How to Write A CSV File in C#

How Do I Write Data to a CSV File?

1. Install the C# library for writing CSV files.

2. Use WorkBook.Create to create a new workbook.

3. Create a worksheet using WorkBook.CreateWorkSheet.

4. Add values to cells using workSheet["cell name"].Value.

5. Save as CSV using the SaveAs method.

These steps provide the foundation for creating spreadsheets and exporting data in various formats. The process is similar whether you're working with CSV, XLSX, or other supported formats. For more complex scenarios, you can also import Excel data and convert between different spreadsheet file types.

What Makes IronXL the Best Choice for CSV Operations?

IronXL stands out as an efficient solution for C# developers who need to write data to CSV files compared to the CSVHelper NuGet package. In today's software development landscape, the ability to handle and manipulate data is essential, and IronXL delivers with its robust toolset designed specifically for C#.

The library excels in several key areas:

• Cross-platform compatibility: Works seamlessly on Windows, Linux, and macOS
• No dependencies: Unlike traditional Interop solutions, IronXL doesn't require Excel installation
• Performance: Optimized for handling large datasets with efficient memory usage
• Versatility: Supports multiple file formats including XLSX, XLS, TSV, JSON, and XML

This article explores the features and methods that make IronXL an excellent choice for C# developers looking to streamline the process of writing data to CSV files, balancing simplicity with precision. Whether you're building ASP.NET applications, working with Blazor, or developing .NET MAUI apps, IronXL provides consistent and reliable functionality.

How Do I Create a New Visual Studio Project for CSV Operations?

To start using the IronXL library, you'll need to create a new Visual Studio C# project or load an existing one. Here's how to create a new project in Visual Studio:

1. Open Visual Studio and navigate to the "File" menu. You'll see a drop-down menu; select "New" from this menu. This action will reveal another side menu.

   Figure 1: The Visual Studio File menu with 'New > Project' highlighted, showing the first step to create a new C# project for CSV file operations

2. In the side menu, find and click on "Project". This opens a new window. Use the search bar to find "Console Application". Select the option associated with C# and proceed by clicking the Next button. The Console Application template works great for demonstrating CSV operations and can easily be adapted for web applications or cloud deployments.

   Figure 2: Creating a new Console Application project in Visual Studio with cross-platform .NET Core support

3. A configuration window appears next. Enter the project name, specify the project location, and click the Next button. Consider organizing your projects in a dedicated folder structure, especially when working with multiple Excel files or database integrations.

   Figure 3: Configure your new project settings in Visual Studio, including project name, location, and solution options

4. The final window appears. Pick the target framework and start the project creation process by clicking the Create button. For optimal compatibility with IronXL features like conditional formatting and chart creation, .NET 6.0 or later is recommended.

   Figure 4: Select .NET 5.0 as the target framework in the Additional Information dialog when creating a new Console Application project

How Do I Install the IronXL CSV Library?

Now that you've set up the project, let's add the IronXL C# library. Follow these steps to install IronXL:

1. In Visual Studio, go to the Tools menu. A dropdown menu appears—select NuGet Package Manager from this menu. IronXL can also be installed via Docker containers for containerized applications.

2. Within the NuGet Package Manager, choose Manage NuGet Packages for Solution from the side menu.

   Access the NuGet Package Manager through the Tools menu in Visual Studio to install packages for writing CSV files in C#

3. A new window opens. Go to the Browse tab, and in the search bar, type "IronXL". You'll see a list of IronXL packages; select the latest one and click the Install button. The library supports various operations including cell formatting, formula editing, and image handling.

   The NuGet Package Manager interface in Visual Studio showing the IronXL.Excel package ready to be installed. Note the latest stable version (2023.11.12) and the package's popularity with over 592K downloads

After installation, ensure your license key is properly configured if you're using IronXL in a production environment. For development and testing, you can use the free trial.

How Do I Write Data to CSV Files Using IronXL?

Let's write data into a CSV file using the IronXL library. In this section, we'll create a new CSV file and populate it with data. The following example uses IronXL to create a simple receipt in a CSV file. Let's break down the code step by step.

using IronXL; 
using System.Linq;

// This is the main class where execution starts.
public class Program {
    static void Main() {
        // Main method where all logic is executed
    }
}

using IronXL; 
using System.Linq;

// This is the main class where execution starts.
public class Program {
    static void Main() {
        // Main method where all logic is executed
    }
}

// Create a new workbook. This serves as the container for all worksheets.
WorkBook workBook = WorkBook.Create();

// Create a new worksheet within the workbook named "Receipt".
WorkSheet workSheet = workBook.CreateWorkSheet("Receipt");

// Create a new workbook. This serves as the container for all worksheets.
WorkBook workBook = WorkBook.Create();

// Create a new worksheet within the workbook named "Receipt".
WorkSheet workSheet = workBook.CreateWorkSheet("Receipt");

// Set the header row for columns. Headers added for better understanding of data.
workSheet["A1"].Value = "Product"; 
workSheet["B1"].Value = "Price";

// Set the header row for columns. Headers added for better understanding of data.
workSheet["A1"].Value = "Product"; 
workSheet["B1"].Value = "Price";

// Populate worksheet with product data and their respective prices.
workSheet["A2"].Value = "Item 1"; 
workSheet["B2"].DoubleValue = 20.10; 

workSheet["A3"].Value = "Item 2"; 
workSheet["B3"].DoubleValue = 15.50; 

workSheet["A4"].Value = "Item 3"; 
workSheet["B4"].DoubleValue = 10.25;

// Populate worksheet with product data and their respective prices.
workSheet["A2"].Value = "Item 1"; 
workSheet["B2"].DoubleValue = 20.10; 

workSheet["A3"].Value = "Item 2"; 
workSheet["B3"].DoubleValue = 15.50; 

workSheet["A4"].Value = "Item 3"; 
workSheet["B4"].DoubleValue = 10.25;

// Define the range for price values to be summed.
var range = workSheet["B2:B4"];

// Calculate the sum of prices.
decimal sum = range.Sum();

// Define the range for price values to be summed.
var range = workSheet["B2:B4"];

// Calculate the sum of prices.
decimal sum = range.Sum();

// Display the sum in the console.
System.Console.WriteLine(sum);

// Update the total price in the worksheet.
workSheet["B5"].Value = sum;

// Display the sum in the console.
System.Console.WriteLine(sum);

// Update the total price in the worksheet.
workSheet["B5"].Value = sum;

// Save the workbook as a CSV file named "receipt.csv".
workBook.SaveAs("receipt.csv");

// Save the workbook as a CSV file named "receipt.csv".
workBook.SaveAs("receipt.csv");

using IronXL;
using System.Linq;

public class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        // Create a new workbook and worksheet
        WorkBook workBook = WorkBook.Create();
        WorkSheet workSheet = workBook.CreateWorkSheet("Receipt");

        // Add headers with formatting
        workSheet["A1"].Value = "Product";
        workSheet["B1"].Value = "Price";

        // Style the header row
        workSheet["A1:B1"].Style.Font.Bold = true;
        workSheet["A1:B1"].Style.FillPattern = IronXL.Styles.FillPattern.Solid;
        workSheet["A1:B1"].Style.BackgroundColor = "#CCCCCC";

        // Add product data
        workSheet["A2"].Value = "Item 1";
        workSheet["B2"].DoubleValue = 20.10;

        workSheet["A3"].Value = "Item 2";
        workSheet["B3"].DoubleValue = 15.50;

        workSheet["A4"].Value = "Item 3";
        workSheet["B4"].DoubleValue = 10.25;

        // Calculate and add total
        var priceRange = workSheet["B2:B4"];
        decimal total = priceRange.Sum();

        workSheet["A5"].Value = "Total";
        workSheet["B5"].Value = total;
        workSheet["A5:B5"].Style.Font.Bold = true;

        // Apply number formatting to prices
        workSheet["B2:B5"].FormatString = "$#,##0.00";

        // Save as CSV file
        workBook.SaveAs("receipt.csv");

        Console.WriteLine($"Receipt saved successfully. Total: ${total:F2}");
    }
}

using IronXL;
using System.Linq;

public class Program
{
    static void Main()
    {
        // Create a new workbook and worksheet
        WorkBook workBook = WorkBook.Create();
        WorkSheet workSheet = workBook.CreateWorkSheet("Receipt");

        // Add headers with formatting
        workSheet["A1"].Value = "Product";
        workSheet["B1"].Value = "Price";

        // Style the header row
        workSheet["A1:B1"].Style.Font.Bold = true;
        workSheet["A1:B1"].Style.FillPattern = IronXL.Styles.FillPattern.Solid;
        workSheet["A1:B1"].Style.BackgroundColor = "#CCCCCC";

        // Add product data
        workSheet["A2"].Value = "Item 1";
        workSheet["B2"].DoubleValue = 20.10;

        workSheet["A3"].Value = "Item 2";
        workSheet["B3"].DoubleValue = 15.50;

        workSheet["A4"].Value = "Item 3";
        workSheet["B4"].DoubleValue = 10.25;

        // Calculate and add total
        var priceRange = workSheet["B2:B4"];
        decimal total = priceRange.Sum();

        workSheet["A5"].Value = "Total";
        workSheet["B5"].Value = total;
        workSheet["A5:B5"].Style.Font.Bold = true;

        // Apply number formatting to prices
        workSheet["B2:B5"].FormatString = "$#,##0.00";

        // Save as CSV file
        workBook.SaveAs("receipt.csv");

        Console.WriteLine($"Receipt saved successfully. Total: ${total:F2}");
    }
}

What Are the Key Takeaways?

This comprehensive article highlights the importance of writing CSV files in C# and explains the process using the IronXL library. It emphasizes the fundamental nature of this skill in various data-centric applications and showcases IronXL's ability to simplify and optimize data manipulation tasks within the C# ecosystem. The step-by-step approach, from project setup to using IronXL to create a receipt and save it as a CSV file, provides you with a practical understanding of the seamless integration between C# and Excel operations.

Key benefits of using IronXL for CSV operations include:

• Simplicity: Intuitive API that mirrors Excel's cell referencing
• Flexibility: Support for various data types and number formats
• Performance: Efficient handling of large datasets
• Compatibility: Works across platforms and .NET versions
• Rich Features: Beyond CSV writing, supports charts, named ranges, and tables

By offering versatility and efficiency, IronXL emerges as a valuable tool for C# developers looking to enhance their ability to handle and export data in the ubiquitous CSV format, making it a crucial asset for various software development scenarios.

IronXL provides a solution for all Excel-related tasks to be done programmatically whether it's formula calculation, string sorting, trimming, finding and replacing, merging and unmerging, saving files, and more. You can also set cell data formats, work with hyperlinks, and even group and ungroup rows and columns for better organization.

For the complete tutorial on writing into a CSV file, visit this blog here. The code example for creating a CSV file can be found in the following blog. Additional resources include tutorials on reading CSV files and converting DataTable to CSV.

IronXL offers a free trial, allowing you to evaluate its capabilities. If you find it useful for your projects, you can purchase a license starting from $799. The library also provides comprehensive documentation, code examples, and API references to help you get started quickly.