using IronXL;
using System;
using System.Linq;
// Supported for XLSX, XLS, XLSM, XLTX, CSV and TSV
WorkBook workBook = WorkBook.Load("sample.xlsx");
// Select worksheet at index 0
WorkSheet workSheet = workBook.WorkSheets[0];
// Get any existing worksheet
WorkSheet firstSheet = workBook.DefaultWorkSheet;
// Select a cell and return the converted value
int cellValue = workSheet["A2"].IntValue;
// Read from ranges of cells elegantly.
foreach (var cell in workSheet["A2:A10"])
{
Console.WriteLine("Cell {0} has value '{1}'", cell.AddressString, cell.Text);
}
// Calculate aggregate values such as Min, Max and Sum
decimal sum = workSheet["A2:A10"].Sum();
// Linq compatible
decimal max = workSheet["A2:A10"].Max(c => c.DecimalValue);
Many developers discover ExcelDataReader when searching for a lightweight solution to handle Excel files in C#. However, they quickly encounter a fundamental limitation: despite its name suggesting full Excel functionality, ExcelDataReader cannot write to Excel files. This helpful article clarifies this common misconception and presents IronXL as a comprehensive alternative that handles both reading and writing Excel documents seamlessly. The focus of this guide is to help you deal with Excel writing limitations in a straightforward manner.
In this guide, you'll learn why ExcelDataReader can't write Excel files, how IronXL solves that limitation with success, and how to get started, complete with working code examples. Additionally, you'll discover how to convert csv data, populate columns with array objects, and pass data between different file formats using various encoding options..
Can ExcelDataReader Write Excel Workbook Data?
No, ExcelDataReader cannot write Excel files. This library is designed exclusively for reading Excel documents in various formats (XLS, XLSX, CSV), and while it is a fast library written for reading Excel files in C#, this is really all it's built for. The official GitHub repository even explicitly states it's a "library for reading Microsoft Excel files" with no writing capabilities. When you install the package and reference the dll in your project, you'll find it cannot handle encoding for writing, skip rows to fix data issues, or deal with column names and int values in generic collections.
Here's what ExcelDataReader can do, requiring a new excelreaderconfiguration instance to handle filepath and memory settings for server deployments:
Here's what ExcelDataReader can do:
using ExcelDataReader;
using System.IO;
// ExcelDataReader can ONLY read files
using (var stream = File.Open("data.xlsx", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read))
{
using (var reader = ExcelReaderFactory.CreateReader(stream))
{
// Read data from Excel
while (reader.Read())
{
var value = reader.GetString(0); // Read cell value
}
// But there's no way to write back to the file
}
}
using ExcelDataReader;
using System.IO;
// ExcelDataReader can ONLY read files
using (var stream = File.Open("data.xlsx", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read))
{
using (var reader = ExcelReaderFactory.CreateReader(stream))
{
// Read data from Excel
while (reader.Read())
{
var value = reader.GetString(0); // Read cell value
}
// But there's no way to write back to the file
}
}
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This code demonstrates ExcelDataReader's read-only nature. The library efficiently extracts data from Excel files but provides no methods like Write(), Save(), or SetCellValue(). Developers needing to create reports, update spreadsheets, generate new Excel files, record information, post results to other systems, comment on cells, implement linq queries, or populate tags and metadata must look elsewhere.
How Does IronXL Solve the Writing Problem?
IronXL provides complete Excel manipulation capabilities, allowing developers to read, create, edit, and save Excel files without Microsoft Office dependencies. Unlike read-only solutions, IronXL treats Excel files as fully editable documents. This straightforward approach lets you deal with csv data, convert between formats, and populate sheets seamlessly.
How to Get Started with IronXL?
Installing IronXL requires just one NuGet command:
Install-Package IronXL.Excel
Basic implementation follows familiar patterns:
using IronXL;
// Your first IronXL application
class Program
{
static void Main()
{
// Create workbook
WorkBook workBook = WorkBook.Create();
WorkSheet sheet = workBook.CreateWorkSheet("Data");
// Write your data
sheet["A1"].Value = "Hello Excel";
// Save to file
workBook.SaveAs("output.xlsx");
}
}
using IronXL;
// Your first IronXL application
class Program
{
static void Main()
{
// Create workbook
WorkBook workBook = WorkBook.Create();
WorkSheet sheet = workBook.CreateWorkSheet("Data");
// Write your data
sheet["A1"].Value = "Hello Excel";
// Save to file
workBook.SaveAs("output.xlsx");
}
}
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Here, we have easily created a new Excel workbook, and a new Excel sheet called "Data". In this new sheet, you can easily add data from your CSV files, DataTable, dataset, and other data sources. Sep delimited files and various encoding formats are supported across .NET core platforms.
For developers migrating from ExcelDataReader, the transition involves replacing read-only operations with IronXL's read-write methods. The learning curve is minimal since IronXL uses intuitive syntax that mirrors Excel's cell reference system.
using IronXL;
// Create a new Excel file
WorkBook workBook = WorkBook.Create();
WorkSheet sheet = workBook.CreateWorkSheet("Report");
// Write values to specific cells
sheet["A1"].Value = "Product";
sheet["B1"].Value = "Quantity";
sheet["A2"].Value = "Widget";
sheet["B2"].Value = 100;
// Save the file
workBook.SaveAs("inventory.xlsx");
using IronXL;
// Create a new Excel file
WorkBook workBook = WorkBook.Create();
WorkSheet sheet = workBook.CreateWorkSheet("Report");
// Write values to specific cells
sheet["A1"].Value = "Product";
sheet["B1"].Value = "Quantity";
sheet["A2"].Value = "Widget";
sheet["B2"].Value = 100;
// Save the file
workBook.SaveAs("inventory.xlsx");
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This example creates a new workbook, adds data to specific cells, and saves the result. The intuitive cell addressing (sheet["A1"]) makes code readable and maintainable.
Advanced Writing Features
IronXL extends beyond basic cell writing to support complex Excel operations:
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These capabilities enable developers to generate professional Excel reports programmatically, complete with calculations and formatting. For more advanced features like conditional formatting and Excel charts, IronXL provides comprehensive documentation.
What's the Implementation Difference?
The fundamental difference becomes clear when comparing typical workflows. Consider a common requirement: reading data from one Excel file and creating a modified version.
ExcelDataReader Approach (Incomplete)
// Read with ExcelDataReader
List<string> data = new List<string>();
using (var stream = File.Open("source.xlsx", FileMode.Open))
{
using (var reader = ExcelReaderFactory.CreateReader(stream))
{
while (reader.Read())
{
data.Add(reader.GetString(0));
}
}
}
// Cannot write back to Excel - need another library!
// Read with ExcelDataReader
List<string> data = new List<string>();
using (var stream = File.Open("source.xlsx", FileMode.Open))
{
using (var reader = ExcelReaderFactory.CreateReader(stream))
{
while (reader.Read())
{
data.Add(reader.GetString(0));
}
}
}
// Cannot write back to Excel - need another library!
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Writing and Reading Microsoft Excel Files with IronXL: The Complete Solution
// Read and write with IronXL
WorkBook workBook = WorkBook.Load("source.xlsx");
WorkSheet sheet = workBook.DefaultWorkSheet;
// Read existing data
string originalValue = sheet["A1"].StringValue;
// Modify and add new data
sheet["A1"].Value = originalValue.ToUpper();
sheet["B1"].Value = DateTime.Now;
// Save as new file
workBook.SaveAs("modified.xlsx");
// Read and write with IronXL
WorkBook workBook = WorkBook.Load("source.xlsx");
WorkSheet sheet = workBook.DefaultWorkSheet;
// Read existing data
string originalValue = sheet["A1"].StringValue;
// Modify and add new data
sheet["A1"].Value = originalValue.ToUpper();
sheet["B1"].Value = DateTime.Now;
// Save as new file
workBook.SaveAs("modified.xlsx");
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IronXL provides a unified API for all Excel operations. This eliminates the need to mix multiple libraries, reducing complexity and potential compatibility issues.
When Should You Use IronXL?
IronXL becomes essential when your application requires:
Report Generation: Creating Excel reports from database queries or API responses
Data Export: Converting application and CSV data to Excel format for users
Template Processing: Filling Excel templates with dynamic data
Spreadsheet Automation: Updating existing files with new information
These scenarios are impossible with ExcelDataReader alone. While ExcelDataReader excels at extracting data from existing files, any requirement to produce or modify Excel documents necessitates a library with writing capabilities. When you need to implement solutions that convert data, populate column names from array objects, fix formatting issues, record changes, or post results to a server, IronXL provides the complete toolset.
Business applications particularly benefit from IronXL's comprehensive features. Whether generating invoices, creating inventory reports, or producing financial statements, the ability to both read source data and write formatted output streamlines development.
Conclusion
ExcelDataReader serves a specific purpose: efficiently reading Excel files. However, modern applications typically require bidirectional Excel interaction. IronXL addresses this need by providing complete Excel manipulation capabilities in a single, cohesive library. Instead of combining multiple tools or working around limitations, developers can handle all Excel operations with one consistent API.
Ready to move beyond read-only Excel operations? Start with IronXL's free trial to experience complete Excel control in your .NET applications. For production use, explore licensing options that include dedicated support and deployment flexibility.
Regan graduated from the University of Reading, with a BA in Electronic Engineering. Before joining Iron Software, his previous job roles had him laser-focused on single tasks; and what he most enjoys at Iron Software is the spectrum of work he gets to undertake, whether it’s adding value to ...Read More
