A Comparison of IronXL and Aspose Cells

What is Aspose.Cells?

Aspose.Cells for .NET is an Excel Spreadsheet Programming API that accelerates spreadsheet management and processing tasks. The API supports building cross-platform applications capable of generating, modifying, converting, rendering, and printing spreadsheets. It does not rely on Microsoft Excel or any Microsoft Office Interop components to be installed; instead, it offers a robust set of APIs that deal with Excel formats, as well as CSV and SpreadsheetML formats.

By integrating the API, developers can perform tasks such as managing multiple worksheets, creating spreadsheet contents and styles from scratch, importing data onto the worksheets from different data sources, adding common and complex mathematical, financial, and text formulas, manipulating and editing charts, pictures, comments, and drawing objects, and much more.

How do you use Aspose.Cells?

Aspose.Cells for .NET is a spreadsheet programming library that allows software developers to manipulate and convert spreadsheet files within their applications. It comprises both APIs and GUI controls, significantly speeding up Microsoft Excel® programming and conversion tasks. Aspose.Cells for .NET supports popular spreadsheet formats such as Microsoft Excel XLS, XLSX, XLSB, XML OpenOffice ODS, among others, and enables exporting Excel files to formats like PDF, XPS, HTML, MHTML, Plain Text, as well as popular image formats including JPEG, PNG, BMP, and SVG.

What is Aspose.Cells for .NET?

Aspose.Cells for .NET enables your .NET, C#, ASP.NET, and VB.NET applications to create, format, render, print, and convert Microsoft Excel® and OpenDocument spreadsheets (XLS, XLSX, ODS, etc.) to various supported formats, without the need to install Microsoft Excel or any third-party software. Its powerful formula-calculation engine supports various standard and advanced MS Excel® formulas/functions.

IronXL and Aspose.Cells Compared When Working with Excel

Are you a developer seeking excellent Excel libraries to help you create applications utilizing Excel, Workbooks, and Worksheets filled with relevant data and formatted to your needs?

This article compares two highly regarded Excel libraries:

• IronXL
• Aspose.Cells

Let's delve deeper into it, shall we?

Aspose.Cells and Excel

Aspose.Cells for .NET is a comprehensive spreadsheet library enabling developers to manipulate and convert spreadsheet files within their applications. It supports popular spreadsheet file formats such as XLS, XLSX, XLSM, XLSB, XLTX, XLTM, CSV, SpreadsheetML, and ODS. Aspose.Cells also facilitates exporting Excel files to formats like PDF, XPS, HTML, MHTML, Plain Text, TIFF, JPEG, PNG, BMP, and SVG.

IronXL and Excel

IronXL from Iron Software features a simple API that allows developers to read, write, and manipulate Excel documents in .NET applications. One of the advantageous aspects of IronXL is that you can work with Excel without needing to install Microsoft Office Excel on your server or use Excel Interop. This significantly simplifies working with Excel files in .NET.

Common Library Features for the Aspose.Cells and IronXL Excel Libraries

The following table presents the common library features for IronXL and Aspose.Cells:

Table 1 - Aspose.Cells and IronXL Excel Feature Support

Comparing IronXL and Aspose.Cells Excel Functionalities

The following table compares features from Aspose.Cells and IronXL:

Table 2 - Aspose.Cells and IronXL Excel Feature Comparison

Comparing Licenses and Pricing for the IronXL and Aspose.Cells Excel Libraries

The following table lists the available licensing options for IronXL:

Table 3 - IronXL and Aspose.Cells Licensing Comparisons

You can install both libraries by downloading them manually, using NuGet, or through the NuGet Package Manager in Visual Studio. Below is an overview of the installation process.

Aspose.Cells Installation

Downloading Aspose.Cells

To download Aspose.Cells, navigate to the following URL and click the "Download" button.

Figure 1 - Download Aspose.Cells

Installing Aspose.Cells with NuGet

To install Aspose.Cells through NuGet (and in case you haven’t noticed, the "Download" button above links you to the NuGet site), open the Visual Studio developer command prompt and enter the following command:

Install-Package Aspose.Cells

Figure 2 - NuGet Aspose.Cells Installation

Visual Studio NuGet Package Manager and Aspose.Cells

Follow these steps to install Aspose.Cells via the NuGet Package Manager in Visual Studio:

• Right-click the project in the Solution Explorer.
• Select "Manage NuGet Packages."
• Browse for the Aspose.Cells Package.
• Click "Install."

Figure 3 - Visual Studio NuGet Package Manager and Aspose.Cells

IronXL Installation

Downloading IronXL

To download IronXL, navigate to the following URL and click the "Download" button.

Figure 4 - Download IronXL

Installing IronXL with NuGet

To install IronXL through NuGet, open the Visual Studio developer command prompt and enter the following:

Install-Package IronXL.Excel

Visual Studio NuGet Package Manager and IronXL

Use these steps to install IronXL via the NuGet Package Manager in Visual Studio:

• Right-click the project in the Solution Explorer.
• Select "Manage NuGet Packages."
• Browse for your Package.
• Click "Install."

Figure 5 - Visual Studio NuGet Package Manager and IronXL

Create and Save Excel Files with Aspose.Cells and IronXL

Creating an Excel File with Aspose.Cells

The following code demonstrates how to create a new Excel file and save it with Aspose.Cells. Add the necessary code:

Include the necessary namespaces:

using Aspose.Cells;
using System;
using System.Windows.Forms;

using Aspose.Cells;
using System;
using System.Windows.Forms;

Imports Aspose.Cells
Imports System
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Given that the NuGet package for Aspose.Cells has been added, its namespace can be used to work with Excel. Add the following code:

private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    var book = new Workbook();
    var sheet = book.Worksheets[0];
    var cells = sheet.Cells;
    cells["A1"].Value = "Hello World from Aspose.Cells";
    book.Save("Aspose.Cells_Output.xlsx", SaveFormat.Xlsx);
}

private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    var book = new Workbook();
    var sheet = book.Worksheets[0];
    var cells = sheet.Cells;
    cells["A1"].Value = "Hello World from Aspose.Cells";
    book.Save("Aspose.Cells_Output.xlsx", SaveFormat.Xlsx);
}

Private Sub button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
	Dim book = New Workbook()
	Dim sheet = book.Worksheets(0)
	Dim cells = sheet.Cells
	cells("A1").Value = "Hello World from Aspose.Cells"
	book.Save("Aspose.Cells_Output.xlsx", SaveFormat.Xlsx)
End Sub

The code creates a new Workbook object, adds a Worksheet in the Workbook, accesses the worksheet's Cells via its cells property, and writes a message in cell A1 of the first worksheet.

Notice that in the created file, an extra Excel Worksheet named “Evaluation Warning” contains the message shown below.

Figure 6 - Aspose.Cells Evaluation Copy Warning

As mentioned earlier, the Free Evaluation License includes only 100 Workbooks.

Creating an Excel File with IronXL

The following code demonstrates how to create a new Excel file and save it with IronXL. Add the respective code:

Include the necessary namespaces:

using System;
using IronXL;

using System;
using IronXL;

Imports System
Imports IronXL

Note the inclusion of IronXL. This is necessary for using IronXL. Add the following code:

private void button2_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Create(ExcelFileFormat.XLSX);
    var sheet = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("IronXL Worksheet");
    sheet["A1"].Value = "Hello World from IronXL";
    workbook.SaveAs("IronXL_Output.xlsx");
}

private void button2_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Create(ExcelFileFormat.XLSX);
    var sheet = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("IronXL Worksheet");
    sheet["A1"].Value = "Hello World from IronXL";
    workbook.SaveAs("IronXL_Output.xlsx");
}

Private Sub button2_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
	Dim workbook As WorkBook = WorkBook.Create(ExcelFileFormat.XLSX)
	Dim sheet = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("IronXL Worksheet")
	sheet("A1").Value = "Hello World from IronXL"
	workbook.SaveAs("IronXL_Output.xlsx")
End Sub

The above code creates a WorkBook object with the XLSX format, which can be changed. Then, a WorkSheet named “IronXL Worksheet” is created, with "Hello World from IronXL" written in cell A1. Finally, the WorkBook is saved as IronXL_Output.xlsx.

Both libraries are easy to use when creating workbooks and saving them, with not much difference in terms of the code.

Let's take it a step further.

Converting Excel Files with Aspose.Cells and IronXL

Converting Excel Files to PDF and HTML with Aspose.Cells

Aspose.Cells for .NET can convert spreadsheets to PDF, XPS, & HTML formats while maintaining the highest visual fidelity. The conversion process is simple yet reliable, making the API the perfect choice for organizations needing to exchange documents in industry-standard formats. The following code demonstrates how to convert Excel Files to PDF and HTML via Aspose.Cells:

Include the required namespaces:

using Aspose.Cells;
using System;
using System.Windows.Forms;

using Aspose.Cells;
using System;
using System.Windows.Forms;

Imports Aspose.Cells
Imports System
Imports System.Windows.Forms

Add the following code:

private void button3_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    var workbook = new Workbook("Aspose.Cells_Output.xlsx");
    workbook.Save("Aspose.Cells_Output.pdf", SaveFormat.Pdf);
    workbook.Save("Aspose.Cells_Output.html", SaveFormat.Html);
}

private void button3_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    var workbook = new Workbook("Aspose.Cells_Output.xlsx");
    workbook.Save("Aspose.Cells_Output.pdf", SaveFormat.Pdf);
    workbook.Save("Aspose.Cells_Output.html", SaveFormat.Html);
}

Private Sub button3_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
	Dim workbook As New Workbook("Aspose.Cells_Output.xlsx")
	workbook.Save("Aspose.Cells_Output.pdf", SaveFormat.Pdf)
	workbook.Save("Aspose.Cells_Output.html", SaveFormat.Html)
End Sub

An existing Excel workbook is loaded and exported to PDF and HTML formats. Note the "Evaluation Warnings" in both formats.

Exporting an Excel File to an XML or a JSON File with IronXL

The following code demonstrates how to export an Excel file to an XML or a JSON file with IronXL:

Include the required namespace:

using IronXL;

using IronXL;

Imports IronXL

Add the following code:

private void button4_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Load("IronXL_Output.xlsx");
    workbook.SaveAsJson("IronXL_Output.json");
    workbook.SaveAsXml("IronXL_Output.xml");
}

private void button4_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Load("IronXL_Output.xlsx");
    workbook.SaveAsJson("IronXL_Output.json");
    workbook.SaveAsXml("IronXL_Output.xml");
}

Private Sub button4_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
	Dim workbook As WorkBook = WorkBook.Load("IronXL_Output.xlsx")
	workbook.SaveAsJson("IronXL_Output.json")
	workbook.SaveAsXml("IronXL_Output.xml")
End Sub

An existing Excel WorkBook object is loaded and then exported to JSON and XML formats.

Downloads

This project is available on GitHub:

IronXL vs Aspose.Cells Example

Summary

IronXL is ideal for those who want to create and edit spreadsheets independently, without heavily relying on other programs like Excel or Google Docs, especially when you have extensive data that needs quick editing! IronXL seamlessly integrates across platforms, meaning installation occurs once—users don't need separate libraries or programs installed. Overall, IronXL is the preferred choice for anyone seeking a powerful and user-friendly Excel editing C# Library.

Aspose.Cells provides a comprehensive set of APIs for developers to effortlessly create and manipulate all types of spreadsheets, including charts! You can add comments or pictures in your spreadsheet cells while converting them into platform-suitable images.

IronXL offers an unlimited package for developers, locations, and projects for just $5,999. It's a one-time purchase without additional fees. IronXL also provides an OEM subscription at a very affordable $3,999. Conversely, Aspose.Cells doesn't offer unlimited options for developers and locations but does have pay-per-user models costing almost $24k annually ($23,988).

Overall, IronXL is a more convenient and user-friendly .NET API. It has practical functions that simplify Excel document editing with one straightforward line of code. IronXL offers impressive freedom and flexibility, enabling quick data edits without complications. Aspose.Cells is also an excellent library, aiding developers in working with charts and spreadsheet pictures. IronXL is a cost-effective option with a wider range of options compared to Aspose.Cells, as discussed above. IronXL output quality is superior to Aspose.Cells. Developers need to write simple and concise code to use IronXL. You can purchase the suite of 7 Iron Software products for the price of 2. Grab the deal before it runs out!