Reading and writing XLS files

Question

Im searching for a .Net component to read and write xls files from an application in working on. I dont want use automation with Excel.

It should support reading and write Excel 97 and newer versions. And it would be great if its open source or free since its a very low budget project.

I have found this one: MyXLS that looks very promising.

Do you know of any alternatives?

Answer 1

First - which version of Excel must you support? For example, xslx (2007) is just a zip file with xml files inside - so you should be able to use #ZipLib and xml generation / copying.

Another option is to write CSV and let the user import it - obviously more appropriate for data than for calculations.

There is also the 2003 xml-spreadsheet format - with contents like:

<Table ss:ExpandedColumnCount="3" ss:ExpandedRowCount="1" x:FullColumns="1"
   x:FullRows="1" ss:DefaultRowHeight="15">
   <Row>
    <Cell><Data ss:Type="Number">1</Data></Cell>
    <Cell><Data ss:Type="Number">2</Data></Cell>
    <Cell ss:Formula="=RC[-2]+RC[-1]"><Data ss:Type="Number">3</Data></Cell>
   </Row>
  </Table>

Pretty easy to create by hand...

Answer 2

Where I work they have this one: http://www.syncfusion.com/products/xlsio/backoffice/default.aspx

Have used it a couple of times and it is pretty easy to use.

Answer 3

I've worked with aspose for a long time and can really recommend it.

http://www.aspose.com/categories/file-format-components/aspose.cells-for-.net-and-java/default.aspx

• Commercial product
• Great support
• Excel 97-2007
• 100% native .net

Answer 4

This must be one of the most asked questions on SO.

Answer 5

SpreadsheetGear for .NET reads and writes CSV / XLS / XLSX and does more.

You can see live ASP.NET samples with C# and VB source code here and download a free trial here.

Disclaimer: I own SpreadsheetGear LLC