--- sidebar_position: 9 --- # Utility Functions The `sheet_to_*` functions accept a worksheet and an optional options object. The `*_to_sheet` functions accept a data object and an optional options object. The `sheet_add_*` functions accept worksheet, data, and optional options. The examples are based on the following worksheet:
SheetJS
12 567
23 678
34 789
4567890
## Array of Arrays Input **Create a worksheet from an array of arrays** ```js var ws = XLSX.utils.aoa_to_sheet(aoa, opts); ``` `XLSX.utils.aoa_to_sheet` takes an array of arrays of JS values and returns a worksheet resembling the input data. Values are interpreted as follows: - Numbers, Booleans and Strings are stored as the corresponding types. - Date objects are stored as Date cells or date codes (see `cellDates` option) - Array holes and explicit `undefined` values are skipped. - `null` values may be stubbed (see `sheetStubs` and `nullError` options) - Cell objects are used as-is. The function takes an options argument: | Option Name | Default | Description | | :---------- | :-----: | :--------------------------------------------------- | |`dateNF` | FMT 14 | Use specified date format in string output | |`cellDates` | false | Store dates as type `d` (default is `n`) | |`sheetStubs` | false | Create cell objects of type `z` for `null` values | |`nullError` | false | If true, emit `#NULL!` error cells for `null` values | The example worksheet can be generated with: ```js var ws = XLSX.utils.aoa_to_sheet([ ["S", "h", "e", "e", "t", "J", "S"], [ 1, 2, , , 5, 6, 7], [ 2, 3, , , 6, 7, 8], [ 3, 4, , , 7, 8, 9], [ 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0] ]); ``` **Add data from an array of arrays to an existing worksheet** ```js XLSX.utils.sheet_add_aoa(ws, aoa, opts); ``` `XLSX.utils.sheet_add_aoa` takes an array of arrays of JS values and updates an existing worksheet object. It follows the same process as `aoa_to_sheet` and accepts an options argument: | Option Name | Default | Description | | :---------- | :-----: | :--------------------------------------------------- | |`dateNF` | FMT 14 | Use specified date format in string output | |`cellDates` | false | Store dates as type `d` (default is `n`) | |`sheetStubs` | false | Create cell objects of type `z` for `null` values | |`nullError` | false | If true, emit `#NULL!` error cells for `null` values | |`origin` | | Use specified cell as starting point (see below) | `origin` is expected to be one of: | `origin` | Description | | :--------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------- | | (cell object) | Use specified cell (cell object) | | (string) | Use specified cell (A1-Style cell) | | (number >= 0) | Start from the first column at specified row (0-indexed) | | -1 | Append to bottom of worksheet starting on first column | | (default) | Start from cell `A1` | The example worksheet can be built up in the order `A1:G1, A2:B4, E2:G4, A5:G5`: ```js /* Initial row */ var ws = XLSX.utils.aoa_to_sheet([ "SheetJS".split("") ]); /* Write data starting at A2 */ XLSX.utils.sheet_add_aoa(ws, [[1,2], [2,3], [3,4]], {origin: "A2"}); /* Write data starting at E2 */ XLSX.utils.sheet_add_aoa(ws, [[5,6,7], [6,7,8], [7,8,9]], {origin:{r:1, c:4}}); /* Append row */ XLSX.utils.sheet_add_aoa(ws, [[4,5,6,7,8,9,0]], {origin: -1}); ``` ## Array of Objects Input **Create a worksheet from an array of objects** ```js var ws = XLSX.utils.json_to_sheet(aoo, opts); ``` `XLSX.utils.json_to_sheet` takes an array of objects and returns a worksheet with automatically-generated "headers" based on the keys of the objects. The default column order is determined by the first appearance of the field using `Object.keys`. The function accepts an options argument: | Option Name | Default | Description | | :---------- | :-----: | :--------------------------------------------------- | |`header` | | Use specified field order (default `Object.keys`) ** | |`dateNF` | FMT 14 | Use specified date format in string output | |`cellDates` | false | Store dates as type `d` (default is `n`) | |`skipHeader` | false | If true, do not include header row in output | |`nullError` | false | If true, emit `#NULL!` error cells for `null` values | :::caution All fields from each row will be written! `header` hints at a particular order but is not exclusive. To remove fields from the export, filter the data source. Some data sources have special options to filter properties. For example, MongoDB will add the `_id` field when finding data from a collection: ```js const aoo_with_id = await coll.find({}).toArray(); const ws = XLSX.utils.json_to_sheet(aoo_with_id); // includes _id column ``` This can be filtered out through the `projection` property: ```js const aoo = await coll.find({}, {projection:{_id:0}}).toArray(); // no _id ! const ws = XLSX.utils.json_to_sheet(aoo); ``` If a data source does not provide a filter option, it can be filtered manually: ```js const aoo = data.map(obj => Object.fromEntries(Object.entries(obj).filter(r => headers.indexOf(r[0]) > -1))); ``` ::: - If `header` is an array, missing keys will be added in order of first use. - Cell types are deduced from the type of each value. For example, a `Date` object will generate a Date cell, while a string will generate a Text cell. - Null values will be skipped by default. If `nullError` is true, an error cell corresponding to `#NULL!` will be written to the worksheet. The example sheet cannot be reproduced using plain objects since JS object keys must be unique. After replacing the second `e` and `S` with `e_1` and `S_1`: ```js var ws = XLSX.utils.json_to_sheet([ { S:1, h:2, , , t:5, J:6, S_1:7 }, { S:2, h:3, , , t:6, J:7, S_1:8 } { S:3, h:4, , , t:7, J:8, S_1:9 } { S:4, h:5, e:6, e_1:7, t:8, J:9, S_1:0 } ], {header:["S","h","e","e_1","t","J","S_1"]}); ``` Alternatively, a different set of unique headers can be used with `skipHeader`: ```js var ws = XLSX.utils.json_to_sheet([ { A:"S", B:"h", C:"e", D:"e", E:"t", F:"J", G:"S" }, { A: 1, B: 2, , , E: 5, F: 6, G: 7 }, { A: 2, B: 3, , , E: 6, F: 7, G: 8 } { A: 3, B: 4, , , E: 7, F: 8, G: 9 }, { A: 4, B: 5, C: 6, D: 7, E: 8, F: 9, G: 0 }, ], {header:["A","B","C","D","E","F","G"], skipHeader:true}); ``` **Add data from an array of objects to an existing worksheet** ```js XLSX.utils.sheet_add_json(ws, aoo, opts); ``` `XLSX.utils.sheet_add_json` takes an array of objects and updates an existing worksheet object. It follows the same process as `json_to_sheet` and accepts an options argument: | Option Name | Default | Description | | :---------- | :-----: | :--------------------------------------------------- | |`header` | | Use specified column order (default `Object.keys`) | |`dateNF` | FMT 14 | Use specified date format in string output | |`cellDates` | false | Store dates as type `d` (default is `n`) | |`skipHeader` | false | If true, do not include header row in output | |`nullError` | false | If true, emit `#NULL!` error cells for `null` values | |`origin` | | Use specified cell as starting point (see below) | `origin` is expected to be one of: | `origin` | Description | | :--------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------- | | (cell object) | Use specified cell (cell object) | | (string) | Use specified cell (A1-Style cell) | | (number >= 0) | Start from the first column at specified row (0-indexed) | | -1 | Append to bottom of worksheet starting on first column | | (default) | Start from cell `A1` | This example worksheet can be built up in the order `A1:G1, A2:B4, E2:G4, A5:G5`: ```js /* Initial row */ var ws = XLSX.utils.json_to_sheet([ { A: "S", B: "h", C: "e", D: "e", E: "t", F: "J", G: "S" } ], {header: ["A", "B", "C", "D", "E", "F", "G"], skipHeader: true}); /* Write data starting at A2 */ XLSX.utils.sheet_add_json(ws, [ { A: 1, B: 2 }, { A: 2, B: 3 }, { A: 3, B: 4 } ], {skipHeader: true, origin: "A2"}); /* Write data starting at E2 */ XLSX.utils.sheet_add_json(ws, [ { A: 5, B: 6, C: 7 }, { A: 6, B: 7, C: 8 }, { A: 7, B: 8, C: 9 } ], {skipHeader: true, origin: { r: 1, c: 4 }, header: [ "A", "B", "C" ]}); /* Append row */ XLSX.utils.sheet_add_json(ws, [ { A: 4, B: 5, C: 6, D: 7, E: 8, F: 9, G: 0 } ], {header: ["A", "B", "C", "D", "E", "F", "G"], skipHeader: true, origin: -1}); ``` :::note If the `header` option is an array, `sheet_add_json` and `sheet_to_json` will append missing elements. This design enables consistent header order across calls: ```jsx live function SheetJSHeaderOrder() { /* Use shared header */ const header = []; const ws1 = XLSX.utils.json_to_sheet([ {C: 2, D: 3}, ], {header}); XLSX.utils.sheet_add_json(ws1, [ {D: 1, C: 4}, ], {header, origin: -1, skipHeader: true}); /* only use header in first call */ const ws2 = XLSX.utils.json_to_sheet([ {C: 2, D: 3}, ], {header:[]}); XLSX.utils.sheet_add_json(ws2, [ {D: 1, C: 4}, ], {origin: -1, skipHeader: true}); return (
    Objects
    {"\n[\n  { C: 2, D: 3 },\n  { D: 1, C: 4 } // different key order\n]\n"}

    Worksheet when same `header` array is passed to `sheet_add_json`
    

    New contents of `header`

    {JSON.stringify(header)}

    

    Worksheet when no `header` property is passed to `sheet_add_json`
) } ``` ::: ## HTML Table Input **Create a worksheet or workbook from a TABLE element** ```js var ws = XLSX.utils.table_to_sheet(elt, opts); var wb = XLSX.utils.table_to_book(elt, opts); ``` `XLSX.utils.table_to_sheet` takes a table DOM element and returns a worksheet resembling the input table. Numbers are parsed. All other data will be stored as strings. `XLSX.utils.table_to_book` produces a minimal workbook based on the worksheet. Both functions accept options arguments: | Option Name | Default | Description | | :---------- | :------: | :-------------------------------------------------- | |`raw` | | If true, every cell will hold raw strings | |`dateNF` | FMT 14 | Use specified date format in string output | |`cellDates` | false | Store dates as type `d` (default is `n`) | |`sheetRows` | 0 | If >0, read the first `sheetRows` rows of the table | |`display` | false | If true, hidden rows and cells will not be parsed | To generate the example sheet, assuming the table has ID `sheetjs`: ```js var tbl = document.getElementById('sheetjs'); var ws = XLSX.utils.table_to_sheet(tbl); ``` :::note `table_to_book` and `table_to_sheet` act on HTML DOM elements. Starting from an HTML string, there are two parsing approaches: A) Table Phantasm: create a DIV with the desired HTML. ```js /* create element from the source */ var elt = document.createElement("div"); elt.innerHTML = html_source; document.body.appendChild(elt); /* generate worksheet */ var ws = XLSX.utils.table_to_sheet(elt.getElementsByTagName("TABLE")[0]); /* remove element */ document.body.removeChild(elt); ``` B) Raw HTML: use `XLSX.read` to read the text in the same manner as CSV. ```js var wb = XLSX.read(html_source, { type: "string" }); var ws = wb.Sheets[wb.SheetNames[0]]; ``` ::: **Add data from a TABLE element to an existing worksheet** ```js XLSX.utils.sheet_add_dom(ws, elt, opts); ``` `XLSX.utils.sheet_add_dom` takes a table DOM element and updates an existing worksheet object. It follows the same process as `table_to_sheet` and accepts an options argument: | Option Name | Default | Description | | :---------- | :------: | :-------------------------------------------------- | |`raw` | | If true, every cell will hold raw strings | |`dateNF` | FMT 14 | Use specified date format in string output | |`cellDates` | false | Store dates as type `d` (default is `n`) | |`sheetRows` | 0 | If >0, read the first `sheetRows` rows of the table | |`display` | false | If true, hidden rows and cells will not be parsed | `origin` is expected to be one of: | `origin` | Description | | :--------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------- | | (cell object) | Use specified cell (cell object) | | (string) | Use specified cell (A1-Style cell) | | (number >= 0) | Start from the first column at specified row (0-indexed) | | -1 | Append to bottom of worksheet starting on first column | | (default) | Start from cell `A1` | A common use case for `sheet_add_dom` involves adding multiple tables to a single worksheet, usually with a few blank rows in between each table: ![Multi-Table Export in Excel](pathname:///files/multitable.png) ```jsx live function MultiTable() { const headers = ["Table 1", "Table2", "Table 3"]; /* Callback invoked when the button is clicked */ const xport = React.useCallback(async () => { /* This function creates gap rows */ function create_gap_rows(ws, nrows) { var ref = XLSX.utils.decode_range(ws["!ref"]); // get original range ref.e.r += nrows; // add to ending row ws["!ref"] = XLSX.utils.encode_range(ref); // reassign row } /* first table */ const ws = XLSX.utils.aoa_to_sheet([[headers[0]]]); XLSX.utils.sheet_add_dom(ws, document.getElementById('table1'), {origin: -1}); create_gap_rows(ws, 1); // one row gap after first table /* second table */ XLSX.utils.sheet_add_aoa(ws, [[headers[1]]], {origin: -1}); XLSX.utils.sheet_add_dom(ws, document.getElementById('table2'), {origin: -1}); create_gap_rows(ws, 2); // two rows gap after second table /* third table */ XLSX.utils.sheet_add_aoa(ws, [[headers[2]]], {origin: -1}); XLSX.utils.sheet_add_dom(ws, document.getElementById('table3'), {origin: -1}); /* create workbook and export */ const wb = XLSX.utils.book_new(); XLSX.utils.book_append_sheet(wb, ws, "Export"); XLSX.writeFile(wb, "SheetJSMultiTablexport.xlsx"); }); return ( <>

{headers[0]}
A2B2
A3B3
{headers[1]}
A6B6C6
A7B7C7

{headers[2]}
A11B11
A12B12
); } ``` ### Value Override When the `raw: true` option is specified, the parser will generate text cells. When the option is not specified or when it is set to false, the parser will try to interpret the text of each TD element. To override the conversion for a specific cell, the following data attributes can be added to the individual TD elements: | Attribute | Description | |:----------|:----------------------------------------------------------| | `data-t` | Override [Cell Type](../csf/cell#data-types) | | `data-v` | Override Cell Value | | `data-z` | Override [Number Format](../csf/features/#number-formats) | For example: ```html 2012-12-03 2012-12-03 2012-12-03 2012-12-03 ``` ## Delimiter-Separated Output ```js var csv = XLSX.utils.sheet_to_csv(ws, opts); ``` As an alternative to the `writeFile` CSV type, `XLSX.utils.sheet_to_csv` also produces CSV output. The function takes an options argument: | Option Name | Default | Description | | :----------- | :------: | :------------------------------------------------- | |`FS` | `","` | "Field Separator" delimiter between fields | |`RS` | `"\n"` | "Record Separator" delimiter between rows | |`dateNF` | FMT 14 | Use specified date format in string output | |`strip` | false | Remove trailing field separators in each record ** | |`blankrows` | true | Include blank lines in the CSV output | |`skipHidden` | false | Skips hidden rows/columns in the CSV output | |`forceQuotes` | false | Force quotes around fields | - `strip` will remove trailing commas from each line under default `FS/RS` - `blankrows` must be set to `false` to skip blank lines. - Fields containing the record or field separator will automatically be wrapped in double quotes; `forceQuotes` forces all cells to be wrapped in quotes. - `XLSX.write` with `csv` type will always prepend the UTF-8 byte-order mark for Excel compatibility. `sheet_to_csv` returns a JS string and omits the mark. Using `XLSX.write` with type `string` will also skip the mark. Starting from the example worksheet: ```jsx live function SheetJSCSVTest() { var ws = XLSX.utils.aoa_to_sheet([ ["S", "h", "e", "e", "t", "J", "S"], [ 1, 2, , , 5, 6, 7], [ 2, 3, , , 6, 7, 8], [ 3, 4, , , 7, 8, 9], [ 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0] ]); return ( 
    Worksheet (as HTML)
    

    XLSX.utils.sheet_to_csv(ws)

    {XLSX.utils.sheet_to_csv(ws)}


    XLSX.utils.sheet_to_csv(ws, {'{'} FS: "\t" {'}'})

    {XLSX.utils.sheet_to_csv(ws, { FS: "\t" })}


    XLSX.utils.sheet_to_csv(ws, {'{'} FS: ":", RS: "|" {'}'})

    {XLSX.utils.sheet_to_csv(ws, { FS: ":", RS: "|" })}
); } ``` **UTF-16 Text Output** ```js var txt = XLSX.utils.sheet_to_txt(ws, opts); ``` The `txt` output type uses the tab character as the field separator. If the `codepage` library is available (included in full distribution but not core), the output will be encoded in `CP1200` and the UTF-16 BOM will be added. `XLSX.utils.sheet_to_txt` takes the same arguments as `sheet_to_csv`. ## HTML Output ```js var html = XLSX.utils.sheet_to_html(ws, opts); ``` As an alternative to the `writeFile` HTML type, `XLSX.utils.sheet_to_html` also produces HTML output. The function takes an options argument: | Option Name | Default | Description | | :---------- | :------: | :-------------------------------------------------- | |`id` | | Specify the `id` attribute for the `TABLE` element | |`editable` | false | If true, set `contenteditable="true"` for every TD | |`header` | | Override header (default `html body`) | |`footer` | | Override footer (default `/body /html`) | Starting from the example worksheet: ```jsx live function SheetJSHTML() { var ws = XLSX.utils.aoa_to_sheet([ ["S", "h", "e", "e", "t", "J", "S"], [ 1, 2, , , 5, 6, 7], [ 2, 3, , , 6, 7, 8], [ 3, 4, , , 7, 8, 9], [ 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0] ]); return ( 
    XLSX.utils.sheet_to_html(ws)
); } ``` ## Array Output ```js var arr = XLSX.utils.sheet_to_json(ws, opts); var aoa = XLSX.utils.sheet_to_json(ws, {header: 1, ...other_opts}); ``` `XLSX.utils.sheet_to_json` generates different types of JS objects. The function takes an options argument: | Option Name | Default | Description | | :---------- | :------: | :-------------------------------------------------- | |`raw` | `true` | Use raw values (true) or formatted strings (false) | |`range` | ** | Override Range (see table below) | |`header` | | Control output format (see table below) | |`dateNF` | FMT 14 | Use specified date format in string output | |`defval` | | Use specified value in place of null or undefined | |`blankrows` | ** | Include blank lines in the output ** | - `raw` only affects cells which have a format code (`.z`) field or a formatted text (`.w`) field. - If `header` is specified, the first row is considered a data row; if `header` is not specified, the first row is the header row and not considered data. - When `header` is not specified, the conversion will automatically disambiguate header entries by affixing `_` and a count starting at `1`. For example, if three columns have header `foo` the output fields are `foo`, `foo_1`, `foo_2` - `null` values are returned when `raw` is true but are skipped when false. - If `defval` is not specified, null and undefined values are skipped normally. If specified, all null and undefined points will be filled with `defval` - When `header` is `1`, the default is to generate blank rows. `blankrows` must be set to `false` to skip blank rows. - When `header` is not `1`, the default is to skip blank rows. `blankrows` must be true to generate blank rows `range` is expected to be one of: | `range` | Description | | :--------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------- | | (number) | Use worksheet range but set starting row to the value | | (string) | Use specified range (A1-Style bounded range string) | | (default) | Use worksheet range (`ws['!ref']`) | `header` is expected to be one of: | `header` | Description | | :--------------- | :-------------------------------------------------------- | | `1` | Generate an array of arrays | | `"A"` | Row object keys are literal column labels | | array of strings | Use specified strings as keys in row objects | | (default) | Read and disambiguate first row as keys | - If header is not `1`, the row object will contain the non-enumerable property `__rowNum__` that represents the row of the sheet corresponding to the entry. - If header is an array, the keys will not be disambiguated. This can lead to unexpected results if the array values are not unique! For the example worksheet: ```jsx live function SheetJSToJSON() { /* original data */ var ws = XLSX.utils.aoa_to_sheet([ ["S", "h", "e", "e", "t", "J", "S"], [ 1, 2, , , 5, 6, 7], [ 2, 3, , , 6, 7, 8], [ 3, 4, , , 7, 8, 9], [ 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 0] ]); /* display JS objects with some whitespace */ const aoo = o => o.map(r => " " + JSON.stringify(r).replace(/,"/g, ', "').replace(/:/g, ": ").replace(/"([A-Za-z_]\w*)":/g, '$1:')).join("\n"); const aoa = o => o.map(r => " " + JSON.stringify(r).replace(/,/g, ', ').replace(/null/g, "")).join("\n"); return ( 
    Worksheet (as HTML)
    

    XLSX.utils.sheet_to_json(ws, {'{'} header: 1 {'}'}) [array of arrays]

    [
{aoa(XLSX.utils.sheet_to_json(ws, { header: 1 }))}
]


    XLSX.utils.sheet_to_json(ws) [objects with header disambiguation]

    [
{aoo(XLSX.utils.sheet_to_json(ws))}
]


    XLSX.utils.sheet_to_json(ws, {'{'} header: "A" {'}'}) [column names as keys]

    [
{aoo(XLSX.utils.sheet_to_json(ws, { header: "A" }))}
]


    XLSX.utils.sheet_to_json(ws, {'{'} header: ["A","E","I","O","U","6","9"] {'}'})

    [
{aoo(XLSX.utils.sheet_to_json(ws, { header: ["A","E","I","O","U","6","9"] }))}
]
); } ``` ## Formulae Output ```js var fmla_arr = XLSX.utils.sheet_to_formulae(ws); ``` `XLSX.utils.sheet_to_formulae` generates an array of commands that represent how a person would enter data into an application. Cells without formulae are written as `A1-cell-address=value`: ``` A1=1 // A1 is the numeric value 1 B1=TRUE // B1 is the logical value TRUE ``` String literals are prefixed with a `'` in accordance with Excel: ``` A5='A4+A3 // A5 is the string "A4+A3" ``` Cells with formulae are written as `A1-cell-address=formula`: ``` A5=A4+A3 // A5 is a cell with formula =A4+A3 ``` Array formulae are written as `A1-range=formula`. They do not include the displayed curly braces: ``` A4:B4=A2:B2*A3:B3 // A4:B4 array formula {=A2:B2*A3:B3} ``` Single-cell array formulae are written with single-cell ranges: ``` C4:C4=SUM(A2:A3*B2:B3) // C4 array formula {=SUM(A2:A3*B2:B3)} ``` ```jsx live function SheetJSToJSON() { var ws = XLSX.utils.aoa_to_sheet([ ["A", "B", "C"], [1, 2, { t: "n", f: "SUM(A2:B2)" }], [3, 4, { t: "n", f: "A3+B3" }] ]); XLSX.utils.sheet_set_array_formula(ws, "A4:B4", "A2:B2*A3:B3"); XLSX.utils.sheet_set_array_formula(ws, "C4", "SUM(A2:A3*B2:B3)"); var __html = `\ Values [ ["A", "B", "C"], [1, 2], [3, 4] ] Formulae C2 =SUM(A2:B2) C3 =A3+B3 Array Formulae A4:B4 {=A2:B2*A3:B3} C4 {=SUM(A2:A3*B2:B3)} `; return ( 
    Original worksheet
    

    XLSX.utils.sheet_to_formulae(ws).join("\n")

    
{XLSX.utils.sheet_to_formulae(ws).join("\n")}
); } ```