What replaces a COM add-in in Google Sheets?
COM add-ins are desktop Excel extensions that load through Windows. Google Sheets uses Workspace Marketplace add-ons and Apps Script libraries instead, all running in the cloud. Search the Marketplace or publish an internal add-on for team-wide installs.
When to use it
Use Marketplace add-ons or Apps Script libraries when an Excel COM add-in added menu commands or data connectors.
When to skip it
Skip add-on hunting when IMPORT functions, Connected Sheets, or a short script covers the integration.
Better Sheets resources
Related Tutorials
Watch how COM add-in works
MAKE Your Google Sheets Add-on WORK
Create an Internal Google Sheets Add-on
Advanced Coding in Google Sheets for Programmers
Check Your Google Sheets Add On Works
MAKE Your Google Sheets Add-on USABLE
The First Thing I Do When Starting a Google Sheet
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Google Workspace Marketplace for Sheets add-ons
The Google Workspace Marketplace is Google's directory where users discover and install Sheets add-ons and other Workspace extensions. Developers publish a listing with description, screenshots, privacy policy, and OAuth scopes; Google reviews the app before it appears in Install flows inside Sheets and admin consoles.
Read guide →Google Sheets add-ons
Add-ons are third-party extensions you install into Google Sheets from the Google Workspace Marketplace. They add menus, sidebars, and workflows for mail merge, CRM sync, charting, and more without writing your own Apps Script from scratch. Each add-on runs with permissions you approve at install time.
Read guide →Google Apps Script
Apps Script is Google's JavaScript platform for automating Sheets and other Workspace apps. From a spreadsheet you can open Extensions > Apps Script to write code that reads cells, sends email, builds menus, and runs on triggers. It goes beyond formulas when you need custom workflows tied to your file.
Read guide →Apps Script library
An Apps Script library is a shared script project you attach to other projects by script ID. Instead of copy-pasting the same utility functions into fifty workbooks, you publish one library and call LibraryName.doSomething() from each bound sheet. Libraries help teams standardize CRM helpers, API wrappers, and formatting tools.
Read guide →Done reading about COM add-in?
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