EasyXLS

How to set chart type, chart area, plot area, X axis, Y axis, series and legend in PHP

EasyXLS Excel library can be used to export Excel files with PHP on Windows, Linux, Mac or other operating systems. The integration vary depending on the operating system or if .NET Framework or Java is chosen:

EasyXLS on Windows using .NET Framework (COM+) with PHP

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 COM+

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

Step 2: Verify if COM and .NET extension is enabled in PHP

Check PHP.ini for [COM_DOT_NET] extension.

Step 3: Verify if EasyXLS is registered

Check if EasyXLS component is present in Component Services.

Step 4: 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 5: Run PHP code that sets various chart properties in Excel file

Execute the following PHP code that creates a cylinder column chart and format the chart area, plot area, chart legend, axis and chart series.

<?php

/*==============================================================
| Tutorial 23
|
| This tutorial shows how to create an Excel file in PHP with a 
| chart and how to set chart type and formatting properties for 
| chart area, plot area, axis, series and legend.
*  =============================================================*/

include("Format.inc");
include("Color.inc");
include("Chart.inc");
include("LineStyleFormat.inc");
include("ShadowFormat.inc");

header("Content-Type: text/html");

echo "Tutorial 23<br>";
echo "----------<br>";

// Create an instance of the class that exports Excel files
$workbook = new COM("EasyXLS.ExcelDocument");

// Create a worksheet
$workbook->easy_addWorksheet_2("SourceData");

// Get the table of data for the worksheet
$xlsTable1 = $workbook->easy_getSheet("SourceData")->easy_getExcelTable();

// Add data in cells for report header
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(0, 0)->setValue("Show Date");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(0, 1)->setValue("Available Places");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(0, 2)->setValue("Available Tickets");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(0, 3)->setValue("Sold Tickets");

// Add data in cells for chart report values
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(1, 0)->setValue("03/13/2005 00:00:00");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(1, 0)->setFormat($FORMAT_FORMAT_DATE);
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(2, 0)->setValue("03/14/2005 00:00:00");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(2, 0)->setFormat($FORMAT_FORMAT_DATE);
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(3, 0)->setValue("03/15/2005 00:00:00");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(3, 0)->setFormat($FORMAT_FORMAT_DATE);
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(4, 0)->setValue("03/16/2005 00:00:00");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(4, 0)->setFormat($FORMAT_FORMAT_DATE);

$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(1, 1)->setValue("10000");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(2, 1)->setValue("5000");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(3, 1)->setValue("8500");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(4, 1)->setValue("1000");

$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(1, 2)->setValue("8000");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(2, 2)->setValue("4000");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(3, 2)->setValue("6000");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(4, 2)->setValue("1000");

$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(1, 3)->setValue("920");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(2, 3)->setValue("1005");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(3, 3)->setValue("342");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(4, 3)->setValue("967");

// Set column widths
$xlsTable1->easy_getColumnAt(0)->setWidth(100);
$xlsTable1->easy_getColumnAt(1)->setWidth(100);
$xlsTable1->easy_getColumnAt(2)->setWidth(100);
$xlsTable1->easy_getColumnAt(3)->setWidth(100);

// Add a chart sheet
echo " ";
$workbook->easy_addChart_5("Chart", "=SourceData!\$A$1:\$D$5", $CHART_SERIES_IN_COLUMNS);

// Get the previously added chart
$xlsChartSheet = $workbook->easy_getSheetAt(1);
$xlsChart = $xlsChartSheet->easy_getExcelChart();

// Set chart type
$xlsChart->easy_setChartType($CHART_CHART_TYPE_CYLINDER_COLUMN);

// Format chart area
$xlsChartArea = $xlsChart->easy_getChartArea();
$xlsChartArea->getLineColorFormat()->setLineColor((int)$COLOR_DARKGRAY);
$xlsChartArea->getLineStyleFormat()->setDashType($LINESTYLEFORMAT_DASH_TYPE_SOLID);
$xlsChartArea->getLineStyleFormat()->setWidth(0.25);

// Format chart plot area
$xlsPlotArea = $xlsChart->easy_getPlotArea();
$xlsPlotArea->getLineColorFormat()->setLineColor((int)$COLOR_DARKGRAY);
$xlsPlotArea->getLineStyleFormat()->setDashType($LINESTYLEFORMAT_DASH_TYPE_SOLID);
$xlsPlotArea->getLineStyleFormat()->setWidth(0.25);

// Format chart legend
$xlsChartLegend = $xlsChart->easy_getLegend();
$xlsChartLegend->getFillFormat()->setBackground((int)$COLOR_LAVENDERBLUSH);
$xlsChartLegend->getFontFormat()->setForeground((int)$COLOR_BLUE);
$xlsChartLegend->getFontFormat()->setItalic(true);
$xlsChartLegend->setKeysArrangementDirection($CHART_KEYS_ARRANGEMENT_DIRECTION_HORIZONTAL);
$xlsChartLegend->setPlacement($CHART_LEGEND_CORNER);
$xlsChartLegend->getShadowFormat()->setShadow($SHADOWFORMAT_OFFSET_DIAGONAL_BOTTOM_RIGHT);

// Format chart X axis
$xlsXAxis = $xlsChart->easy_getCategoryXAxis();
$xlsXAxis->getLineColorFormat()->setLineColor((int)$COLOR_STEELBLUE);
$xlsXAxis->getLineStyleFormat()->setDashType($LINESTYLEFORMAT_DASH_TYPE_DASH_DOT);
$xlsXAxis->getLineStyleFormat()->setWidth(0.25);
$xlsXAxis->getFontFormat()->setForeground((int)$COLOR_RED);

// Format chart Y axis
$xlsYAxis = $xlsChart->easy_getValueYAxis();
$xlsYAxis->getLineColorFormat()->setLineColor((int)$COLOR_STEELBLUE);
$xlsYAxis->getLineStyleFormat()->setDashType($LINESTYLEFORMAT_DASH_TYPE_LONG_DASH);
$xlsYAxis->getLineStyleFormat()->setWidth(0.25);
$xlsYAxis->getFontFormat()->setForeground((int)$COLOR_BLUE);

// Fomat chart series
$xlsChart->easy_getSeriesAt(0)->getFillFormat()->setBackground((int)$COLOR_ROYALBLUE);
$xlsChart->easy_getSeriesAt(1)->getFillFormat()->setBackground((int)$COLOR_YELLOW);
$xlsChart->easy_getSeriesAt(2)->getFillFormat()->setBackground((int)$COLOR_LIGHTGREEN);

// Export Excel file
echo "Writing file: C:\Samples\Tutorial23 - various Excel chart settings.xlsx<br>";
$workbook->easy_WriteXLSXFile("C:\Samples\Tutorial23 - various Excel chart settings.xlsx");

// Confirm export of Excel file
if ($workbook->easy_getError() == "")
    echo "File successfully created.";
else
    echo "Error encountered: " . $workbook->easy_getError();

// Dispose memory
$workbook->Dispose();
$workbook = null;

?>

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 on Linux, Mac, Windows using Java with PHP

If you opt for the Java version of EasyXLS, a similar code as above requires PHP/Java Bridge between PHP and Java.

Step 1: Download EasyXLS Excel Library for Java

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

Download EasyXLS™ Excel Library for Java

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

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: Install PHP/Java Bridge

Download PHP/Java Bridge and follow the PHP/Java Bridge installation guide for directions.

Step 4: Setup EasyXLS library in Tomcat

Copy EasyXLS.jar into Tomcat installation path, lib folder.

Step 5: Run PHP code that sets various chart properties in Excel file

Execute the following PHP code that creates a cylinder column chart and format the chart area, plot area, chart legend, axis and chart series.

<?php require_once("http://localhost:8080/JavaBridge/java/Java.inc");

/*=============================================================
| Tutorial 23
|
| This tutorial shows how to create an Excel file in PHP with a 
| chart and how to set chart type and formatting properties for 
| chart area, plot area, axis, series and legend.
=============================================================*/

include("Format.inc");
include("Color.inc");
include("Chart.inc");
include("LineStyleFormat.inc");
include("ShadowFormat.inc");

header("Content-Type: text/html");
	
echo "Tutorial 23<br>";
echo "----------<br>";
	
// Create an instance of the class that exports Excel files
$workbook = new java("EasyXLS.ExcelDocument");
	
// Create a worksheet
$workbook->easy_addWorksheet("SourceData");
	
// Get the table of data for the worksheet
$xlsTable1 = $workbook->easy_getSheet("SourceData")->easy_getExcelTable();

// Add data in cells for report header
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(0, 0)->setValue("Show Date");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(0, 1)->setValue("Available Places");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(0, 2)->setValue("Available Tickets");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(0, 3)->setValue("Sold Tickets");

// Add data in cells for chart report values
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(1, 0)->setValue("03/13/2005 00:00:00");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(1, 0)->setFormat($FORMAT_FORMAT_DATE);
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(2, 0)->setValue("03/14/2005 00:00:00");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(2, 0)->setFormat($FORMAT_FORMAT_DATE);
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(3, 0)->setValue("03/15/2005 00:00:00");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(3, 0)->setFormat($FORMAT_FORMAT_DATE);
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(4, 0)->setValue("03/16/2005 00:00:00");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(4, 0)->setFormat($FORMAT_FORMAT_DATE);

$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(1, 1)->setValue("10000");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(2, 1)->setValue("5000");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(3, 1)->setValue("8500");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(4, 1)->setValue("1000");

$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(1, 2)->setValue("8000");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(2, 2)->setValue("4000");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(3, 2)->setValue("6000");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(4, 2)->setValue("1000");

$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(1, 3)->setValue("920");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(2, 3)->setValue("1005");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(3, 3)->setValue("342");
$xlsTable1->easy_getCell(4, 3)->setValue("967");

// Set column widths
$xlsTable1->easy_getColumnAt(0)->setWidth(100);
$xlsTable1->easy_getColumnAt(1)->setWidth(100);
$xlsTable1->easy_getColumnAt(2)->setWidth(100);
$xlsTable1->easy_getColumnAt(3)->setWidth(100);

// Add a chart sheet
echo "";
$workbook->easy_addChart("Chart", "=SourceData!\$A$1:\$D$5", $CHART_SERIES_IN_COLUMNS);
	
// Get the previously added chart
$xlsChartSheet = $workbook->easy_getSheetAt(1);
$xlsChart = $xlsChartSheet->easy_getExcelChart();

// Set chart type
$xlsChart->easy_setChartType($CHART_CHART_TYPE_CYLINDER_COLUMN);

// Format chart area
$xlsChartArea = $xlsChart->easy_getChartArea();
$xlsChartArea->getLineColorFormat()->setLineColor(java("java.awt.Color")->DARKGRAY);
$xlsChartArea->getLineStyleFormat()->setDashType($LINESTYLEFORMAT_DASH_TYPE_SOLID);
$xlsChartArea->getLineStyleFormat()->setWidth(0.25);
	
// Format chart plot area
$xlsPlotArea = $xlsChart->easy_getPlotArea();
$xlsPlotArea->getLineColorFormat()->setLineColor(java("java.awt.Color")->DARKGRAY);
$xlsPlotArea->getLineStyleFormat()->setDashType($LINESTYLEFORMAT_DASH_TYPE_SOLID);
$xlsPlotArea->getLineStyleFormat()->setWidth(0.25);

// Format chart legend
$xlsChatLegend = $xlsChart->easy_getLegend();
$xlsChatLegend->getFillFormat()->setBackground(java("java.awt.Color")->PINK);
$xlsChatLegend->getFontFormat()->setForeground(java("java.awt.Color")->BLUE);
$xlsChatLegend->getFontFormat()->setItalic(true);
$xlsChatLegend->setKeysArrangementDirection($CHART_KEYS_ARRANGEMENT_DIRECTION_HORIZONTAL);
$xlsChatLegend->setPlacement($CHART_LEGEND_CORNER);
$xlsChatLegend->getShadowFormat()->setShadow($SHADOWFORMAT_OFFSET_DIAGONAL_BOTTOM_RIGHT);

// Format chart X axis
$xlsXAxis = $xlsChart->easy_getCategoryXAxis();
$xlsXAxis->getLineColorFormat()->setLineColor(java("java.awt.Color")->LIGHTGRAY);
$xlsXAxis->getLineStyleFormat()->setDashType($LINESTYLEFORMAT_DASH_TYPE_DASH_DOT);
$xlsXAxis->getLineStyleFormat()->setWidth(0.25);
$xlsXAxis->getFontFormat()->setForeground(java("java.awt.Color")->RED);

// Format chart Y axis
$xlsYAxis = $xlsChart->easy_getValueYAxis();
$xlsYAxis->getLineColorFormat()->setLineColor(java("java.awt.Color")->LIGHTGRAY);
$xlsYAxis->getLineStyleFormat()->setDashType($LINESTYLEFORMAT_DASH_TYPE_LONG_DASH);
$xlsYAxis->getLineStyleFormat()->setWidth(0.25);
$xlsYAxis->getFontFormat()->setForeground(java("java.awt.Color")->BLUE);

// Fomat chart series
$xlsChart->easy_getSeriesAt(0)->getFillFormat()->setBackground(java("java.awt.Color")->BLUE);
$xlsChart->easy_getSeriesAt(1)->getFillFormat()->setBackground(java("java.awt.Color")->YELLOW);
$xlsChart->easy_getSeriesAt(2)->getFillFormat()->setBackground(java("java.awt.Color")->GREEN);
	
// Export Excel file
echo "Writing file: C:\Samples\Tutorial23 - various Excel chart settings.xlsx<br>";
$workbook->easy_WriteXLSXFile("C:\Samples\Tutorial23 - various Excel chart settings.xlsx");
	
// Confirm export of Excel file
if ($workbook->easy_getError() == "")
    echo "File successfully created.";
else
    echo "Error encountered: " . $workbook->easy_getError();
		
// Dispose memory
$workbook->Dispose();

?>

EasyXLS Excel libraries:

.NET
Excel Library for PHP COM+
full COM+ version to import, export or convert Excel files
Excel Writer for PHP COM+
COM+ version to create and export Excel files
-
Java
Excel Library for PHP Java
full Java version to import, export or convert Excel files
Excel Writer for PHP Java
Java version to create and export Excel files
Download EasyXLS™ Excel Library for PHP

File formats:

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