WPS Developer Tools on macOS: Introduction

WPS Developer Tools in WPS Spreadsheet for Mac provide a central place to access macros, recording, macro security, and WPS Add-ins; this feature includes 5 core tasks, with 5 available without membership and 0 membership-related items.

At a Glance

Metric	Value	Notes
Core tasks	5	Matches the number of rows in the How-to Index
Available without membership	5	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

Developer Tools is an advanced entry point in WPS Spreadsheet for Mac for managing macro-related actions and add-ins in one place. After you open the Developer Tools tab, you can quickly access Run Macro, Record New Macro, Macro Security, and WPS Add-ins.

On Mac, Developer Tools is mainly designed for users who need to automate repeated spreadsheet actions, check macro execution status, or manage add-in access from one tab. The current feature scope states that Mac supports WPS Macros only, which are JS macros.

System Requirements

Item	Requirement
Operating system	A macOS device that can run WPS Office for Mac normally
App version	It is recommended to use the latest version of WPS Office for Mac
Network	Local macro-related settings usually do not require a mandatory network connection; online services or some add-ins work better with an active connection
Other	Use an editable spreadsheet file and make sure your account and app permissions are available

Download & Installation

Item	Details
Official download	WPS Office Free Download
Installation method	Download WPS Office for Mac, complete the installation flow, and open the app
Post-installation check	Open WPS Spreadsheet, go to the Tools tab, and confirm that the Developer button is visible

Source: WPS Download Center

Compare with Alternatives

Dimension	WPS	Microsoft	Google	Notion	Adobe
Capability Summary	In WPS Spreadsheet for Mac, you can open the Developer Tools tab from Tools → Developer and access Run Macro, Record New Macro, Macro Security, and WPS Add-ins in one place. On Mac, only WPS Macros (JS macros) are supported.	Microsoft Office provides macro recording, macro running, and a developer entry point, and also supports creating and managing macros with Visual Basic for Applications.	Google Sheets lets users record macros to automate repetitive spreadsheet tasks, and each recorded macro creates an Apps Script. Macro support is mainly focused on Sheets.	Notion provides buttons and database automations that can trigger actions such as inserting content, editing pages, and sending notifications.	Adobe Acrobat provides JavaScript development for PDF documents, pages, form fields, and buttons to control document behavior and workflows.
WPS Advantages	Advantage: The entry points for macro and add-in tasks are grouped in one tab for spreadsheet work. Distinct: On Mac, the path from Tools to Developer is direct for users who want a spreadsheet-focused control area.	Compared with WPS: The macro model is more centered on VBA and the broader Office development environment, which can cover more advanced development scenarios but usually involves a steeper learning curve.	Compared with WPS: Macro recording is centered on Google Sheets, and not every action can be recorded. Broader automation often moves into Apps Script.	Compared with WPS: The product is more focused on workspace buttons and page automation than on a spreadsheet macro control tab.	Compared with WPS: The scripting model is focused on PDF behavior and form interaction rather than spreadsheet macro recording and execution.
Official Source	—	Create or run a macro	Automate tasks in Google Sheets	Buttons	Acrobat JavaScript Development

Overall Conclusion
If your main goal is to access spreadsheet automation entry points, run existing macros, or manage WPS Add-ins on Mac, WPS Developer Tools provide a more direct spreadsheet workflow. Other products also support automation, but their focus is different, such as VBA development, cloud scripting, workspace actions, or PDF scripting.

Use Cases

No.	Scenario	Suitable For	Core Need	Solution
1	Open the macro workspace quickly	Users who often handle repeated spreadsheet tasks	The macro entry point is hard to find	Use Tools → Developer to display the Developer Tools tab
2	Run an existing macro	Users who already have a macro script	A fixed task needs to be repeated	Use Run Macro in Developer Tools
3	Record a new macro	Users who want to reduce repeated clicks	Manual actions are repeated too often	Use Record New Macro in Developer Tools to capture the workflow
4	Review macro security	Users who need to control macro permissions	It is unclear whether a macro should run	Open Macro Security in Developer Tools to review settings
5	Manage add-ins	Users who want to extend spreadsheet capabilities	Add-in entry points are scattered	Open WPS Add-ins in Developer Tools for centralized access

Membership & Benefits

Free vs WPS Premium

Capability	Free Users	WPS Premium
Developer Tools tab access	✅ Available	✅ Available
Run Macro	✅ Available	✅ Available
Record New Macro	✅ Available	✅ Available
Macro Security settings	✅ Available	✅ Available
WPS Add-ins management	✅ Available	✅ Available
Other advanced office and PDF benefits	Available within the free plan scope	Includes more advanced features and extended benefits

Source: WPS Office pricing page

Recommendations

Usage Scenario	Recommended Plan	Why
You only need the Developer Tools entry points and macro-related actions	Free	The current feature description does not mark Developer Tools as membership-only
You also need more advanced office, PDF, or extended account benefits	WPS Premium	Suitable for users who want broader advanced capabilities under one account

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