How to Export a List of Objects to Excel in C#
Exporting collections of objects to Excel files is a fundamental requirement in business applications. Whether generating reports, exporting data to share insights, or creating Excel worksheets for backups, developers need a reliable way to transform List<T> objects into professional spreadsheets. IronXL provides a streamlined solution that eliminates the traditional complexities of creating Excel files in .NET, .NET Core, or the .NET Framework.
Why Is Exporting Lists to Excel Files Challenging?
Traditional approaches to export data to Excel often involve Microsoft Office Interop, which requires MS Excel installation on the server and creates deployment headaches. Manual cell-by-cell population using reflection is time-consuming and error-prone. IronXL's powerful data import features solve these problems with intelligent property mapping between data sources and Excel column headers, without requiring MS Office or complex reflection code.
The library handles type conversion automatically, supports nested objects, and maintains data integrity across different formats like CSV files and XLSX files. For developers working with C# Excel operations without Interop, IronXL is the ideal choice for modern .NET projects that need robust Excel generation and data import/export capabilities.
How to Export Simple List Data to Excel?
Getting started with IronXL requires minimal setup. First, install the library through the NuGet Package Manager Console:
Install-Package IronXL.Excel
In the following code example, we'll explore how you can export data using an Employee model:
using IronXL;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Data;
public class Employee
{
public int Id { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public string Department { get; set; }
public decimal Salary { get; set; }
public DateTime HireDate { get; set; }
}
class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
// Create sample data for Excel export
var employees = new List<Employee>
{
new Employee { Id = 1, Name = "Alice Johnson", Department = "Engineering",
Salary = 95000, HireDate = new DateTime(2020, 3, 15) },
new Employee { Id = 2, Name = "Bob Smith", Department = "Marketing",
Salary = 75000, HireDate = new DateTime(2021, 7, 1) },
new Employee { Id = 3, Name = "Carol Williams", Department = "Engineering",
Salary = 105000, HireDate = new DateTime(2019, 11, 20) }
};
// Convert the list of employees to a DataTable
DataTable dataTable = new DataTable();
dataTable.Columns.Add("Id", typeof(int));
dataTable.Columns.Add("Name", typeof(string));
dataTable.Columns.Add("Department", typeof(string));
dataTable.Columns.Add("Salary", typeof(decimal));
dataTable.Columns.Add("HireDate", typeof(DateTime));
foreach (var employee in employees)
{
dataTable.Rows.Add(employee.Id, employee.Name, employee.Department, employee.Salary, employee.HireDate);
}
// Export DataTable to Excel spreadsheet
var workbook = new WorkBook();
var worksheet = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("Employees");
// Populate the worksheet
for (int i = 0; i < dataTable.Columns.Count; i++)
{
worksheet.SetCellValue(0, i, dataTable.Columns[i].ColumnName); // Add column headers
}
for (int i = 0; i < dataTable.Rows.Count; i++)
{
for (int j = 0; j < dataTable.Columns.Count; j++)
{
worksheet.SetCellValue(i + 1, j, dataTable.Rows[i][j]); // Add data rows
}
}
// Save as XLSX file
workbook.SaveAs("EmployeeReport.xlsx");
}
}using IronXL;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Data;
public class Employee
{
public int Id { get; set; }
public string Name { get; set; }
public string Department { get; set; }
public decimal Salary { get; set; }
public DateTime HireDate { get; set; }
}
class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
// Create sample data for Excel export
var employees = new List<Employee>
{
new Employee { Id = 1, Name = "Alice Johnson", Department = "Engineering",
Salary = 95000, HireDate = new DateTime(2020, 3, 15) },
new Employee { Id = 2, Name = "Bob Smith", Department = "Marketing",
Salary = 75000, HireDate = new DateTime(2021, 7, 1) },
new Employee { Id = 3, Name = "Carol Williams", Department = "Engineering",
Salary = 105000, HireDate = new DateTime(2019, 11, 20) }
};
// Convert the list of employees to a DataTable
DataTable dataTable = new DataTable();
dataTable.Columns.Add("Id", typeof(int));
dataTable.Columns.Add("Name", typeof(string));
dataTable.Columns.Add("Department", typeof(string));
dataTable.Columns.Add("Salary", typeof(decimal));
dataTable.Columns.Add("HireDate", typeof(DateTime));
foreach (var employee in employees)
{
dataTable.Rows.Add(employee.Id, employee.Name, employee.Department, employee.Salary, employee.HireDate);
}
// Export DataTable to Excel spreadsheet
var workbook = new WorkBook();
var worksheet = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("Employees");
// Populate the worksheet
for (int i = 0; i < dataTable.Columns.Count; i++)
{
worksheet.SetCellValue(0, i, dataTable.Columns[i].ColumnName); // Add column headers
}
for (int i = 0; i < dataTable.Rows.Count; i++)
{
for (int j = 0; j < dataTable.Columns.Count; j++)
{
worksheet.SetCellValue(i + 1, j, dataTable.Rows[i][j]); // Add data rows
}
}
// Save as XLSX file
workbook.SaveAs("EmployeeReport.xlsx");
}
}IRON VB CONVERTER ERROR developers@ironsoftware.comThis sample code demonstrates how to export data to Excel from a List<Employee> using IronXL. It first converts the employee list into a DataTable, then manually writes column headers and rows into a worksheet. IronXL handles data types like int, string, and DateTime data types automatically, ensuring clean formatting in the generated spreadsheet. Finally, the Excel save function produces an XLSX file, which can be saved as EmployeeReport.xlsx, providing a simple and efficient way to turn structured C# data into a professional Excel report.
How to Export Complex Business Objects?
Real-world .NET applications often involve more complex data structures. Here’s how to export a product inventory with nested properties, using C# export list of objects to Excel:
using IronXL;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Data;
public class Product
{
public string SKU { get; set; }
public string ProductName { get; set; }
public string Category { get; set; }
public decimal Price { get; set; }
public int StockLevel { get; set; }
public bool IsActive { get; set; }
public DateTime LastRestocked { get; set; }
public decimal CalculatedValue => Price * StockLevel;
}
class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
// Generate product inventory list for Excel export
var products = new List<Product>
{
new Product
{
SKU = "TECH-001",
ProductName = "Wireless Mouse",
Category = "Electronics",
Price = 29.99m,
StockLevel = 150,
IsActive = true,
LastRestocked = DateTime.Now.AddDays(-5)
},
new Product
{
SKU = "TECH-002",
ProductName = "Mechanical Keyboard",
Category = "Electronics",
Price = 89.99m,
StockLevel = 75,
IsActive = true,
LastRestocked = DateTime.Now.AddDays(-12)
},
new Product
{
SKU = "OFF-001",
ProductName = "Desk Organizer",
Category = "Office Supplies",
Price = 15.99m,
StockLevel = 0,
IsActive = false,
LastRestocked = DateTime.Now.AddMonths(-1)
}
};
// Create Excel workbook and import collection data
var workbook = WorkBook.Create();
var worksheet = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("Inventory");
// Export generic list to Excel with headers
var dataTable = new DataTable();
dataTable.Columns.Add("SKU", typeof(string));
dataTable.Columns.Add("ProductName", typeof(string));
dataTable.Columns.Add("Category", typeof(string));
dataTable.Columns.Add("Price", typeof(decimal));
dataTable.Columns.Add("StockLevel", typeof(int));
dataTable.Columns.Add("IsActive", typeof(bool));
dataTable.Columns.Add("LastRestocked", typeof(DateTime));
dataTable.Columns.Add("CalculatedValue", typeof(decimal));
foreach (var product in products)
{
dataTable.Rows.Add(
product.SKU,
product.ProductName,
product.Category,
product.Price,
product.StockLevel,
product.IsActive,
product.LastRestocked,
product.CalculatedValue
);
}
// With the following code:
worksheet["A1"].Value = "SKU";
worksheet["B1"].Value = "ProductName";
worksheet["C1"].Value = "Category";
worksheet["D1"].Value = "Price";
worksheet["E1"].Value = "StockLevel";
worksheet["F1"].Value = "IsActive";
worksheet["G1"].Value = "LastRestocked";
worksheet["H1"].Value = "CalculatedValue";
int row = 2;
foreach (DataRow dataRow in dataTable.Rows)
{
worksheet[$"A{row}"].Value = dataRow["SKU"];
worksheet[$"B{row}"].Value = dataRow["ProductName"];
worksheet[$"C{row}"].Value = dataRow["Category"];
worksheet[$"D{row}"].Value = dataRow["Price"];
worksheet[$"E{row}"].Value = dataRow["StockLevel"];
worksheet[$"F{row}"].Value = dataRow["IsActive"];
worksheet[$"G{row}"].Value = dataRow["LastRestocked"];
worksheet[$"H{row}"].Value = dataRow["CalculatedValue"];
row++;
}
// Auto-fit columns for optimal display
for (int col = 0; col < 8; col++)
{
worksheet.AutoSizeColumn(col);
}
// Save as Excel XLSX format
workbook.SaveAs("ProductInventory.xlsx");
}
}using IronXL;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Data;
public class Product
{
public string SKU { get; set; }
public string ProductName { get; set; }
public string Category { get; set; }
public decimal Price { get; set; }
public int StockLevel { get; set; }
public bool IsActive { get; set; }
public DateTime LastRestocked { get; set; }
public decimal CalculatedValue => Price * StockLevel;
}
class Program
{
static void Main(string[] args)
{
// Generate product inventory list for Excel export
var products = new List<Product>
{
new Product
{
SKU = "TECH-001",
ProductName = "Wireless Mouse",
Category = "Electronics",
Price = 29.99m,
StockLevel = 150,
IsActive = true,
LastRestocked = DateTime.Now.AddDays(-5)
},
new Product
{
SKU = "TECH-002",
ProductName = "Mechanical Keyboard",
Category = "Electronics",
Price = 89.99m,
StockLevel = 75,
IsActive = true,
LastRestocked = DateTime.Now.AddDays(-12)
},
new Product
{
SKU = "OFF-001",
ProductName = "Desk Organizer",
Category = "Office Supplies",
Price = 15.99m,
StockLevel = 0,
IsActive = false,
LastRestocked = DateTime.Now.AddMonths(-1)
}
};
// Create Excel workbook and import collection data
var workbook = WorkBook.Create();
var worksheet = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("Inventory");
// Export generic list to Excel with headers
var dataTable = new DataTable();
dataTable.Columns.Add("SKU", typeof(string));
dataTable.Columns.Add("ProductName", typeof(string));
dataTable.Columns.Add("Category", typeof(string));
dataTable.Columns.Add("Price", typeof(decimal));
dataTable.Columns.Add("StockLevel", typeof(int));
dataTable.Columns.Add("IsActive", typeof(bool));
dataTable.Columns.Add("LastRestocked", typeof(DateTime));
dataTable.Columns.Add("CalculatedValue", typeof(decimal));
foreach (var product in products)
{
dataTable.Rows.Add(
product.SKU,
product.ProductName,
product.Category,
product.Price,
product.StockLevel,
product.IsActive,
product.LastRestocked,
product.CalculatedValue
);
}
// With the following code:
worksheet["A1"].Value = "SKU";
worksheet["B1"].Value = "ProductName";
worksheet["C1"].Value = "Category";
worksheet["D1"].Value = "Price";
worksheet["E1"].Value = "StockLevel";
worksheet["F1"].Value = "IsActive";
worksheet["G1"].Value = "LastRestocked";
worksheet["H1"].Value = "CalculatedValue";
int row = 2;
foreach (DataRow dataRow in dataTable.Rows)
{
worksheet[$"A{row}"].Value = dataRow["SKU"];
worksheet[$"B{row}"].Value = dataRow["ProductName"];
worksheet[$"C{row}"].Value = dataRow["Category"];
worksheet[$"D{row}"].Value = dataRow["Price"];
worksheet[$"E{row}"].Value = dataRow["StockLevel"];
worksheet[$"F{row}"].Value = dataRow["IsActive"];
worksheet[$"G{row}"].Value = dataRow["LastRestocked"];
worksheet[$"H{row}"].Value = dataRow["CalculatedValue"];
row++;
}
// Auto-fit columns for optimal display
for (int col = 0; col < 8; col++)
{
worksheet.AutoSizeColumn(col);
}
// Save as Excel XLSX format
workbook.SaveAs("ProductInventory.xlsx");
}
}IRON VB CONVERTER ERROR developers@ironsoftware.comThis code demonstrates how to generate a dynamic product inventory report in Excel using IronXL. It builds a list of Product objects containing details like SKU, price, stock level, and restock date, then calculates a derived CalculatedValue for each item. The data is converted into a DataTable, written to an Excel worksheet with headers, and formatted for readability using auto-sized columns. IronXL seamlessly handles data types such as decimals, booleans, and dates, ensuring professional spreadsheet output. The result, ProductInventory.xlsx, provides a clean, data-driven inventory export ideal for business reporting or analytics.
How to Add Professional Formatting?
Transform basic exports into polished reports with IronXL's comprehensive styling capabilities:
// After importing data, apply professional formatting
var headerRange = worksheet["A1:H1"];
headerRange.Style.Font.Bold = true;
headerRange.Style.BackgroundColor = "#4472C4";
headerRange.Style.Font.Color = "#FFFFFF";
// Format currency columns for Excel export
var priceColumn = worksheet["D2:D100"];
priceColumn.Style.NumberFormat = "$#,##0.00";
// Apply conditional formatting to highlight business metrics
for (int row = 2; row <= products.Count + 1; row++)
{
var stockCell = worksheet[$"E{row}"];
if (stockCell.IntValue < 10)
{
stockCell.Style.BackgroundColor = "#FF6B6B";
}
}
// Export formatted list to Excel file
workbook.SaveAs("FormattedInventory.xlsx");// After importing data, apply professional formatting
var headerRange = worksheet["A1:H1"];
headerRange.Style.Font.Bold = true;
headerRange.Style.BackgroundColor = "#4472C4";
headerRange.Style.Font.Color = "#FFFFFF";
// Format currency columns for Excel export
var priceColumn = worksheet["D2:D100"];
priceColumn.Style.NumberFormat = "$#,##0.00";
// Apply conditional formatting to highlight business metrics
for (int row = 2; row <= products.Count + 1; row++)
{
var stockCell = worksheet[$"E{row}"];
if (stockCell.IntValue < 10)
{
stockCell.Style.BackgroundColor = "#FF6B6B";
}
}
// Export formatted list to Excel file
workbook.SaveAs("FormattedInventory.xlsx");IRON VB CONVERTER ERROR developers@ironsoftware.comThese styling options transform raw data exports into executive-ready reports. Bold headers with background colors create visual hierarchy when exporting collections to Excel. Number formatting ensures currency values display professionally. Conditional formatting highlights critical business metrics, such as low stock levels, making the exported Excel spreadsheet immediately actionable for inventory management. Learn more about advanced cell formatting and border styles to enhance your exports further.
Start Exporting Lists to Excel Today
IronXL transforms the complex task of Excel generation into simple, maintainable code. Its intelligent ImportData method eliminates the need for Microsoft Office dependencies while providing professional results that meet enterprise requirements. The library's comprehensive feature set handles everything from basic list exports to complex data transformations with styling and formatting.
Ready to streamline your C# Excel exports? Download IronXL now that scale with your needs. Visit our comprehensive documentation for more tutorials and examples.
