work via the .NET interop, that could mean a significant performance advantage what do you think?
Very interesting to see how this new tool develops!
That's interesting. I didn't see anything about Visio add-ins, but I only skimmed the site quickly. It looks like it can build EXEs and ActiveX DLLs. EXEs are often useful as utilities for "doing stuff to Visio", but can run a bit slower than add-ins, and just aren't as nicely integrated.
I bet it is a pleasure to work with, as VBA is so painfully old--doesn't even have built in sort methods--I hate working with it. I don't even like "trying stuff out", because I find LINQPad works almost as well, and I can easily copy some old script and modify it.
I've fiddled with Rubber Duck (https://rubberduckvba.com/) which extends the existing VBA interface and tries to bring it screaming and kicking into the 21st century.
I have also made my on "COM Add-in for VBA", which adds useful functions to the VBA editor. The main thing I do with that is to export all the code in this project to text files with the press of one button. Good for backing up VBA work.
See here on Twitter TwinBasic builds Office add-ins too:
https://twitter.com/waynephillipsea/status/1388776942044856320?s=21
These guys built this VBA error handler which works wonders in Visio too:
https://www.everythingaccess.com/vbwatchdog.asp
Have saved me from writing a lot of error handling code!
(ok I misunderstood, VBE = Visual Basic Editor add-in, yes something quite different then)
Hopefully they will allow developing native COM add-ins for Office.
VisioGuy I checked with the developer yes you can build Office COM addins! In fact they will put up sample code for an Access COM addin in a few days!
Looks like Visual Basic is back with a vengeance in 2021, who'd ever thought!
(I will wait for TwinBasic to stabilize before doing any real project with it of course, but if this project becomes as solid a solution as their amazing vbWatchdog it will be great!)
I imagine that someday you'll be able to make add-ins in Visio with javascript as well--similar to how other Office add-ins operate today. I think, then, your add-ins can be used for web-based versions of the product as well. I haven't tried making any Office add-ins with the "new" technology, but I think that's the idea is to be able to use them on desktop and in the cloud. Plus, they play more nicely with the Store.
Here is a TwinBasic sample office add-in project for Access/Excel:
https://twinbasic.com/downloads/twinBASIC_myCOMAddin.zip