EasyXLS

How to read XLS file in C++

EasyXLS Excel library can be used to import 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 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).
 * ------------------------------------------------------------------------ */

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

int main()
{
    printf("Tutorial 37\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 reads Excel files
        EasyXLS::IExcelDocumentPtr workbook;
        hr = CoCreateInstance(__uuidof(EasyXLS::ExcelDocument),
                              NULL,
                              CLSCTX_ALL,
                              __uuidof(EasyXLS::IExcelDocument),
                              (void**) &workbook) ;

        if (SUCCEEDED(hr)){

            // Read XLS file
            printf("\nReading file: C:\\Samples\\Tutorial28.xls\n");
            if (workbook->easy_LoadXLSFile("C:\\Samples\\Tutorial28.xls"))
            {
                // Get the table of data for the second worksheet
                EasyXLS::IExcelWorksheetPtr xlsSecondTab =
                        (EasyXLS::IExcelWorksheetPtr)workbook->easy_getSheet("Second tab");
                EasyXLS::IExcelTablePtr xlsSecondTable = xlsSecondTab->easy_getExcelTable();

                // Write some data to the second sheet
                xlsSecondTable->easy_getCell_2("A1")->setValue("Data added by Tutorial37");

                char* cellValue = (char*)malloc(11*sizeof(char));
                char* columnNumber = (char*)malloc(sizeof(char));
                for (int column=0; column<5; column++)
                {
                    strcpy_s(cellValue, 6, "Data ");
                    _itoa_s(column+ 1, columnNumber, 2, 10);
                    strcat_s(cellValue, 10, columnNumber);
                    xlsSecondTable->easy_getCell(1, column)->setValue(cellValue);
                }

                // Export the new XLS file
                printf("Writing file C:\\Samples\\Tutorial37 - read XLS file.xls.");
                workbook->easy_WriteXLSFile("C:\\Samples\\Tutorial37 - read XLS file.xls");

                // 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);
                }
            }
            else
            {
                printf("\nError reading file C:\\Samples\\Tutorial28.xls %s\n",
                            (LPCSTR)((_bstr_t)workbook->easy_getError()));
            }

            // 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 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++.NET (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 namespace System;
using namespace EasyXLS;
using namespace System::Data;
using namespace System::IO;

int main()
{
    Console::WriteLine("Tutorial 37\n----------\n");

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

    // Read XLS file
    Console::WriteLine("Reading file C:\\Samples\\Tutorial28.xls.\n");
    if (workbook->easy_LoadXLSFile("C:\\Samples\\Tutorial28.xls"))
    {
        // Get the table of data for the second worksheet
        ExcelWorksheet ^xlsSecondTab = safe_cast<ExcelWorksheet^>(workbook->easy_getSheetAt(1));
        ExcelTable ^xlsSecondTable = xlsSecondTab->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(String::Concat("Data ", (column + 1).ToString()));
        }

        // Export the new XLS file
        Console::WriteLine("Writing 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. Press Enter to Exit...");
        else
            Console::Write(String::Concat("\nError encountered: ", sError, "\nPress Enter to Exit..."));
    }
    else
    {
        Console::WriteLine(String::Concat("\nError reading file C:\\Samples\\Tutorial28.xls \n", 
            workbook->easy_getError(), "\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 Reader for C++
COM+ version to read and import Excel files
Download EasyXLS™ Excel Library for C++

File formats:

Office 365
MS Excel 2021 - 2024
MS Excel 2007 - 2019
MS Excel 97 - 2003
XLSXXLSMXLSBXLS
XMLHTMLCSVTXT