EasyXLS

How to set page setup options and page breaks in C++

EasyXLS Excel library can be used to export Excel files in C++. The integration varies depending on the project technique, if .NET Framework can be used or not.

EasyXLS using COM+ for projects without .NET Framework

If you opt for the COM+ version of EasyXLS, be sure that you have EasyXLS installed and registered on your machine.

Step 1: Download and install EasyXLS Excel Library for COM+

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.

Step 2: Verify if EasyXLS is registered

Check if EasyXLS component is present in Component Services.

Step 3: 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 4: Run C++ code for page setup options and page breaks

Execute the following C++ code that exports an Excel file with a specified print area, rows repeated at top, page orientation as portrait, paper size as A4 and other related settings.

/* --------------------------------------------------------------------------
 * Tutorial 09
 *
 * This tutorial shows how to create an Excel file in C++ 
 * having multiple sheets. The first sheet is filled with data
 * and the cells are formatted and locked.
 * The column header has comments.
 * The first worksheet has header & footer.
 * The first worksheet has print area, rows to repeat at top, center on page,
 * page orientation, page order, paper size, comments print location,
 * print gridlines option and page breaks.
 * ---------------------------------------------------------------------- */

#include "EasyXLS.h"
#include <conio.h>

int main()
{
    printf("Tutorial 09\n----------\n");

    HRESULT hr;

    // Initialize COM
    hr = CoInitialize(0);

    // Use the SUCCEEDED macro and get a pointer to the interface
    if (SUCCEEDED(hr))
    {
        // Create a pointer to the interface that exports Excel files
        EasyXLS::IExcelDocumentPtr workbook;
        hr = CoCreateInstance(__uuidof(EasyXLS::ExcelDocument),
                              NULL,
                              CLSCTX_ALL,
                              __uuidof(EasyXLS::IExcelDocument),
                              (void**) &workbook) ;

        if (SUCCEEDED(hr)){
            // Create two sheets
            workbook->easy_addWorksheet_2("First tab");
            workbook->easy_addWorksheet_2("Second tab");

            // Protect first sheet
            workbook->easy_getSheetAt(0)->setSheetProtected(true);

            // Get the table of data for the first worksheet
            EasyXLS::IExcelWorksheetPtr xlsFirstTab = (EasyXLS::IExcelWorksheetPtr)workbook->easy_getSheetAt(0);
            EasyXLS::IExcelTablePtr xlsFirstTable = xlsFirstTab->easy_getExcelTable();

            // Create the formatting style for the header
            EasyXLS::IExcelStylePtr xlsStyleHeader;
            hr = CoCreateInstance(__uuidof(EasyXLS::ExcelStyle),
                                  NULL,
                                  CLSCTX_ALL,
                                  __uuidof(EasyXLS::IExcelStyle),
                                  (void**) &xlsStyleHeader) ;
            xlsStyleHeader->setFont("Verdana");
            xlsStyleHeader->setFontSize(8);
            xlsStyleHeader->setItalic(true);
            xlsStyleHeader->setBold(true);
            xlsStyleHeader->setForeground(COLOR_YELLOW);
            xlsStyleHeader->setBackground(COLOR_BLACK);
            xlsStyleHeader->setBorderColors (COLOR_GRAY, COLOR_GRAY, COLOR_GRAY, COLOR_GRAY);
            xlsStyleHeader->setBorderStyles (BORDER_BORDER_MEDIUM, BORDER_BORDER_MEDIUM,
                                                    BORDER_BORDER_MEDIUM, BORDER_BORDER_MEDIUM);
            xlsStyleHeader->setHorizontalAlignment(ALIGNMENT_ALIGNMENT_CENTER);
            xlsStyleHeader->setVerticalAlignment(ALIGNMENT_ALIGNMENT_BOTTOM);
            xlsStyleHeader->setWrap(true);
            xlsStyleHeader->setDataType(DATATYPE_STRING);

            // Add data in cells for report header
            char* cellValue = (char*)malloc(11*sizeof(char));
            char* columnNumber = (char*)malloc(sizeof(char));
            char* commentValue = (char*)malloc(20*sizeof(char));
            for (int column=0; column<5; column++)
            {
                strcpy_s(cellValue, 8, "Column ");
                _itoa_s(column+ 1, columnNumber, 2, 10);
                strcat_s(cellValue, 10, columnNumber);
                xlsFirstTable->easy_getCell(0,column)->setValue(cellValue);
                xlsFirstTable->easy_getCell(0,column)->setStyle(xlsStyleHeader);

                // Add comment for report header cells
                strcpy_s(commentValue, 19, "This is column no ");
                strcat_s(commentValue, 20, columnNumber);
                xlsFirstTable->easy_getCell(0, column)->setComment_2(commentValue);
            }
            xlsFirstTable->easy_getRowAt(0)->setHeight(30);

            // Create a formatting style for cells
            EasyXLS::IExcelStylePtr xlsStyleData;
            hr = CoCreateInstance(__uuidof(EasyXLS::ExcelStyle),
                                  NULL,
                                  CLSCTX_ALL,
                                  __uuidof(EasyXLS::IExcelStyle),
                                  (void**) &xlsStyleData) ;
            xlsStyleData->setHorizontalAlignment(ALIGNMENT_ALIGNMENT_LEFT);
            xlsStyleData->setForeground(COLOR_DARKGRAY);
            xlsStyleData->setWrap(false);
            // Protect cells
            xlsStyleData->setLocked(true);
            xlsStyleData->setDataType(DATATYPE_STRING);

            // Add data in cells for report values
            char* rowNumber = (char*)malloc(sizeof(char));
            for (int row=0; row<100; row++)
            {
                for (int column=0; column<5; column++)
                {
                    strcpy_s(cellValue, 6, "Data ");
                    _itoa_s(column+ 1, columnNumber, 2, 10);
                    _itoa_s(row + 1, rowNumber, 6, 10);

                    strcat_s(cellValue, 10, rowNumber);
                    strcat_s(cellValue, 12, ", ");
                    strcat_s(cellValue, 13, columnNumber);

                    xlsFirstTable->easy_getCell(row+1,column)->setValue(cellValue);
                    xlsFirstTable->easy_getCell(row+1,column)->setStyle(xlsStyleData);
                }
            }

            // Set column widths
            xlsFirstTable->setColumnWidth_2(0, 70);
            xlsFirstTable->setColumnWidth_2(1, 100);
            xlsFirstTable->setColumnWidth_2(2, 70);
            xlsFirstTable->setColumnWidth_2(3, 100);
            xlsFirstTable->setColumnWidth_2(4, 70);

            // Add header on center section
            xlsFirstTab->easy_getHeaderAt_2(HEADER_POSITION_CENTER)->InsertSingleUnderline();
            xlsFirstTab->easy_getHeaderAt_2(HEADER_POSITION_CENTER)->InsertFile();
            xlsFirstTab->easy_getHeaderAt_2(HEADER_POSITION_CENTER)->InsertValue(
                    " - How to create header and footer");

            // Add header on right section
            xlsFirstTab->easy_getHeaderAt_2(HEADER_POSITION_RIGHT)->InsertDate();
            xlsFirstTab->easy_getHeaderAt_2(HEADER_POSITION_RIGHT)->InsertValue(" ");
            xlsFirstTab->easy_getHeaderAt_2(HEADER_POSITION_RIGHT)->InsertTime();

            // Add footer on center section
            xlsFirstTab->easy_getFooterAt_2(FOOTER_POSITION_CENTER)->InsertPage();
            xlsFirstTab->easy_getFooterAt_2(FOOTER_POSITION_CENTER)->InsertValue(" of ");
            xlsFirstTab->easy_getFooterAt_2(FOOTER_POSITION_CENTER)->InsertPages();

            // Get the object that stores the page setup options for the first sheet
            EasyXLS::IExcelPageSetupPtr xlsPageSetup = xlsFirstTab->easy_getPageSetup();
            // Set print area
            xlsPageSetup->easy_setPrintArea_3("A1:E101");
            // Set the rows to repeat at top
            xlsPageSetup->easy_setRowsToRepeatAtTop_3("$1:$1");
            // Set center on page option
            xlsPageSetup->setCenterHorizontally(true);
            // Set page orientation
            xlsPageSetup->setOrientation(PAGESETUP_ORIENTATION_PORTRAIT);
            // Set page order
            xlsPageSetup->setPageOrder(PAGESETUP_PAGE_ORDER_DOWN_THEN_OVER);
            // Set paper size
            xlsPageSetup->setPaperSize(PAGESETUP_PAPER_SIZE_A4);
            // Set where the comments to be printed
            xlsPageSetup->setPrintComments(PAGESETUP_COMMENTS_AT_END_OF_SHEET);
            // Set the gridlines to be printed
            xlsPageSetup->setPrintGridlines(true);
            
            // Insert page breaks on rows
            xlsFirstTable->easy_insertPageBreakAtRow(21);
            xlsFirstTable->easy_insertPageBreakAtRow(41);
            xlsFirstTable->easy_insertPageBreakAtRow(61);
            xlsFirstTable->easy_insertPageBreakAtRow(81);
            
            // Set page break preview for the sheet
            xlsFirstTab->setPageBreakPreview(true);

            // Export Excel file
            printf("Writing file C:\\Samples\\Tutorial09 - Excel page setup.xlsx.");
            workbook->easy_WriteXLSXFile("C:\\Samples\\Tutorial09 - Excel page setup.xlsx");

            // Confirm export of Excel file
            _bstr_t sError = workbook->easy_getError();
            if (strcmp(sError, "") == 0){
                printf("\nFile successfully created. Press Enter to Exit...");
            }
            else{
                printf("\nError encountered: %s", (LPCSTR)sError);
            }

            //Dispose memory
            workbook->Dispose();
        }
        else{
            printf("Object is not available!");
        }
    }
    else{
        printf("COM can't be initialized!");
    }

    // Uninitialize COM
    CoUninitialize();

    _getch();
    return 0;
}

C++ and .NET Framework
This tutorial is valid for C++ applications that cannot use .NET Framework. It is recommended, for better performances, that if the C++ application already uses or can use .NET Framework to make use of this similar code sample.

Overloaded methods
For methods with same name but different parameters, only the first method overload retains the original name. Subsequent overloads are uniquely renamed by appending to the method name '_2', '_3', etc (method, method_2, method_3), an integer that corresponds to the order of declaration that can be found in EasyXLS.h, a file that comes with EasyXLS installation.

EasyXLS in C++.NET projects using .NET Framework

If you opt for the .NET Framework version of EasyXLS, you need a C++.NET project and to include EasyXLS.dll into project.

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++.NET

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: Include EasyXLS library into project

EasyXLS.dll must be added 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.

Step 4: Run C++ code for page setup options and page breaks

Execute the following C++ code that exports an Excel file with a specified print area, rows repeated at top, page orientation as portrait, paper size as A4 and other related settings.

/*---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 | Tutorial 09
 |
 | This tutorial shows how to create an Excel file in C++.NET
 | having multiple sheets. The first sheet is filled with data
 | and the cells are formatted and locked.
 | The column header has comments.
 | The first worksheet has header & footer.
 | The first worksheet has print area, rows to repeat at top, center on page,
 | page orientation, page order, paper size, comments print location,
 | print gridlines option and page breaks.
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------*/

using namespace System;
using namespace System::Drawing;
using namespace EasyXLS;
using namespace EasyXLS::Constants;

int main()
{
    Console::WriteLine("Tutorial 09\n----------\n");

    // Create an instance of the class that exports Excel files, having two sheets
    ExcelDocument ^workbook = gcnew ExcelDocument(2);

    // Set the sheet names
    workbook->easy_getSheetAt(0)->setSheetName("First tab");
    workbook->easy_getSheetAt(1)->setSheetName("Second tab");

    // Protect first sheet
    workbook->easy_getSheetAt(0)->setSheetProtected(true);

    // Get the table of data for the first worksheet
    ExcelWorksheet ^xlsFirstTab = safe_cast<ExcelWorksheet^>(workbook->easy_getSheetAt(0));
    ExcelTable ^xlsFirstTable = xlsFirstTab->easy_getExcelTable();

    // Create the formatting style for the header
    ExcelStyle ^xlsStyleHeader = gcnew ExcelStyle("Verdana", 8, true, true, Color::Yellow);
    xlsStyleHeader->setBackground(Color::Black);
    xlsStyleHeader->setBorderColors(Color::Gray, Color::Gray, Color::Gray, Color::Gray);
    xlsStyleHeader->setBorderStyles(Border::BORDER_MEDIUM, Border::BORDER_MEDIUM, 
        Border::BORDER_MEDIUM, Border::BORDER_MEDIUM);
    xlsStyleHeader->setHorizontalAlignment(Alignment::ALIGNMENT_CENTER);
    xlsStyleHeader->setVerticalAlignment(Alignment::ALIGNMENT_BOTTOM);
    xlsStyleHeader->setWrap(true);
    xlsStyleHeader->setDataType(DataType::STRING);

    // Add data in cells for report header
    for (int column=0; column<5; column++)
    {
        xlsFirstTable->easy_getCell(0,column)->setValue(String::Concat("Column ",(column + 1).ToString()));
        xlsFirstTable->easy_getCell(0,column)->setStyle(xlsStyleHeader);

        // Add comment for report header cells
        xlsFirstTable->easy_getCell(0, column)->setComment(
            String::Concat("This is column no ",(column + 1).ToString()));
    }
    xlsFirstTable->easy_getRowAt(0)->setHeight(30);

    // Add data in cells for report values
    for (int row=0; row<100; row++)
    {
        for (int column=0; column<5; column++)
        {
            xlsFirstTable->easy_getCell(row+1,column)->setValue(
                String::Concat("Data ", (row + 1).ToString(), ", ", (column + 1).ToString()));
        }
    }

    // Create a formatting style for cells
    ExcelStyle ^xlsStyleData = gcnew ExcelStyle();
    xlsStyleData->setHorizontalAlignment(Alignment::ALIGNMENT_LEFT);
    xlsStyleData->setForeground(Color::DarkGray);
    xlsStyleData->setWrap(false);
    xlsStyleData->setDataType(DataType::STRING);
    // Protect cells
    xlsStyleData->setLocked(true);
    xlsFirstTable->easy_setRangeStyle("A2:E101", xlsStyleData);

    // Set column widths
    xlsFirstTable->setColumnWidth(0, 70);
    xlsFirstTable->setColumnWidth(1, 100);
    xlsFirstTable->setColumnWidth(2, 70);
    xlsFirstTable->setColumnWidth(3, 100);
    xlsFirstTable->setColumnWidth(4, 70);

    // Add header on center section
    xlsFirstTab->easy_getHeaderAt(Header::POSITION_CENTER)->InsertSingleUnderline();
    xlsFirstTab->easy_getHeaderAt(Header::POSITION_CENTER)->InsertFile();
    xlsFirstTab->easy_getHeaderAt(Header::POSITION_CENTER)->InsertValue(" - How to create header and footer");

    // Add header on right section
    xlsFirstTab->easy_getHeaderAt(Header::POSITION_RIGHT)->InsertDate();
    xlsFirstTab->easy_getHeaderAt(Header::POSITION_RIGHT)->InsertValue(" ");
    xlsFirstTab->easy_getHeaderAt(Header::POSITION_RIGHT)->InsertTime();

    // Add footer on center section
    xlsFirstTab->easy_getFooterAt(Footer::POSITION_CENTER)->InsertPage();
    xlsFirstTab->easy_getFooterAt(Footer::POSITION_CENTER)->InsertValue(" of ");
    xlsFirstTab->easy_getFooterAt(Footer::POSITION_CENTER)->InsertPages();

    // Get the object that stores the page setup options for the first sheet
    ExcelPageSetup ^xlsPageSetup = xlsFirstTab->easy_getPageSetup();
    // Set print area
    xlsPageSetup->easy_setPrintArea("A1:E101");
    // Set the rows to repeat at top
    xlsPageSetup->easy_setRowsToRepeatAtTop("$1:$1");
    // Set center on page option
    xlsPageSetup->setCenterHorizontally(true);
    // Set page orientation
    xlsPageSetup->setOrientation(PageSetup::ORIENTATION_PORTRAIT);
    // Set page order
    xlsPageSetup->setPageOrder(PageSetup::PAGE_ORDER_DOWN_THEN_OVER);
    // Set paper size
    xlsPageSetup->setPaperSize(PageSetup::PAPER_SIZE_A4);
    // Set where the comments to be printed
    xlsPageSetup->setPrintComments(PageSetup::COMMENTS_AT_END_OF_SHEET);
    // Set the gridlines to be printed
    xlsPageSetup->setPrintGridlines(true);
    
    // Insert page breaks on rows
    xlsFirstTable->easy_insertPageBreakAtRow(21);
    xlsFirstTable->easy_insertPageBreakAtRow(41);
    xlsFirstTable->easy_insertPageBreakAtRow(61);
    xlsFirstTable->easy_insertPageBreakAtRow(81);
    
    // Set page break preview for the sheet
    xlsFirstTab->setPageBreakPreview(true);

    // Export Excel file
    Console::WriteLine("Writing file C:\\Samples\\Tutorial09 - Excel page setup.xlsx.");
    workbook->easy_WriteXLSXFile("C:\\Samples\\Tutorial09 - Excel page setup.xlsx");

    // Confirm export of Excel file
    String ^sError = workbook->easy_getError();
    if (sError->Equals(""))
        Console::Write("\nFile successfully created. Press Enter to Exit...");
    else
        Console::Write(String::Concat("\nError encountered: ", sError, "\nPress Enter to Exit..."));

    // Dispose memory
    delete workbook;

    Console::ReadLine();

    return 0;
}

EasyXLS Excel libraries:

.NET
Excel Library for C++
full COM+ version to import, export or convert Excel files
Excel Writer for C++
COM+ version to create and export 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