Automating Excel (JXA-first, AppleScript discovery)

Relationship to the macOS automation skill

• Standalone for Excel, but aligned with automating-mac-apps patterns.
• Use automating-mac-apps for permissions, shell, and UI scripting guidance.
• PyXA Installation: To use PyXA examples in this skill, see the installation instructions in automating-mac-apps skill (PyXA Installation section).

Core Framing

• Excel AppleScript dictionary is AppleScript-first; use Script Editor for discovery.
• JXA is the production language for logic and data processing.
• Collections are specifiers; read via methods, set via assignments.
• Handle errors from Excel operations using try/catch blocks and Application error checking.

Workflow (default)

1. Discover dictionary terms in Script Editor (Excel).
2. Prototype a minimal AppleScript command.
3. Port to JXA and add defensive checks.
4. Use bulk read/write (2D arrays) for performance.
5. Use VBA run() when dictionary coverage is missing.