ExcelApplication can open and modify an existing spreadsheet. The new spreadsheet can either be saved to disk (overwriting the original file or saved with a new name) or streamed to the browser. This allows you to use a preset format for similar spreadsheets, rather than recreate the format for each.

Alternatively, use an ExcelWriter template.

All features in the original workbook - including macros, charts, PivotTables, and VBA - will be preserved in the new workbook.

How to Modify an Existing Spreadsheet

To modify an existing spreadsheet:

  1. Create an instance of ExcelApplication:

    ExcelApplication xla = new ExcelApplication();
  2. Open an Excel workbook from a file path or a System.IO.Stream:

    //--- Open a workbook from a file path:
    Workbook wb = xla.Open(@"C:\Reports\Report.xlsx");
    

    Or:

    //--- Open a workbook from a Stream:
    FileStream fs = new FileStream(@"C:\Sales\2003\June.xlsx", FileMode.Open);
    Workbook wb = xla.Open(fs);
    
  3. Return a Worksheet object:

    Worksheet ws = wb.Worksheet[0];
  4. Modify the worksheet. For example, add a cell value:

    ws.Cells[0, 0].Value = "Welcome to SoftArtisans OfficeWriter";
    
  5. Save the modified file with a new name, or stream it to the client:

    //--- Save the file on the server:
    xla.Save(wb, @"C:\temp\out.xlsx");
    

    Or:

    //--- Stream the file to the client via HTTP:
    //--- false means Open In Excel, true means Open In Browser (IE only)
    xla.Save(wb, Page.Response, "out.xlsx", false);
    

    For more information on save options, see Output Options.