WPS Add-Ins on macOS: Introduction

WPS Add-Ins help you manage and use WPS-specific plugin extensions; this guide covers 1 core task, with 1 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.

At a Glance

Metric	Value	Notes
Core tasks	1	Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index
Available without membership	1	Matches the number of Free rows in the index
Membership-related items	0	Matches the number of membership-related rows in the index

About This Feature

Overview

WPS Add-Ins let you manage and use WPS-specific plugin extensions in WPS Office. They support official and third-party WPS add-ins to extend spreadsheet-related workflows. On macOS, this guide focuses on the basic way to open the add-in entry point.

Core capabilities include:

Open the add-in entry point from the Developer Tools area.
Access available extensions in the WPS Add-Ins interface.
Understand the platform difference between WPS Add-Ins and COM Add-Ins on Mac.

This feature is useful for users who want to extend spreadsheet workflows, access plugin tools, or confirm where the add-in entry is located in WPS Office for Mac.

System Requirements

Item	Requirement
Operating system	A macOS device that can run WPS Office normally
App version	It is recommended to use the latest version of WPS Office for Mac
Network	No mandatory network connection is required to open the local entry point; an internet connection is recommended when getting online add-ins
Other	Make sure WPS Office is installed and that you can open a spreadsheet file or a blank sheet

Download & Installation

Item	Details
Official download	WPS Office Free Download
Check after installation	Launch WPS Office for Mac, open Spreadsheets, and confirm that the Developer Tools area is available

Source: WPS Download Center

Compare with Alternatives

Dimension	WPS	Microsoft	Google	Notion	Adobe
Capability Summary	WPS Add-Ins are used to manage and use WPS-specific plugin extensions, support official and third-party add-ins, and provide an entry point on Mac for spreadsheet-related extension access.	Microsoft Office Add-ins use a web-based extension model with manifests, task panes, and commands, and they can run across multiple Office platforms.	Google Workspace Add-ons integrate third-party apps into Google Workspace and surface them through the side panel and app-specific entry points.	Notion Connections let users connect external tools to a workspace and add them to pages or databases.	Adobe Acrobat plugins are dynamic extensions for Acrobat or Reader and can add functionality in the host environment, including on Mac.
WPS Advantages	Advantage: The entry path is more direct for users working inside WPS Spreadsheets. Distinct: The Mac workflow clearly separates WPS Add-Ins from unsupported COM Add-Ins.	Compared with WPS: Microsoft focuses more on a developer-oriented cross-platform extension framework, with broader deployment structure but a more technical setup model.	Compared with WPS: Google emphasizes cloud-side integrations and side-panel access across Workspace apps rather than a desktop spreadsheet add-in entry inside a local office suite.	Compared with WPS: Notion focuses on workspace connections and page-level access instead of a spreadsheet add-in entry workflow.	Compared with WPS: Adobe focuses on Acrobat and Reader plugin development for PDF workflows rather than spreadsheet add-in access.
Official Source	—	Office Add-ins platform overview	Google Workspace Add-ons	Add & manage connections	Developing Plugins

Overall Conclusion
If your main goal is to access extensions inside WPS Spreadsheets on Mac, WPS Add-Ins provide a more direct in-app path for that workflow. Microsoft, Google, Notion, and Adobe all offer official extension models, but they are designed for different product environments and use cases.

Use Cases

No.	Scenario	Suitable for	Main issue	How this feature helps
1	Open the extension entry	New users	They do not know where the add-in entry is on Mac	Open WPS Add-Ins from the Developer Tools area
2	Extend spreadsheet workflows	Advanced users	Built-in spreadsheet tools may not cover a specific task	Use official or third-party extensions in the add-in interface
3	Distinguish add-in types	Mac users	WPS Add-Ins and COM Add-Ins are easy to confuse	Clarify that Mac supports WPS Add-Ins, not COM Add-Ins
4	Troubleshoot entry-point questions	Trainers or support staff	Users report that they cannot find the plugin entry	Guide them through the Developer Tools path
5	Standardize team instructions	Team members	Different people describe the entry path differently	Use one consistent path: Developer Tools → WPS Add-Ins

Membership & Benefits

Free vs WPS Premium

Capability	Free	WPS Premium
Open the WPS Add-Ins entry	✅	✅
Use core office components	✅	✅
Advanced PDF tools, more templates, and more cloud storage	Available within the free plan scope	Includes more advanced capabilities and expanded benefits

Source: WPS Office pricing page

Recommendations

Usage scenario	Recommended plan	Why
You only need to open the add-in entry and use basic workflows	Free	This feature description does not indicate a membership requirement
You also need more advanced office capabilities	WPS Premium	Suitable for users who need more advanced tools, templates, or cloud storage

WPS membership page: Subscribe now