EasyXLS

How to group rows or columns in VB.NET

EasyXLS Excel library can be used to export Excel files in VB.NET. 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 VB.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: Create a VB.NET 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 VB.NET code that groups data in Excel sheet

Execute the following VB.NET code that groups data on the first sheet of an Excel file on two outline levels.

'--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
' Tutorial 17
'
' This tutorial shows how to create an Excel file with groups on rows in VB.NET.
' The Excel file has two worksheets. The first one is full with data and contains
' the data groups.
'--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Imports EasyXLS
Imports EasyXLS.Constants

Module Tutorial17

    Sub Main()

        Console.WriteLine("Tutorial 17" & vbCrLf & "----------" & vbCrLf)

        ' Create an instance of the class that exports Excel files having two sheets
        Dim workbook As New ExcelDocument(2)

        ' Set the sheet names
        workbook.easy_getSheetAt(0).setSheetName("First tab")
        workbook.easy_getSheetAt(1).setSheetName("Second tab")

        ' Get the table of data for the first worksheet
        Dim xlsFirstTab As ExcelWorksheet = workbook.easy_getSheetAt(0)
        Dim xlsFirstTable = xlsFirstTab.easy_getExcelTable()

        ' Add data in cells for report header
        For column As Integer = 0 To 4
            xlsFirstTable.easy_getCell(0, column).setValue("Column " & (column + 1))
            xlsFirstTable.easy_getCell(0, column).setDataType(DataType.STRING)
        Next
        xlsFirstTable.easy_getRowAt(0).setHeight(30)

        ' Add data in cells for report values
        For row As Integer = 0 To 24
            For column As Integer = 0 To 4
                xlsFirstTable.easy_getCell(row + 1, column).setValue("Data " & (row + 1) & ", " & (column + 1))
                xlsFirstTable.easy_getCell(row + 1, column).setDataType(DataType.STRING)
            Next
        Next

        ' Set column widths
        xlsFirstTable.setColumnWidth(0, 70)
        xlsFirstTable.setColumnWidth(1, 100)
        xlsFirstTable.setColumnWidth(2, 70)
        xlsFirstTable.setColumnWidth(3, 100)
        xlsFirstTable.setColumnWidth(4, 70)


        ' Group rows and format A1:E26 cell range
        Dim xlsFirstDataGroup As New ExcelDataGroup("A1:E26", DataGroup.GROUP_BY_ROWS, False)
        xlsFirstDataGroup.setAutoFormat(New ExcelAutoFormat(EasyXLS.Constants.Styles.AUTOFORMAT_EASYXLS1))
        xlsFirstTab.easy_addDataGroup(xlsFirstDataGroup)

        ' Group rows and format A2:E10 cell range, outline level two, inside previous group
        Dim xlsSecondDataGroup As New ExcelDataGroup("A2:E10", DataGroup.GROUP_BY_ROWS, False)
        xlsSecondDataGroup.setAutoFormat(New ExcelAutoFormat(EasyXLS.Constants.Styles.AUTOFORMAT_EASYXLS2))
        xlsFirstTab.easy_addDataGroup(xlsSecondDataGroup)

        ' Export Excel file
        Console.WriteLine("Writing file C:\Samples\Tutorial17 - group data in Excel.xlsx.")
        workbook.easy_WriteXLSXFile("C:\Samples\Tutorial17 - group data in Excel.xlsx")

        ' Confirm export of Excel file
        Dim sError As String = workbook.easy_getError()
        If (sError.Equals("")) Then
            Console.Write(vbCrLf & "File successfully created. Press Enter to Exit...")
        Else
            Console.Write(vbCrLf & "Error encountered: " & sError & vbCrLf & "Press Enter to Exit...")
        End If
        
        ' Dispose memory
        workbook.Dispose()
        
        Console.ReadLine()
    End Sub

End Module

EasyXLS Excel libraries:

.NET
Excel Library for VB.NET
full .NET version to import, export or convert Excel files
Excel Writer for VB.NET
.NET version to create and export Excel files
Download EasyXLS™ Excel Library for VB.NET

File formats:

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