Generate Excel Files in C# Without Office Interop

Why is Office-Free Excel Generation Important for DevOps?

Developing Excel generation features without Office tackles key deployment challenges. Server environments often lack Microsoft Office due to licensing costs and resource demands. Each Office installation requires substantial disk space and memory, making it unsuitable for cloud deployments or containerized applications. When deploying to AWS Lambda or running in Docker containers, a lightweight solution is crucial for infrastructure automation.

IronXL removes these limitations by functioning independently. Your Excel file generation runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, Docker containers, or Azure App Services without changes. This cross-platform compatibility means you write once and deploy anywhere, whether targeting .NET Framework, .NET Core, or .NET 8/9 applications. For teams using .NET MAUI or Blazor, IronXL integrates smoothly across all modern .NET platforms.

IronXL supports all major .NET platforms and operating systems for maximum deployment flexibility.

How Does IronXL Compare to Other Excel Libraries?

*Based on recent performance improvements **For processing large Excel files

What Performance Benefits Does IronXL Provide?

Performance improves significantly without COM Interop overhead. Traditional Office automation creates separate process instances for each operation, consuming memory and CPU resources. IronXL processes everything in-memory within your application's process space, resulting in faster execution and lower resource consumption when you generate Excel files programmatically. The library has undergone major performance improvements, with recent updates delivering up to 40x speed improvements and dramatically reduced memory usage from 19.5 GB to under 1 GB.

Deployment becomes straightforward since IronXL ships as a single NuGet package. No registry entries, COM registration, or Office service packs to maintain. Your continuous integration pipelines work smoothly, and Docker containers remain lightweight. This simplified approach has made IronXL a popular choice, as discussed in various developer forums where professionals share their experiences with Excel automation without Interop.

IronXL provides complete Excel manipulation features through an intuitive API design.

What's the Best Installation Method for DevOps Workflows?

Installing IronXL takes just moments through NuGet Package Manager. In Visual Studio, right-click your project and select "Manage NuGet Packages." Search for "IronXL.Excel" and click Install. The package automatically includes all dependencies required for generating Excel files in C#. For detailed installation guidance specific to your development environment, refer to the Get Started Overview.

Alternatively, use the Package Manager Console:

Install-Package IronXL.Excel

Install-Package IronXL.Excel

Package Manager Console confirms successful IronXL installation with all required dependencies.

How Do I Integrate IronXL with CI/CD Pipelines?

For .NET CLI users working with modern C# projects in automated build pipelines:

dotnet add package IronXL.Excel

dotnet add package IronXL.Excel

For containerized deployments, add to your Dockerfile:

RUN dotnet add package IronXL.Excel

Verify installation with this simple test to create Excel files programmatically:

using IronXL;
// new Excel workbook
var workbook = WorkBook.Create();
Console.WriteLine("IronXL installed successfully!");

using IronXL;
// new Excel workbook
var workbook = WorkBook.Create();
Console.WriteLine("IronXL installed successfully!");

This code creates an in-memory workbook object. If it runs without errors, IronXL is ready for use. The library supports all modern .NET versions, ensuring compatibility with your existing projects. For VB.NET developers, similar functionality is available with VB-specific syntax examples. When working with legacy file formats or encountering file size issues, the library provides complete solutions.

Output

Console output confirms IronXL is properly installed and ready for Excel generation tasks.

What Are the Essential Steps for Basic Excel Generation?

Creating Excel files with IronXL starts with the WorkBook class, your gateway to all Excel operations. The library supports both modern XLSX and legacy XLS formats, giving you flexibility for different requirements when you generate Excel files in C#. The create spreadsheet functionality provides complete options for initializing new workbooks.

using IronXL;
// Create a new workbook (XLSX format by default)
WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Create(ExcelFileFormat.XLSX);
// Add metadata
workbook.Metadata.Title = "Monthly Sales Report";
workbook.Metadata.Author = "Sales Department";
workbook.Metadata.Comments = "Generated using IronXL";
// Create a worksheet
WorkSheet worksheet = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("January Sales");
// Add some basic data
worksheet["A1"].Value = "Date";
worksheet["B1"].Value = "Product";
worksheet["C1"].Value = "Quantity";
worksheet["D1"].Value = "Revenue";
// Add data rows
worksheet["A2"].Value = new DateTime(2024, 1, 15);
worksheet["B2"].Value = "Widget Pro";
worksheet["C2"].Value = 100;
worksheet["D2"].Value = 2500.00;
// Save the workbook
workbook.SaveAs("FirstExcelFile.xlsx");

using IronXL;
// Create a new workbook (XLSX format by default)
WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Create(ExcelFileFormat.XLSX);
// Add metadata
workbook.Metadata.Title = "Monthly Sales Report";
workbook.Metadata.Author = "Sales Department";
workbook.Metadata.Comments = "Generated using IronXL";
// Create a worksheet
WorkSheet worksheet = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("January Sales");
// Add some basic data
worksheet["A1"].Value = "Date";
worksheet["B1"].Value = "Product";
worksheet["C1"].Value = "Quantity";
worksheet["D1"].Value = "Revenue";
// Add data rows
worksheet["A2"].Value = new DateTime(2024, 1, 15);
worksheet["B2"].Value = "Widget Pro";
worksheet["C2"].Value = 100;
worksheet["D2"].Value = 2500.00;
// Save the workbook
workbook.SaveAs("FirstExcelFile.xlsx");

How Should I Use Metadata in Generated Excel Files?

This code demonstrates several key concepts for Excel file generation. The WorkBook.Create() method initializes a new Excel file in memory. You specify the format using the ExcelFileFormat enum - choose XLSX for modern Excel compatibility or XLS for legacy support. The Metadata property allows you to embed document information that appears in Excel's file properties, adhering to Microsoft's document property standards and helping with file organization in enterprise environments. Learn more about editing workbook metadata.

The CreateWorkSheet() method adds a new sheet with the specified name. Excel's familiar cell notation (A1, B1, etc.) makes setting values intuitive. IronXL automatically handles data type conversion, recognizing dates, numbers, and text without explicit casting. The SaveAs() method writes the complete Excel file to disk. For more worksheet operations, explore the worksheet management tutorial.

Output

Basic Excel file generated by IronXL showing structured data with proper column headers.

What Are the Efficient Methods for Populating Excel Data?

IronXL provides multiple approaches for populating Excel cells, from individual cell assignment to bulk range operations. Understanding these methods helps you choose the most efficient approach for your data scenario. The write Excel values guide covers all available options thoroughly.

WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Create(ExcelFileFormat.XLSX);
// Create a worksheet
WorkSheet worksheet = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("Employees");
// Individual cell assignment
worksheet["A1"].Value = "Employee Name";
worksheet["A2"].Value = "John Smith";
worksheet["A3"].Value = "Jane Doe";
// Range assignment for multiple cells
worksheet["B1:B3"].Value = "Active";
// Using numeric indices (0-based)
worksheet.SetCellValue(0, 2, "Department"); // C1
worksheet.SetCellValue(1, 2, "Sales");       // C2
worksheet.SetCellValue(2, 2, "Marketing");   // C3
// Array-based population
string[] headers = { "ID", "Name", "Email", "Phone" };
for (int i = 0; i < headers.Length; i++)
{
    worksheet.SetCellValue(0, i, headers[i]);
}
// Working with different data types
worksheet["E1"].Value = "Salary";
worksheet["E2"].Value = 75000.50m;  // Decimal for currency
worksheet["E3"].Value = 82000.75m;
worksheet["F1"].Value = "Start Date";
worksheet["F2"].Value = new DateTime(2020, 3, 15);
worksheet["F3"].Value = new DateTime(2019, 7, 1);
worksheet["G1"].Value = "Full Time";
worksheet["G2"].Value = true;  // Boolean
worksheet["G3"].Value = true;
workbook.SaveAs("EmployeeData.xlsx");

WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Create(ExcelFileFormat.XLSX);
// Create a worksheet
WorkSheet worksheet = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("Employees");
// Individual cell assignment
worksheet["A1"].Value = "Employee Name";
worksheet["A2"].Value = "John Smith";
worksheet["A3"].Value = "Jane Doe";
// Range assignment for multiple cells
worksheet["B1:B3"].Value = "Active";
// Using numeric indices (0-based)
worksheet.SetCellValue(0, 2, "Department"); // C1
worksheet.SetCellValue(1, 2, "Sales");       // C2
worksheet.SetCellValue(2, 2, "Marketing");   // C3
// Array-based population
string[] headers = { "ID", "Name", "Email", "Phone" };
for (int i = 0; i < headers.Length; i++)
{
    worksheet.SetCellValue(0, i, headers[i]);
}
// Working with different data types
worksheet["E1"].Value = "Salary";
worksheet["E2"].Value = 75000.50m;  // Decimal for currency
worksheet["E3"].Value = 82000.75m;
worksheet["F1"].Value = "Start Date";
worksheet["F2"].Value = new DateTime(2020, 3, 15);
worksheet["F3"].Value = new DateTime(2019, 7, 1);
worksheet["G1"].Value = "Full Time";
worksheet["G2"].Value = true;  // Boolean
worksheet["G3"].Value = true;
workbook.SaveAs("EmployeeData.xlsx");

How Do I Handle Large Datasets Efficiently?

The code shows IronXL's flexible cell addressing. String notation ("A1") feels natural for Excel users, while numeric indices offer programmatic control for loops and dynamic generation. Range assignments ("B1:B3") efficiently set multiple cells to the same value, perfect for initializing columns or applying default values. When working with named ranges or named tables, IronXL provides additional organizational capabilities.

For larger datasets, consider this pattern:

// Populate from a data source
var employees = GetEmployeeData(); // Your data source
for (int row = 0; row < employees.Count; row++)
{
    worksheet[$"A{row + 2}"].Value = employees[row].Id;
    worksheet[$"B{row + 2}"].Value = employees[row].Name;
    worksheet[$"C{row + 2}"].Value = employees[row].Department;
    worksheet[$"D{row + 2}"].Value = employees[row].Salary;
}

// Populate from a data source
var employees = GetEmployeeData(); // Your data source
for (int row = 0; row < employees.Count; row++)
{
    worksheet[$"A{row + 2}"].Value = employees[row].Id;
    worksheet[$"B{row + 2}"].Value = employees[row].Name;
    worksheet[$"C{row + 2}"].Value = employees[row].Department;
    worksheet[$"D{row + 2}"].Value = employees[row].Salary;
}

This approach iterates through your data collection, mapping each property to its corresponding column. The string interpolation ($"A{row + 2}") dynamically generates cell addresses, starting from row 2 to preserve headers. When dealing with large datasets, you can add rows and columns dynamically or copy cell ranges for efficiency.

Output

Employee data spreadsheet demonstrating multiple data types and cell assignment methods in IronXL.

What's Required for Creating Enterprise-Quality Excel Files?

Professional Excel files require more than raw data. IronXL's styling API transforms plain spreadsheets into polished business documents through formatting, colors, and visual hierarchy when you generate Excel files in C#. The library provides complete cell formatting options for creating visually appealing spreadsheets.

using IronXL;
using IronXL.Formatting;

WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Create(ExcelFileFormat.XLSX);
// Create a worksheet
WorkSheet worksheet = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("Employees");

// Add sample data first
worksheet["A1"].Value = "ID";
worksheet["B1"].Value = "Name";
worksheet["C1"].Value = "Department";
worksheet["D1"].Value = "Phone";
worksheet["E1"].Value = "Salary";
worksheet["F1"].Value = "Start Date";
worksheet["G1"].Value = "Full Time";

// Add employee data
worksheet["A2"].Value = 101;
worksheet["B2"].Value = "John Smith";
worksheet["C2"].Value = "Sales";
worksheet["D2"].Value = "(555) 123-4567";
worksheet["E2"].Value = 75000.50m;
worksheet["F2"].Value = new DateTime(2020, 3, 15);
worksheet["G2"].Value = true;

worksheet["A3"].Value = 102;
worksheet["B3"].Value = "Jane Doe";
worksheet["C3"].Value = "Marketing";
worksheet["D3"].Value = "(555) 987-6543";
worksheet["E3"].Value = 82000.75m;
worksheet["F3"].Value = new DateTime(2019, 7, 1);
worksheet["G3"].Value = true;

// Header formatting
var headerRange = worksheet["A1:G1"];
headerRange.Style.Font.Bold = true;
headerRange.Style.Font.Height = 12;
headerRange.Style.SetBackgroundColor("#4472C4");
headerRange.Style.Font.Color = "#FFFFFF";
// Column width adjustment
worksheet.AutoSizeColumn(0); // Auto-fit column A
worksheet.SetColumnWidth(1, 20); // Set column B to 20 characters
// Number formatting
var salaryColumn = worksheet["E2:E3"];
salaryColumn.FormatString = "$#,##0.00";
// Date formatting  
var dateColumn = worksheet["F2:F3"];
dateColumn.FormatString = "MM/dd/yyyy";
// Cell borders
var dataRange = worksheet["A1:G3"];
dataRange.Style.TopBorder.Type = IronXL.Styles.BorderType.Thin;
dataRange.Style.BottomBorder.Type = IronXL.Styles.BorderType.Thin;
dataRange.Style.LeftBorder.Type = IronXL.Styles.BorderType.Thin;
dataRange.Style.RightBorder.Type = IronXL.Styles.BorderType.Thin;
// To set border color, use:
dataRange.Style.TopBorder.SetColor("#000000");
dataRange.Style.BottomBorder.SetColor("#000000");
dataRange.Style.LeftBorder.SetColor("#000000");
dataRange.Style.RightBorder.SetColor("#000000");
// Text alignment
worksheet["A1:G1"].Style.HorizontalAlignment = IronXL.Styles.HorizontalAlignment.Center;
// Alternating row colors for readability
for (int row = 2; row <= 3; row++)
{
    if (row % 2 == 0)
    {
        worksheet[$"A{row}:G{row}"].Style.SetBackgroundColor("#F2F2F2");
    }
}

workbook.SaveAs("FormattedEmployees.xlsx");

using IronXL;
using IronXL.Formatting;

WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Create(ExcelFileFormat.XLSX);
// Create a worksheet
WorkSheet worksheet = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("Employees");

// Add sample data first
worksheet["A1"].Value = "ID";
worksheet["B1"].Value = "Name";
worksheet["C1"].Value = "Department";
worksheet["D1"].Value = "Phone";
worksheet["E1"].Value = "Salary";
worksheet["F1"].Value = "Start Date";
worksheet["G1"].Value = "Full Time";

// Add employee data
worksheet["A2"].Value = 101;
worksheet["B2"].Value = "John Smith";
worksheet["C2"].Value = "Sales";
worksheet["D2"].Value = "(555) 123-4567";
worksheet["E2"].Value = 75000.50m;
worksheet["F2"].Value = new DateTime(2020, 3, 15);
worksheet["G2"].Value = true;

worksheet["A3"].Value = 102;
worksheet["B3"].Value = "Jane Doe";
worksheet["C3"].Value = "Marketing";
worksheet["D3"].Value = "(555) 987-6543";
worksheet["E3"].Value = 82000.75m;
worksheet["F3"].Value = new DateTime(2019, 7, 1);
worksheet["G3"].Value = true;

// Header formatting
var headerRange = worksheet["A1:G1"];
headerRange.Style.Font.Bold = true;
headerRange.Style.Font.Height = 12;
headerRange.Style.SetBackgroundColor("#4472C4");
headerRange.Style.Font.Color = "#FFFFFF";
// Column width adjustment
worksheet.AutoSizeColumn(0); // Auto-fit column A
worksheet.SetColumnWidth(1, 20); // Set column B to 20 characters
// Number formatting
var salaryColumn = worksheet["E2:E3"];
salaryColumn.FormatString = "$#,##0.00";
// Date formatting  
var dateColumn = worksheet["F2:F3"];
dateColumn.FormatString = "MM/dd/yyyy";
// Cell borders
var dataRange = worksheet["A1:G3"];
dataRange.Style.TopBorder.Type = IronXL.Styles.BorderType.Thin;
dataRange.Style.BottomBorder.Type = IronXL.Styles.BorderType.Thin;
dataRange.Style.LeftBorder.Type = IronXL.Styles.BorderType.Thin;
dataRange.Style.RightBorder.Type = IronXL.Styles.BorderType.Thin;
// To set border color, use:
dataRange.Style.TopBorder.SetColor("#000000");
dataRange.Style.BottomBorder.SetColor("#000000");
dataRange.Style.LeftBorder.SetColor("#000000");
dataRange.Style.RightBorder.SetColor("#000000");
// Text alignment
worksheet["A1:G1"].Style.HorizontalAlignment = IronXL.Styles.HorizontalAlignment.Center;
// Alternating row colors for readability
for (int row = 2; row <= 3; row++)
{
    if (row % 2 == 0)
    {
        worksheet[$"A{row}:G{row}"].Style.SetBackgroundColor("#F2F2F2");
    }
}

workbook.SaveAs("FormattedEmployees.xlsx");

How Do I Implement Advanced Styling Features?

This formatting code creates a professional appearance that meets enterprise standards. Bold headers with background patterns and colors establish visual hierarchy. The SetBackgroundColor() method accepts hex color codes, giving precise control over your color scheme. Font properties include size, color, bold, italic, and underline options, all essential for creating Excel files that match corporate branding guidelines. For advanced styling needs, explore conditional formatting capabilities.

Column width adjustments prevent text truncation. AutoSizeColumn() automatically fits content, while SetColumnWidth() provides exact control. The autosize rows and columns feature ensures optimal display of your data. Number formatting uses Excel's format codes - learn more about Excel number formats for comprehensive formatting options.

Borders and cell alignment define data boundaries, improving readability. The BorderType enum offers various styles: thin, medium, thick, dotted, and dashed. Border and alignment options center headers and right-align numbers, following spreadsheet conventions. Alternating row colors, often called "banded rows," help readers track information across wide data sets.

Output

Professionally formatted Excel file showcasing IronXL's styling capabilities for enterprise documents.

What Formula Features Enable Dynamic Calculations?

Excel formulas bring spreadsheets to life with automatic calculations. IronXL supports formula creation and evaluation, enabling dynamic spreadsheets that update automatically. The library includes support for over 165 Excel functions and allows you to edit formulas programmatically.

var workbook = WorkBook.Create();
// Create a budget worksheet
WorkSheet budget = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("Q1 Budget");
// Headers
budget["A1"].Value = "Category";
budget["B1"].Value = "January";
budget["C1"].Value = "February";
budget["D1"].Value = "March";
budget["E1"].Value = "Q1 Total";
// Budget categories and values
string[] categories = { "Salaries", "Marketing", "Operations", "Equipment", "Training" };
decimal[,] monthlyBudgets = {
    { 50000, 52000, 51000 },
    { 15000, 18000, 20000 },
    { 8000, 8500, 9000 },
    { 12000, 5000, 7000 },
    { 3000, 3500, 4000 }
};
// Populate data
for (int i = 0; i < categories.Length; i++)
{
    budget[$"A{i + 2}"].Value = categories[i];
    budget[$"B{i + 2}"].Value = monthlyBudgets[i, 0];
    budget[$"C{i + 2}"].Value = monthlyBudgets[i, 1];
    budget[$"D{i + 2}"].Value = monthlyBudgets[i, 2];
    // Row total formula
    budget[$"E{i + 2}"].Formula = $"=SUM(B{i + 2}:D{i + 2})";
}
// Monthly totals row
budget["A7"].Value = "Monthly Total";
budget["B7"].Formula = "=SUM(B2:B6)";
budget["C7"].Formula = "=SUM(C2:C6)";
budget["D7"].Formula = "=SUM(D2:D6)";
budget["E7"].Formula = "=SUM(E2:E6)";
// Calculate percentages
budget["A9"].Value = "Marketing %";
budget["B9"].Formula = "=B3/B7*100";
budget["C9"].Formula = "=C3/C7*100";
budget["D9"].Formula = "=D3/D7*100";
// Average calculation
budget["A10"].Value = "Average Spending";
budget["B10"].Formula = "=AVERAGE(B2:B6)";
// Evaluate all formulas
workbook.EvaluateAll();
workbook.SaveAs("Budget.xlsx");

var workbook = WorkBook.Create();
// Create a budget worksheet
WorkSheet budget = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("Q1 Budget");
// Headers
budget["A1"].Value = "Category";
budget["B1"].Value = "January";
budget["C1"].Value = "February";
budget["D1"].Value = "March";
budget["E1"].Value = "Q1 Total";
// Budget categories and values
string[] categories = { "Salaries", "Marketing", "Operations", "Equipment", "Training" };
decimal[,] monthlyBudgets = {
    { 50000, 52000, 51000 },
    { 15000, 18000, 20000 },
    { 8000, 8500, 9000 },
    { 12000, 5000, 7000 },
    { 3000, 3500, 4000 }
};
// Populate data
for (int i = 0; i < categories.Length; i++)
{
    budget[$"A{i + 2}"].Value = categories[i];
    budget[$"B{i + 2}"].Value = monthlyBudgets[i, 0];
    budget[$"C{i + 2}"].Value = monthlyBudgets[i, 1];
    budget[$"D{i + 2}"].Value = monthlyBudgets[i, 2];
    // Row total formula
    budget[$"E{i + 2}"].Formula = $"=SUM(B{i + 2}:D{i + 2})";
}
// Monthly totals row
budget["A7"].Value = "Monthly Total";
budget["B7"].Formula = "=SUM(B2:B6)";
budget["C7"].Formula = "=SUM(C2:C6)";
budget["D7"].Formula = "=SUM(D2:D6)";
budget["E7"].Formula = "=SUM(E2:E6)";
// Calculate percentages
budget["A9"].Value = "Marketing %";
budget["B9"].Formula = "=B3/B7*100";
budget["C9"].Formula = "=C3/C7*100";
budget["D9"].Formula = "=D3/D7*100";
// Average calculation
budget["A10"].Value = "Average Spending";
budget["B10"].Formula = "=AVERAGE(B2:B6)";
// Evaluate all formulas
workbook.EvaluateAll();
workbook.SaveAs("Budget.xlsx");

How Do I Troubleshoot Common Formula Issues?

This budget example illustrates practical formula application. The Formula property accepts standard Excel formula syntax, starting with an equals sign. IronXL supports common functions: SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT, MAX, MIN, and many others. Cell references in formulas work exactly as in Excel, including relative and absolute references. For more advanced calculations, explore aggregate Excel functions and Excel formulas in C#.

When formulas don't calculate as expected:

• Ensure proper syntax: Formulas must start with =
• Check cell references: Verify ranges are correct
• Call EvaluateAll(): Required before saving to see results
• Validate data types: Ensure numeric cells contain numbers, not text

The EvaluateAll() method processes all formulas, updating calculated values throughout the workbook. This ensures formulas display results when opened in Excel. Without evaluation, Excel would show the formulas until the user triggers recalculation. For complex scenarios involving Excel formulas in C#, IronXL provides comprehensive support.

Output

Budget worksheet with active formulas calculating totals and percentages automatically.

What Are the Best Practices for Database-to-Excel Export?

Real-world applications often export database data to Excel for reporting and analysis. IronXL streamlines this process with built-in DataTable support, eliminating manual field mapping when generating Excel files from C# applications. The library provides multiple methods for database integration and DataGrid compatibility.

using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
// Simulate database retrieval (replace with your actual database code)
DataTable GetSalesData()
{
    DataTable dt = new DataTable("Sales");
    dt.Columns.Add("OrderID", typeof(int));
    dt.Columns.Add("CustomerName", typeof(string));
    dt.Columns.Add("Product", typeof(string));
    dt.Columns.Add("Quantity", typeof(int));
    dt.Columns.Add("UnitPrice", typeof(decimal));
    dt.Columns.Add("OrderDate", typeof(DateTime));
    // Sample data (normally from database)
    dt.Rows.Add(1001, "ABC Corp", "Widget Pro", 50, 25.99m, DateTime.Now.AddDays(-5));
    dt.Rows.Add(1002, "XYZ Ltd", "Widget Basic", 100, 15.99m, DateTime.Now.AddDays(-4));
    dt.Rows.Add(1003, "ABC Corp", "Widget Premium", 25, 45.99m, DateTime.Now.AddDays(-3));
    dt.Rows.Add(1004, "Tech Solutions", "Widget Pro", 75, 25.99m, DateTime.Now.AddDays(-2));
    dt.Rows.Add(1005, "XYZ Ltd", "Widget Premium", 30, 45.99m, DateTime.Now.AddDays(-1));
    return dt;
}
// Export to Excel
WorkBook reportWorkbook = WorkBook.Create();
WorkSheet reportSheet = reportWorkbook.CreateWorkSheet("Sales Report");
// Get data from database
DataTable salesData = GetSalesData();
// Method 1: Manual mapping with formatting
reportSheet["A1"].Value = "Order Report - " + DateTime.Now.ToString("MMMM yyyy");
reportSheet.Merge("A1:F1");
reportSheet["A1"].Style.Font.Bold = true;
reportSheet["A1"].Style.Font.Height = 14;
// Headers
int headerRow = 3;
for (int col = 0; col < salesData.Columns.Count; col++)
{
    reportSheet.SetCellValue(headerRow - 1, col, salesData.Columns[col].ColumnName);
}
// Format headers
var headers = reportSheet[$"A{headerRow}:F{headerRow}"];
headers.Style.Font.Bold = true;
headers.Style.SetBackgroundColor("#D9E1F2");
// Data rows
for (int row = 0; row < salesData.Rows.Count; row++)
{
    for (int col = 0; col < salesData.Columns.Count; col++)
    {
        reportSheet.SetCellValue(row + headerRow, col, salesData.Rows[row][col]);
    }
    // Add total column with formula
    reportSheet[$"G{row + headerRow + 1}"].Formula = $"=D{row + headerRow + 1}*E{row + headerRow + 1}";
}
// Add total header and format
reportSheet["G3"].Value = "Total";
reportSheet["G3"].Style.Font.Bold = true;
reportSheet["G3"].Style.SetBackgroundColor("#D9E1F2");
// Format currency columns
reportSheet[$"E{headerRow + 1}:E{headerRow + salesData.Rows.Count}"].FormatString = "$#,##0.00";
reportSheet[$"G{headerRow + 1}:G{headerRow + salesData.Rows.Count}"].FormatString = "$#,##0.00";
// Format date column
reportSheet[$"F{headerRow + 1}:F{headerRow + salesData.Rows.Count}"].FormatString = "MM/dd/yyyy";
// Add summary section
int summaryRow = headerRow + salesData.Rows.Count + 2;
reportSheet[$"A{summaryRow}"].Value = "Summary";
reportSheet[$"A{summaryRow}"].Style.Font.Bold = true;
reportSheet[$"A{summaryRow + 1}"].Value = "Total Orders:";
reportSheet[$"B{summaryRow + 1}"].Formula = $"=COUNTA(A{headerRow + 1}:A{headerRow + salesData.Rows.Count})";
reportSheet[$"A{summaryRow + 2}"].Value = "Total Revenue:";
reportSheet[$"B{summaryRow + 2}"].Formula = $"=SUM(G{headerRow + 1}:G{headerRow + salesData.Rows.Count})";
reportSheet[$"B{summaryRow + 2}"].FormatString = "$#,##0.00";
// Auto-fit columns
for (int col = 0; col <= 6; col++)
{
    reportSheet.AutoSizeColumn(col);
}
// Evaluate formulas and save
reportWorkbook.EvaluateAll();
reportWorkbook.SaveAs("DatabaseExport.xlsx");

using System.Data;
using System.Data.SqlClient;
// Simulate database retrieval (replace with your actual database code)
DataTable GetSalesData()
{
    DataTable dt = new DataTable("Sales");
    dt.Columns.Add("OrderID", typeof(int));
    dt.Columns.Add("CustomerName", typeof(string));
    dt.Columns.Add("Product", typeof(string));
    dt.Columns.Add("Quantity", typeof(int));
    dt.Columns.Add("UnitPrice", typeof(decimal));
    dt.Columns.Add("OrderDate", typeof(DateTime));
    // Sample data (normally from database)
    dt.Rows.Add(1001, "ABC Corp", "Widget Pro", 50, 25.99m, DateTime.Now.AddDays(-5));
    dt.Rows.Add(1002, "XYZ Ltd", "Widget Basic", 100, 15.99m, DateTime.Now.AddDays(-4));
    dt.Rows.Add(1003, "ABC Corp", "Widget Premium", 25, 45.99m, DateTime.Now.AddDays(-3));
    dt.Rows.Add(1004, "Tech Solutions", "Widget Pro", 75, 25.99m, DateTime.Now.AddDays(-2));
    dt.Rows.Add(1005, "XYZ Ltd", "Widget Premium", 30, 45.99m, DateTime.Now.AddDays(-1));
    return dt;
}
// Export to Excel
WorkBook reportWorkbook = WorkBook.Create();
WorkSheet reportSheet = reportWorkbook.CreateWorkSheet("Sales Report");
// Get data from database
DataTable salesData = GetSalesData();
// Method 1: Manual mapping with formatting
reportSheet["A1"].Value = "Order Report - " + DateTime.Now.ToString("MMMM yyyy");
reportSheet.Merge("A1:F1");
reportSheet["A1"].Style.Font.Bold = true;
reportSheet["A1"].Style.Font.Height = 14;
// Headers
int headerRow = 3;
for (int col = 0; col < salesData.Columns.Count; col++)
{
    reportSheet.SetCellValue(headerRow - 1, col, salesData.Columns[col].ColumnName);
}
// Format headers
var headers = reportSheet[$"A{headerRow}:F{headerRow}"];
headers.Style.Font.Bold = true;
headers.Style.SetBackgroundColor("#D9E1F2");
// Data rows
for (int row = 0; row < salesData.Rows.Count; row++)
{
    for (int col = 0; col < salesData.Columns.Count; col++)
    {
        reportSheet.SetCellValue(row + headerRow, col, salesData.Rows[row][col]);
    }
    // Add total column with formula
    reportSheet[$"G{row + headerRow + 1}"].Formula = $"=D{row + headerRow + 1}*E{row + headerRow + 1}";
}
// Add total header and format
reportSheet["G3"].Value = "Total";
reportSheet["G3"].Style.Font.Bold = true;
reportSheet["G3"].Style.SetBackgroundColor("#D9E1F2");
// Format currency columns
reportSheet[$"E{headerRow + 1}:E{headerRow + salesData.Rows.Count}"].FormatString = "$#,##0.00";
reportSheet[$"G{headerRow + 1}:G{headerRow + salesData.Rows.Count}"].FormatString = "$#,##0.00";
// Format date column
reportSheet[$"F{headerRow + 1}:F{headerRow + salesData.Rows.Count}"].FormatString = "MM/dd/yyyy";
// Add summary section
int summaryRow = headerRow + salesData.Rows.Count + 2;
reportSheet[$"A{summaryRow}"].Value = "Summary";
reportSheet[$"A{summaryRow}"].Style.Font.Bold = true;
reportSheet[$"A{summaryRow + 1}"].Value = "Total Orders:";
reportSheet[$"B{summaryRow + 1}"].Formula = $"=COUNTA(A{headerRow + 1}:A{headerRow + salesData.Rows.Count})";
reportSheet[$"A{summaryRow + 2}"].Value = "Total Revenue:";
reportSheet[$"B{summaryRow + 2}"].Formula = $"=SUM(G{headerRow + 1}:G{headerRow + salesData.Rows.Count})";
reportSheet[$"B{summaryRow + 2}"].FormatString = "$#,##0.00";
// Auto-fit columns
for (int col = 0; col <= 6; col++)
{
    reportSheet.AutoSizeColumn(col);
}
// Evaluate formulas and save
reportWorkbook.EvaluateAll();
reportWorkbook.SaveAs("DatabaseExport.xlsx");

How Can I Optimize Large Database Exports?

This comprehensive example demonstrates a complete database-to-Excel workflow for generating Excel files in C#. The DataTable simulates database retrieval - in production, replace this with your actual database queries using Entity Framework, Dapper, or ADO.NET. For direct SQL integration, explore loading Excel from SQL databases or updating database records from Excel.

For large database exports, consider:

• Batch processing: Export in chunks to manage memory
• Async operations: Keep UI responsive during export
• Progress reporting: Show export progress to users
• Error handling: Gracefully handle database timeouts

The code creates a professional report with a title, formatted headers, and data rows. Formula columns calculate line totals dynamically. The summary section utilizes Excel formulas to count orders and sum revenue, ensuring these values update if the data changes. For working with DataSets instead of DataTables, see the export dataset datatable guide.

Output

Professional sales report generated from database data with automatic calculations and formatting.

Need to streamline your Excel reporting? Get a license to unlock IronXL's full potential for production deployments.

When Should I Use Multi-Sheet Workbooks?

Complex Excel files often require multiple worksheets to organize related data. IronXL simplifies multi-sheet management with intuitive methods for creating, accessing, and organizing worksheets. Learn more about managing worksheets and copying worksheet data for advanced scenarios.

// Create a multi-sheet workbook
WorkBook companyReport = WorkBook.Create();
// Create department sheets
WorkSheet salesSheet = companyReport.CreateWorkSheet("Sales");
WorkSheet inventorySheet = companyReport.CreateWorkSheet("Inventory");
WorkSheet hrSheet = companyReport.CreateWorkSheet("HR Metrics");
// Populate Sales sheet
salesSheet["A1"].Value = "Sales Dashboard";
salesSheet["A3"].Value = "Region";
salesSheet["B3"].Value = "Q1 Sales";
salesSheet["C3"].Value = "Q2 Sales";
string[] regions = { "North", "South", "East", "West" };
decimal[] q1Sales = { 250000, 180000, 220000, 195000 };
decimal[] q2Sales = { 275000, 195000, 240000, 210000 };
for (int i = 0; i < regions.Length; i++)
{
    salesSheet[$"A{i + 4}"].Value = regions[i];
    salesSheet[$"B{i + 4}"].Value = q1Sales[i];
    salesSheet[$"C{i + 4}"].Value = q2Sales[i];
}
// Populate Inventory sheet
inventorySheet["A1"].Value = "Inventory Status";
inventorySheet["A3"].Value = "Product";
inventorySheet["B3"].Value = "Stock Level";
inventorySheet["C3"].Value = "Reorder Point";
inventorySheet["D3"].Value = "Status";
// Add inventory data with conditional status
string[] products = { "Widget A", "Widget B", "Widget C" };
int[] stock = { 150, 45, 200 };
int[] reorderPoint = { 100, 50, 75 };
for (int i = 0; i < products.Length; i++)
{
    inventorySheet[$"A{i + 4}"].Value = products[i];
    inventorySheet[$"B{i + 4}"].Value = stock[i];
    inventorySheet[$"C{i + 4}"].Value = reorderPoint[i];
    // Status based on stock level
    string status = stock[i] <= reorderPoint[i] ? "REORDER" : "OK";
    inventorySheet[$"D{i + 4}"].Value = status;
    // Color code status
    if (status == "REORDER")
    {
        inventorySheet[$"D{i + 4}"].Style.Font.Color = "#FF0000";
    }
}
// Create summary sheet referencing other sheets
WorkSheet summarySheet = companyReport.CreateWorkSheet("Summary");
summarySheet["A1"].Value = "Company Overview";
summarySheet["A3"].Value = "Metric";
summarySheet["B3"].Value = "Value";
summarySheet["A4"].Value = "Total Q1 Sales";
summarySheet["B4"].Formula = "=SUM(Sales!B4:B7)";
summarySheet["A5"].Value = "Total Q2 Sales";
summarySheet["B5"].Formula = "=SUM(Sales!C4:C7)";
summarySheet["A6"].Value = "Products Need Reorder";
summarySheet["B6"].Formula = "=COUNTIF(Inventory!D4:D6,\"REORDER\")";
// Format all sheets consistently
foreach (WorkSheet sheet in companyReport.WorkSheets)
{
    // Format headers
    sheet["A1"].Style.Font.Bold = true;
    sheet["A1"].Style.Font.Height = 14;
    var headerRow = sheet["A3:D3"];
    headerRow.Style.Font.Bold = true;
    headerRow.Style.SetBackgroundColor("#E7E6E6");
}
// Save multi-sheet workbook
companyReport.SaveAs("CompanyReport.xlsx");

// Create a multi-sheet workbook
WorkBook companyReport = WorkBook.Create();
// Create department sheets
WorkSheet salesSheet = companyReport.CreateWorkSheet("Sales");
WorkSheet inventorySheet = companyReport.CreateWorkSheet("Inventory");
WorkSheet hrSheet = companyReport.CreateWorkSheet("HR Metrics");
// Populate Sales sheet
salesSheet["A1"].Value = "Sales Dashboard";
salesSheet["A3"].Value = "Region";
salesSheet["B3"].Value = "Q1 Sales";
salesSheet["C3"].Value = "Q2 Sales";
string[] regions = { "North", "South", "East", "West" };
decimal[] q1Sales = { 250000, 180000, 220000, 195000 };
decimal[] q2Sales = { 275000, 195000, 240000, 210000 };
for (int i = 0; i < regions.Length; i++)
{
    salesSheet[$"A{i + 4}"].Value = regions[i];
    salesSheet[$"B{i + 4}"].Value = q1Sales[i];
    salesSheet[$"C{i + 4}"].Value = q2Sales[i];
}
// Populate Inventory sheet
inventorySheet["A1"].Value = "Inventory Status";
inventorySheet["A3"].Value = "Product";
inventorySheet["B3"].Value = "Stock Level";
inventorySheet["C3"].Value = "Reorder Point";
inventorySheet["D3"].Value = "Status";
// Add inventory data with conditional status
string[] products = { "Widget A", "Widget B", "Widget C" };
int[] stock = { 150, 45, 200 };
int[] reorderPoint = { 100, 50, 75 };
for (int i = 0; i < products.Length; i++)
{
    inventorySheet[$"A{i + 4}"].Value = products[i];
    inventorySheet[$"B{i + 4}"].Value = stock[i];
    inventorySheet[$"C{i + 4}"].Value = reorderPoint[i];
    // Status based on stock level
    string status = stock[i] <= reorderPoint[i] ? "REORDER" : "OK";
    inventorySheet[$"D{i + 4}"].Value = status;
    // Color code status
    if (status == "REORDER")
    {
        inventorySheet[$"D{i + 4}"].Style.Font.Color = "#FF0000";
    }
}
// Create summary sheet referencing other sheets
WorkSheet summarySheet = companyReport.CreateWorkSheet("Summary");
summarySheet["A1"].Value = "Company Overview";
summarySheet["A3"].Value = "Metric";
summarySheet["B3"].Value = "Value";
summarySheet["A4"].Value = "Total Q1 Sales";
summarySheet["B4"].Formula = "=SUM(Sales!B4:B7)";
summarySheet["A5"].Value = "Total Q2 Sales";
summarySheet["B5"].Formula = "=SUM(Sales!C4:C7)";
summarySheet["A6"].Value = "Products Need Reorder";
summarySheet["B6"].Formula = "=COUNTIF(Inventory!D4:D6,\"REORDER\")";
// Format all sheets consistently
foreach (WorkSheet sheet in companyReport.WorkSheets)
{
    // Format headers
    sheet["A1"].Style.Font.Bold = true;
    sheet["A1"].Style.Font.Height = 14;
    var headerRow = sheet["A3:D3"];
    headerRow.Style.Font.Bold = true;
    headerRow.Style.SetBackgroundColor("#E7E6E6");
}
// Save multi-sheet workbook
companyReport.SaveAs("CompanyReport.xlsx");

How Do I Reference Data Across Multiple Sheets?

This example creates a complete multi-sheet report. Each worksheet serves a specific purpose: sales data, inventory tracking, and HR metrics. The summary sheet consolidates key metrics using cross-sheet formulas. Notice the sheet reference syntax in formulas - "Sales!B4:B7" refers to cells B4 through B7 on the Sales sheet. For more complex operations, explore combining Excel ranges and grouping rows and columns.

The inventory sheet demonstrates conditional logic, coloring low-stock items red for immediate attention. The foreach loop applies consistent formatting across all sheets, maintaining a professional appearance throughout the workbook. Sheet names appear as tabs in Excel, allowing users to navigate between different data views easily. For advanced scenarios, consider adding freeze panes to keep headers visible while scrolling through large datasets.

How Do I Ensure Scalable Excel Generation in Production?

Efficient Excel file generation in C# requires thoughtful approaches to memory usage, error handling, and deployment. These practices ensure your applications scale effectively while maintaining reliability when creating Excel spreadsheets programmatically. Review the security best practices and file protection options for enterprise deployments.

Memory management becomes critical with large files. Instead of loading entire datasets into memory, process data in chunks:

// Process large datasets efficiently
public void ExportLargeDataset(string filename)
{
    WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Create();
    WorkSheet sheet = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("Data");
    int rowsPerBatch = 1000;
    int currentRow = 1;
    // Process in batches
    foreach (var batch in GetDataInBatches(rowsPerBatch))
    {
        foreach (var record in batch)
        {
            sheet[$"A{currentRow}"].Value = record.Id;
            sheet[$"B{currentRow}"].Value = record.Name;
            sheet[$"C{currentRow}"].Value = record.Value;
            currentRow++;
        }
    }
    workbook.SaveAs(filename);
}

// Process large datasets efficiently
public void ExportLargeDataset(string filename)
{
    WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Create();
    WorkSheet sheet = workbook.CreateWorkSheet("Data");
    int rowsPerBatch = 1000;
    int currentRow = 1;
    // Process in batches
    foreach (var batch in GetDataInBatches(rowsPerBatch))
    {
        foreach (var record in batch)
        {
            sheet[$"A{currentRow}"].Value = record.Id;
            sheet[$"B{currentRow}"].Value = record.Name;
            sheet[$"C{currentRow}"].Value = record.Value;
            currentRow++;
        }
    }
    workbook.SaveAs(filename);
}

What Are Common Issues for DevOps Teams?

Error handling prevents application crashes and provides meaningful feedback when generating Excel files:

try
{
    WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Create();
    // Excel generation code
    workbook.SaveAs("output.xlsx");
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    // Log the error
    Console.WriteLine($"Excel generation failed: {ex.Message}");
    // Implement appropriate recovery or notification
}

try
{
    WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Create();
    // Excel generation code
    workbook.SaveAs("output.xlsx");
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
    // Log the error
    Console.WriteLine($"Excel generation failed: {ex.Message}");
    // Implement appropriate recovery or notification
}

For web applications, generate Excel files in memory and stream to users. This approach works perfectly with ASP.NET MVC applications:

// ASP.NET Core example
public IActionResult DownloadExcel()
{
    WorkBook workbook = GenerateReport();
    var stream = new MemoryStream();
    workbook.SaveAs(stream);
    stream.Position = 0;
    return File(stream, "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet", "report.xlsx");
}

// ASP.NET Core example
public IActionResult DownloadExcel()
{
    WorkBook workbook = GenerateReport();
    var stream = new MemoryStream();
    workbook.SaveAs(stream);
    stream.Position = 0;
    return File(stream, "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet", "report.xlsx");
}

How Do I Configure IronXL for Container Deployments?

Deployment considerations ensure smooth production operations. IronXL works in restricted environments without elevated permissions, making it suitable for shared hosting and containerized deployments. Include the IronXL license file in your deployment package, and ensure your application has write permissions for temporary file operations if needed. For proper license configuration, see using license keys and web.config setup.

For Docker deployments:

FROM mcr.microsoft.com/dotnet/runtime:8.0
WORKDIR /app
COPY . .
# Install dependencies for Excel operations
RUN apt-get update && apt-get install -y libgdiplus
ENV IRONXL_LICENSE_KEY=${IRONXL_LICENSE_KEY}
ENTRYPOINT ["dotnet", "YourApp.dll"]

When working with sensitive data, consider password-protecting workbooks and securing worksheets. IronXL provides comprehensive security features to protect your Excel files from unauthorized access. For optimal performance with large files, implement data trimming and cell clearing strategies to manage file size effectively.

For Linux deployments, ensure proper configuration following the Linux setup guide. When deploying to AWS Lambda, refer to the AWS deployment guide for serverless-specific configurations.