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Una Comparación de NPOI vs IronXL

Una comparación de IronXL y NPOI

As you may know, Excel is probably the most used spreadsheet application in the world. Users include both developers and the general population, but it is developers who will probably be more engaged by this article. Initially, there weren’t many options for developers to work with Excel across their various applications. However, there were VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) built into the Office Suite with which you could manipulate any Office product according to your needs.

Developers used VBA in Excel to customize their interactions with Excel and its data, even its visual capabilities. But, eventually this wasn’t enough. Developers wanted more, and so they began using Office.Interop.

In this article, I will compare two very good Excel libraries that do not depend on Office.Interop to work with Excel. They are:

  • IronXL
  • NPOI

You will see and learn what each Excel library can do, and then compare the two through code examples and step-by-step tutorials. Although this article cannot cover all features of both Excel libraries, it will explain the most common and most popular uses of each.

What is NPOI?

NPOI is the .NET version of the POI Java project at http://poi.apache.org/. POI is an open-source project that can help you read/write xls, doc, ppt files. It has a wide range of applications.

For example, you can use it to:

  • Generate an Excel report without Microsoft Office suite installed on your server and more efficient than calling Microsoft Excel ActiveX in the background
  • Extract text from Office documents to help you implement a full-text indexing feature (most of the time this feature is used to create search engines)
  • Extract images from Office documents
  • Generate Excel sheets that contain formulas

NPOI and Excel

NPOI is a C# port of the POI Java project by Apache. It is free and open-source. Also, it doesn't need Interop, meaning that users will not need to have Excel installed to have the developer's app work with it.

IronXL and Excel

IronXL is an Excel API for VB and C#. With IronXL you can read, edit, and create Excel spreadsheet files in .NET.

Common Library Features for the NPOI and IronXL Excel Libraries

NPOI IronXL
Cell Ranges Cell Ranges
Cell styling (Border, Color, Fill, Font, Number, Alignments) Cell visual styles Font, Size, Background pattern, Border, Alignment, and Number formats.
Formula calculation Formulas
Data Validation Data Validation
Conditional formatting Conditional formatting
Images Images
Charts Charts

Table 1 - Feature Comparison


Installation of IronXL and NPOI

You can install both libraries by downloading them manually, via NuGet, or with the NuGet Package Manager in Visual Studio. Here is a quick overview.

NPOI Installation

Installing NPOI with NuGet

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

Install-Package NPOI -Version x.x.x
Graphical user interfaceDescription automatically generated

Figure 1 - NuGet NPOI Installation

Visual Studio NuGet Package Manager and NPOI

Use the following steps to install IronXL or NPOI 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
A screenshot of a computerDescription automatically generated

Figure 2 - NuGet Package Manager for NPOI

IronXL Installation

Downloading IronXL

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

Download IronXL

Figure 3 - 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 -Version x.x.x
NuGet IronXL Installation

Figure 4 - NuGet IronXL Installation

Visual Studio NuGet Package Manager and IronXL

Use the following 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
A screenshot of a computerDescription automatically generated

Figure 5 - NuGet Package Manager for IronXL

Reading from and writing to an Excel file with NPOI and IronXL

Reading an Excel file with NPOI

The following code demonstrates how to read an Excel file and display its contents with NPOI. Add the following code and include the necessary namespaces:

using NPOI.SS.UserModel;
using NPOI.XSSF.UserModel;
using System.Data;
using System.IO;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using NPOI.SS.UserModel;
using NPOI.XSSF.UserModel;
using System.Data;
using System.IO;
using System.Collections.Generic;
Imports NPOI.SS.UserModel
Imports NPOI.XSSF.UserModel
Imports System.Data
Imports System.IO
Imports System.Collections.Generic
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

The below code reads an existing Excel file and displays it inside a data grid view.

public void ReadExcelNPOI()
{
    DataTable dtTable = new DataTable();
    List<string> lstRows = new List<string>();
    ISheet objWorksheet;
    string strPath = @"c:\temp\NPOI_Test.XLSX";

    // Use FileStream to open the Excel file
    using (var fStream = new FileStream(strPath, FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read, FileShare.ReadWrite))
    {
        fStream.Position = 0;
        XSSFWorkbook objWorkbook = new XSSFWorkbook(fStream);
        objWorksheet = objWorkbook.GetSheetAt(0);
        IRow objHeader = objWorksheet.GetRow(0);
        int countCells = objHeader.LastCellNum;

        // Add columns to the DataTable based on the header row of Excel
        for (int j = 0; j < countCells; j++)
        {
            ICell objCell = objHeader.GetCell(j);
            if (objCell == null || string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(objCell.ToString())) continue;
            {
                dtTable.Columns.Add(objCell.ToString());
            }
        }

        // Add rows to the DataTable, looping through each row and cell
        for (int i = (objWorksheet.FirstRowNum + 1); i <= objWorksheet.LastRowNum; i++)
        {
            IRow objRow = objWorksheet.GetRow(i);
            if (objRow == null || objRow.Cells.All(d => d.CellType == CellType.Blank)) continue;

            for (int j = objRow.FirstCellNum; j < countCells; j++)
            {
                ICell cell = objRow.GetCell(j);
                if (cell != null && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(cell.ToString()) && !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(cell.ToString()))
                {
                    lstRows.Add(cell.ToString());
                }
            }

            if (lstRows.Count > 0)
                dtTable.Rows.Add(lstRows.ToArray());

            lstRows.Clear();
        }
    }

    // Assuming dataGridView1 is a DataGridView control on a Form
    dataGridView1.DataSource = dtTable;
}

private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    ReadExcelNPOI();
}
public void ReadExcelNPOI()
{
    DataTable dtTable = new DataTable();
    List<string> lstRows = new List<string>();
    ISheet objWorksheet;
    string strPath = @"c:\temp\NPOI_Test.XLSX";

    // Use FileStream to open the Excel file
    using (var fStream = new FileStream(strPath, FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read, FileShare.ReadWrite))
    {
        fStream.Position = 0;
        XSSFWorkbook objWorkbook = new XSSFWorkbook(fStream);
        objWorksheet = objWorkbook.GetSheetAt(0);
        IRow objHeader = objWorksheet.GetRow(0);
        int countCells = objHeader.LastCellNum;

        // Add columns to the DataTable based on the header row of Excel
        for (int j = 0; j < countCells; j++)
        {
            ICell objCell = objHeader.GetCell(j);
            if (objCell == null || string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(objCell.ToString())) continue;
            {
                dtTable.Columns.Add(objCell.ToString());
            }
        }

        // Add rows to the DataTable, looping through each row and cell
        for (int i = (objWorksheet.FirstRowNum + 1); i <= objWorksheet.LastRowNum; i++)
        {
            IRow objRow = objWorksheet.GetRow(i);
            if (objRow == null || objRow.Cells.All(d => d.CellType == CellType.Blank)) continue;

            for (int j = objRow.FirstCellNum; j < countCells; j++)
            {
                ICell cell = objRow.GetCell(j);
                if (cell != null && !string.IsNullOrEmpty(cell.ToString()) && !string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(cell.ToString()))
                {
                    lstRows.Add(cell.ToString());
                }
            }

            if (lstRows.Count > 0)
                dtTable.Rows.Add(lstRows.ToArray());

            lstRows.Clear();
        }
    }

    // Assuming dataGridView1 is a DataGridView control on a Form
    dataGridView1.DataSource = dtTable;
}

private void button1_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    ReadExcelNPOI();
}
Public Sub ReadExcelNPOI()
	Dim dtTable As New DataTable()
	Dim lstRows As New List(Of String)()
	Dim objWorksheet As ISheet
	Dim strPath As String = "c:\temp\NPOI_Test.XLSX"

	' Use FileStream to open the Excel file
	Using fStream = New FileStream(strPath, FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read, FileShare.ReadWrite)
		fStream.Position = 0
		Dim objWorkbook As New XSSFWorkbook(fStream)
		objWorksheet = objWorkbook.GetSheetAt(0)
		Dim objHeader As IRow = objWorksheet.GetRow(0)
		Dim countCells As Integer = objHeader.LastCellNum

		' Add columns to the DataTable based on the header row of Excel
		For j As Integer = 0 To countCells - 1
			Dim objCell As ICell = objHeader.GetCell(j)
			If objCell Is Nothing OrElse String.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(DirectCast(objCell, Object).ToString()) Then
				Continue For
			End If
			If True Then
				dtTable.Columns.Add(DirectCast(objCell, Object).ToString())
			End If
		Next j

		' Add rows to the DataTable, looping through each row and cell
		For i As Integer = (objWorksheet.FirstRowNum + 1) To objWorksheet.LastRowNum
			Dim objRow As IRow = objWorksheet.GetRow(i)
			If objRow Is Nothing OrElse objRow.Cells.All(Function(d) d.CellType = CellType.Blank) Then
				Continue For
			End If

			For j As Integer = objRow.FirstCellNum To countCells - 1
				Dim cell As ICell = objRow.GetCell(j)
				If cell IsNot Nothing AndAlso Not String.IsNullOrEmpty(DirectCast(cell, Object).ToString()) AndAlso Not String.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(DirectCast(cell, Object).ToString()) Then
					lstRows.Add(DirectCast(cell, Object).ToString())
				End If
			Next j

			If lstRows.Count > 0 Then
				dtTable.Rows.Add(lstRows.ToArray())
			End If

			lstRows.Clear()
		Next i
	End Using

	' Assuming dataGridView1 is a DataGridView control on a Form
	dataGridView1.DataSource = dtTable
End Sub

Private Sub button1_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
	ReadExcelNPOI()
End Sub
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

Reading an Excel file with IronXL

The following code demonstrates how to read an Excel file and display it inside a data grid view with IronXL. Add the following code and include the namespace:

using IronXL;
using System.Data;
using IronXL;
using System.Data;
Imports IronXL
Imports System.Data
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

Notice the inclusion of IronXL. This is necessary for IronXL to work. Add the next few lines:

private void button2_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    // Load the Excel workbook
    string strPath = @"c:\temp\NPOI_Test.XLSX";
    WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Load(strPath);

    // Access the default worksheet
    WorkSheet sheet = workbook.DefaultWorkSheet;

    // Convert the worksheet to a DataTable
    var dtTable = sheet.ToDataTable(true);

    // Assuming dataGridView1 is a DataGridView control on a Form
    dataGridView1.DataSource = dtTable;
}
private void button2_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    // Load the Excel workbook
    string strPath = @"c:\temp\NPOI_Test.XLSX";
    WorkBook workbook = WorkBook.Load(strPath);

    // Access the default worksheet
    WorkSheet sheet = workbook.DefaultWorkSheet;

    // Convert the worksheet to a DataTable
    var dtTable = sheet.ToDataTable(true);

    // Assuming dataGridView1 is a DataGridView control on a Form
    dataGridView1.DataSource = dtTable;
}
Private Sub button2_Click(ByVal sender As Object, ByVal e As EventArgs)
	' Load the Excel workbook
	Dim strPath As String = "c:\temp\NPOI_Test.XLSX"
	Dim workbook As WorkBook = WorkBook.Load(strPath)

	' Access the default worksheet
	Dim sheet As WorkSheet = workbook.DefaultWorkSheet

	' Convert the worksheet to a DataTable
	Dim dtTable = sheet.ToDataTable(True)

	' Assuming dataGridView1 is a DataGridView control on a Form
	dataGridView1.DataSource = dtTable
End Sub
$vbLabelText   $csharpLabel

As you can see, this all adds up to a lot less work.

Conclusion

So why IronXL? As you see, IronXL has an easy to use API, that keeps your code clean. Libraries that use IronXL boast clean, readable code which is an investment that pays off by reducing time and effort needed to understand what the code does, allowing it to be changed without breaking things.

IronXL is more intuitive all-around while being as powerful as NPOI. And, of course, with a license key you get access to the most important advantage of paid software: you get our professional support, consistent and reliable update schedules, and ability to request features from Iron Software support agents who are happy to assist you. This is something open source just can’t provide.

Downloads

This project is available on GitHub:

IronXL vs NPOI Example

Por favor notaNPOI is a registered trademark of its respective owner. This site is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by NPOI. All product names, logos, and brands are property of their respective owners. Comparisons are for informational purposes only and reflect publicly available information at the time of writing.

Preguntas Frecuentes

¿Cuál es una alternativa para usar Office.Interop para la manipulación de Excel en C#?

IronXL es una alternativa al uso de Office.Interop para la manipulación de Excel en C#. Proporciona una API fácil de usar que permite a los desarrolladores crear, leer y editar archivos de Excel sin necesidad de tener Microsoft Office instalado.

¿Cómo puedo convertir archivos Excel a PDF en C#?

Puedes usar IronXL para convertir archivos de Excel a PDF en C# cargando el libro de Excel con WorkBook.Load y luego usando el método WorkBook.SaveAs para guardar el archivo en formato PDF.

¿Cuáles son los beneficios clave de usar IronXL para la manipulación de archivos de Excel?

IronXL ofrece una API más intuitiva para un mantenimiento de código más fácil, soporte profesional, actualizaciones regulares y la capacidad de manejar archivos de Excel sin Microsoft Office instalado, lo que lo convierte en una opción fuerte para los desarrolladores.

¿Se puede instalar IronXL a través de NuGet?

Sí, IronXL se puede instalar a través de NuGet. Abre el símbolo del sistema de desarrollador de Visual Studio e introduce Install-Package IronXL.Excel -Version x.x.x.

¿Cuáles son algunas tareas comunes relacionadas con Excel que pueden realizarse utilizando IronXL?

Utilizando IronXL, los desarrolladores pueden realizar tareas como leer y escribir archivos de Excel, dar estilo a las celdas, usar fórmulas, validar datos, aplicar formato condicional y trabajar con imágenes y gráficos.

¿Cómo leo un archivo de Excel en C# sin Microsoft Office?

Con IronXL, puedes leer un archivo de Excel en C# cargando el libro usando WorkBook.Load, accediendo a la hoja de trabajo y recorriendo las filas y celdas mediante métodos sencillos.

¿Por qué elegir IronXL frente a alternativas de código abierto para la manipulación de Excel?

IronXL proporciona una API más fácil de usar, soporte profesional, actualizaciones regulares y atenciones constantes a solicitudes de características, que son ventajas sobre las alternativas de código abierto como NPOI.

¿En qué se diferencia NPOI de IronXL para la manipulación de archivos de Excel?

NPOI es una biblioteca de código abierto basada en el proyecto Apache POI para manejar archivos de Excel sin Microsoft Office. Sin embargo, IronXL ofrece una API más intuitiva, soporte profesional y actualizaciones regulares, lo que lo hace adecuado para aplicaciones comerciales.

¿Cuál es el proceso para convertir una hoja de trabajo de Excel a un DataTable usando IronXL?

Para convertir una hoja de trabajo de Excel a un DataTable usando IronXL, carga el libro con WorkBook.Load, accede a la hoja de trabajo deseada y usa el método disponible para convertirlo en DataTable para su uso posterior.

¿Cómo puede mejorar IronXL la gestión de archivos Excel en aplicaciones .NET?

IronXL mejora la gestión de archivos de Excel en aplicaciones .NET al ofrecer una API limpia e intuitiva, facilitando tareas como lectura, edición y creación de archivos de Excel de manera fácil, sin depender de instalaciones de Microsoft Office.

Jordi Bardia
Ingeniero de Software
Jordi es más competente en Python, C# y C++. Cuando no está aprovechando sus habilidades en Iron Software, está programando juegos. Compartiendo responsabilidades para pruebas de productos, desarrollo de productos e investigación, Jordi agrega un valor inmenso a la mejora continua del producto. La experiencia variada lo mantiene ...
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