ActiveX Document

ActiveX Document (also known as DocObject or DocObj^[1]) is a Microsoft technology that allows users to view and edit Microsoft Word, Excel, and PDF documents inside web browsers.^[2] It defines a set of Component Object Model coding contracts between hosting programs like Internet Explorer or Microsoft Office Binder^[3] and hosted documents from programs like Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel and Adobe Reader. This allows them to negotiate communications about commands like save and navigate, as well as merging user interface elements such as menu,^[4] to provide a unified user experience.

Initially designed for compound documents based on COM Structured Storage, the technology allows one single hosting program like Office Binder to contain unlimited type of documents.^[3] The server program that provides an ActiveX document can be an EXE or a DLL server.

^ Definition of ActiveX Documents
^ Microsoft readies DocObject; technology will allow document editing in Web browsers, InfoWorld, April 29, 1996, page 49
^ ^a ^b Microsoft promises compound documents. (Win95 Suites Set to Clash) by Greenberg, Ilan, InfoWorld June 5, 1995 http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-17053478/microsoft-promises-compound-documents.html
^ Menus in Active Documents, Visual FoxPro 7.0 documentation, by Microsoft https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa903362(v=VS.71).aspx

[1] Definition of ActiveX Documents

[2] Microsoft readies DocObject; technology will allow document editing in Web browsers, InfoWorld, April 29, 1996, page 49

[InfoworldJune1995-3] Microsoft promises compound documents. (Win95 Suites Set to Clash) by Greenberg, Ilan, InfoWorld June 5, 1995 http://www.accessmylibrary.com/article-1G1-17053478/microsoft-promises-compound-documents.html

[4] Menus in Active Documents, Visual FoxPro 7.0 documentation, by Microsoft https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa903362(v=VS.71).aspx

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