Accessing Office object model from Browser

[Jim Bassett]

I most familiar with window forms based development including the Office
object model and I am looking into doing a web application that can access a
client's Office installed on their PC via the object model. Also is it
possible to access Com objects on a PC via the web or .NET assemblies. I
assume the COM and assemblies would need to be signed. Is this possible or am
I going down the wrong road as I suspect being able to do what I describe is
a security concern? Thank you

 

[Alvin Bruney [MVP]]

It's pretty easy, at least i think so. 2 step process. write an assembly to
do what you want. call that assembly from a windows form to make sure it is
working as expected. If it is, the next step is to embed the assembly in a
web form using the <object> tag and a path that points to the assembly on
disk. That's it. Well not really, you still have security to deal with. Turn
caspol off at a command prompt to make sure your web page is doing what you
want. Finally, run the caspol configuration utility to assign permissions to
the assembly.
Here is a link to create managed user controls:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555685
Here is a link to cas for managed user controls:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555688

 

[Jim Bassett]

Thank you Alvin! In the sentence with "...<object> tag and a path that points
to the assembly on disk." Are you referring to the assembly on the server or
is there a need to send down an assembly to the client?

 

[Alvin Bruney [MVP]]

in the web page, the object tag will refer to the assembly on the server so
you do something like http://wherever.com/assemblyname#classname so similar
syntax. The browser will then fetch the assembly and push it to the download
cache on the client machine. That is the local equivalent of the GAC. This
is also partial trust which is why you will need to *maybe* tweak CAS policy
to allow it to work. Depending on what the assembly is doing, you may not
need to.

 

[Jim Bassett]

Thank you Alvin you replies have cleared things up for me!!

 

[Jim Bassett]

Alvin I just now noticed your mention of a book you have coming out. I will
be sure to purchase it!!

 

[Alvin Bruney [MVP]]

It's now available but only on lulu.com/owc for the 2nd edition.

--
Regards,
Alvin Bruney
------------------------------------------------------
Shameless Author Plug
OWC Black Book 2nd Edition
Exclusively on www.lulu.com/owc
$24.99

 

[Jim Bassett]

I look at the site and your book and I see the subject material of the book
is what I am asking about in this thread. I ordered the book and with them
being in Dallas and I in Fort Worth get it soon and look forward to reading
it and using the material in it. Thank you for the "Shameless Author Plug"
The online forums are such great networking tools!!!