EasyXLS

How to read XLS file in VB.NET

EasyXLS Excel library can be used to import 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 reads XLS file

Execute the following VB.NET code that imports an XLS file.

'----------------------------------------------------------------------------
' Tutorial 37
'
' This tutorial shows how to read an Excel XLS file in VB.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).
'----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Imports EasyXLS
Imports System.IO

Module Tutorial37

    Sub Main()

        Console.WriteLine("Tutorial 37" & vbCrLf & "----------" & vbCrLf)
		
        ' Create an instance of the class that reads Excel files
        Dim workbook As New ExcelDocument

        ' Read XLS file
        Console.WriteLine("Reading file C:\Samples\Tutorial28.xls." & vbCrLf)
        If (workbook.easy_LoadXLSFile("C:\Samples\Tutorial28.xls")) Then

            ' Get the table of data for the second worksheet
            Dim xlsSecondTab As ExcelWorksheet = workbook.easy_getSheet("Second tab")
            Dim xlsSecondTable = xlsSecondTab.easy_getExcelTable

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

            For column As Integer = 0 To 4
                xlsSecondTable.easy_getCell(1, column).setValue("Data " & (column + 1))
            Next

            ' Export the new XLS file
            Console.WriteLine(vbCrLf & "Writing file C:\Samples\Tutorial37 - read XLS file.xls.")
            workbook.easy_WriteXLSFile("C:\Samples\Tutorial37 - read XLS file.xls")

            ' Confirm export of Excel file
            Dim sError As String = workbook.easy_getError()
            If (sError.Equals("")) Then
                Console.Write(vbCrLf & "File successfully created.")
            Else
                Console.Write(vbCrLf & "Error encountered: " & sError)
            End If
            
        Else
            Console.WriteLine(vbCrLf & "Error reading file C:\Samples\Tutorial28.xls " & _
                              vbCrLf & workbook.easy_getError())
        End If

        ' Dispose memory
        workbook.Dispose()

        Console.WriteLine(vbCrLf & "Press Enter to Exit...")
        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 Reader for VB.NET
.NET version to read and import Excel files
Download EasyXLS™ Excel Library for VB.NET

File formats:

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