>>>What a strange idea… ActiveX (aka COM objects) are already difficult to control on the server… browser should only deal with simple HTML/CSS/JS/AJAX and let the server do all the dirty job!
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>OK, the task is to populate versions of Word document formfields via VBA, using settings provided by the user, and then allow local editing. I suppose the initial formfield population could be done at a server, but tech decision was that Word on the server created reliability risks and it was better to do it locally so any SNAFU wouldn't consume server instances. I agree it's a PITA so if you know a better alternative, I'm all ears!


OK, here is what a FoxInCloud client application does:

• builds contracts from data entered in the Web App: see sample contract


• all data comes from the database, no manual rework


• assembles fragment in the Open Office Document (.odt) including «substituable text»


• substitutes text with content from the database


• automates Open Office to build a PDF out of the .odt