EasyXLS

How to read XLS file in C#.NET

EasyXLS Excel library can be used to import Excel files in C#. The library works with .NET Framework or .NET Core platform.

Step 1: Download EasyXLS Excel Library for .NET

To download the trial version of EasyXLS Excel Library, press the below button:

Download EasyXLS™ Excel Library for C#

If you already own a license key, you may login and download EasyXLS from your account.

Install the downloaded EasyXLS installer for v8.6 or earlier.

Step 2: License file setup

Step required for EasyXLS v9.0 or later.

If you are using a trial, generate a trial license file from EasyXLS trials page. The trial license is valid for 30-days.

If you own a license key, you may login to the account that purchased the license and generate the license file from:
https://www.easyxls.com/my-orders

Setup the license file into your project using these guidelines.

Step 3: Create a C# project

If don't have a project, create one as ASP.NET web application, windows forms app, console application, class library or service.

Step 4: Include EasyXLS library into project

EasyXLS.dll must be added as reference to your project. EasyXLS.dll can be found:
- Inside the downloaded archive at Step 1 for EasyXLS v9.0 or later
- Under installation path for EasyXLS v8.6 or earlier, in "Dot NET version" folder.

Add EasyXLS reference

Step 5: Run C# code that reads XLS file

Execute the following C# code that imports an XLS file.

/* ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 * Tutorial 37
 * 
 * This tutorial shows how to read an Excel XLS file in C# (the
 * XLS file generated by Tutorial 28 as base template), modify
 * some data and save it to another XLS file (Tutorial37 - read XLS file.xls).
 * ------------------------------------------------------------------------ */

using System;
using System.IO;
using System.Data;
using EasyXLS;

public class Tutorial37
{
    [STAThread]
    static void Main()
    {
        Console.WriteLine("Tutorial 37\n-----------\n");

        // Create an instance of the class that reads Excel files
        ExcelDocument workbook = new ExcelDocument();

        // Read XLS file
        Console.WriteLine("Reading file C:\\Samples\\Tutorial28.xls");

        if (workbook.easy_LoadXLSFile("C:\\Samples\\Tutorial28.xls"))
        {
            // Get the table of data for the second worksheet
            ExcelTable xlsSecondTable = 
                ((ExcelWorksheet)workbook.easy_getSheet("Second tab")).easy_getExcelTable();

            // Write some data to the second sheet
            xlsSecondTable.easy_getCell("A1").setValue("Data added by Tutorial37");

            for (int column=0; column<5; column++)
            {
                xlsSecondTable.easy_getCell(1, column).setValue("Data " + (column + 1)); 
            }

            // Export the new XLS file
            Console.WriteLine("\nWriting file C:\\Samples\\Tutorial37 - read XLS file.xls.");
            workbook.easy_WriteXLSFile("C:\\Samples\\Tutorial37 - read XLS file.xls");

            // Confirm export of Excel file
            String sError = workbook.easy_getError();
            if (sError.Equals(""))
                Console.Write("\nFile successfully created.");
            else
                Console.Write("\nError encountered: " + sError);
        }
        else
        {
            Console.WriteLine("Error reading file C:\\Samples\\Tutorial28.xls");
        }

        Console.WriteLine("\nPress Enter to exit ...");

        // Dispose memory
        workbook.Dispose();

        Console.ReadLine();
    }
}

EasyXLS Excel libraries:

.NET
Excel Library for C#
full .NET version to import, export or convert Excel files
Excel Reader for C#
.NET version to read and import Excel files
Download EasyXLS™ Excel Library for C#

File formats:

MS Excel 97 - 2003
MS Excel 2007 - 2019
MS Excel 2021
Office 365
XLSXXLSMXLSBXLS
XMLHTMLCSVTXT