--- title: Data Export sidebar_position: 5 --- import current from '/version.js'; import Tabs from '@theme/Tabs'; import TabItem from '@theme/TabItem'; import CodeBlock from '@theme/CodeBlock'; :::tip pass The ["Export Tutorial"](/docs/getting-started/examples/export) is a gentle introduction to data processing and export. ::: ## Writing Workbooks ### API _Generate spreadsheet bytes (file) from data_ ```js var data = XLSX.write(workbook, opts); ``` The `write` method attempts to package data from the workbook into a file in memory. By default, XLSX files are generated, but that can be controlled with the `bookType` property of the `opts` argument. Based on the `type` option, the data can be stored as a "binary string", JS string, `Uint8Array` or Buffer. The second `opts` argument is required. ["Writing Options"](/docs/api/write-options) covers the supported properties and behaviors. _Generate and attempt to save file_ ```js XLSX.writeFile(workbook, filename, opts); ``` The `writeFile` method packages the data and attempts to save the new file. The export file format is determined by the extension of `filename` (`SheetJS.xlsx` signals XLSX export, `SheetJS.xlsb` signals XLSB export, etc). The second `opts` argument is optional. ["Writing Options"](/docs/api/write-options) covers the supported properties and behaviors. _Generate and attempt to save an XLSX file_ ```js XLSX.writeFileXLSX(workbook, filename, opts); ``` The `writeFile` method embeds a number of different export functions. This is great for developer experience but not amenable to tree shaking using the current developer tools. When only XLSX exports are needed, this method avoids referencing the other export functions. The second `opts` argument is optional. ["Writing Options"](/docs/api/write-options) covers the supported properties and behaviors. :::note pass The `writeFile` and `writeFileXLSX` methods uses platform-specific APIs to save files. The APIs do not generally provide feedback on whether files were created. ::: #### Examples Here are a few common scenarios (click on each subtitle to see the code). The [demos](/docs/demos) cover special deployments in more detail. ### Example: Local File `XLSX.writeFile` supports writing local files in platforms like NodeJS. In other platforms like React Native, `XLSX.write` should be called with file data. `XLSX.writeFile` wraps a few techniques for triggering a file save: - `URL` browser API creates an object URL for the file, which the library uses by creating a link and forcing a click. It is supported in modern browsers. - `msSaveBlob` is an IE10+ API for triggering a file save. - `IE_FileSave` uses VBScript and ActiveX to write a file in IE6+ for Windows XP and Windows 7. The shim must be included in the containing HTML page. There is no standard way to determine if the actual file has been downloaded. ```js /* output format determined by filename */ XLSX.writeFile(workbook, "out.xlsb"); /* at this point, out.xlsb will have been downloaded */ ``` :::caution Web Workers None of the file writing APIs work from Web Workers. To generate a file: 1) use `XLSX.write` with type `array` to generate a `Uint8Array`: ```js // in the web worker, generate the XLSX file as a Uint8Array const u8 = XLSX.write(workbook, { type: "array", bookType: "xlsx" }); ``` 2) send the data back to the main thread: ```js // in the web worker, send the generated data back to the main thread postMessage({t: "export", v: u8 }); ``` 3) from the main thread, add an event listener to write to file: ```js // in the main page worker.addEventListener('message', function(e) { if(e && e.data && e.data.t == "export") { e.stopPropagation(); e.preventDefault(); // data will be the Uint8Array from the worker const data = e.data.v; var blob = new Blob([data], {type:"application/octet-stream"}); var url = URL.createObjectURL(blob); var a = document.createElement("a"); a.download = "SheetJSXPort.xlsx"; a.href = url; document.body.appendChild(a); a.click(); } }); ``` :::
SWF workaround for Windows 95+ (click to show) :::warning pass Each moving part in this solution has been deprecated years ago: - Adobe stopped supporting Flash Player at the end of 2020 - Microsoft stopped supporting IE8 in 2019 and stopped supporting IE9 in 2020 - `Downloadify` support ended in 2010 and `SWFObject` support ended in 2016 New projects should strongly consider requiring modern browsers. This info is provided on an "as is" basis and there is no realistic way to provide support given that every related vendor stopped providing support for their software. ::: `XLSX.writeFile` techniques work for most modern browsers as well as older IE. For much older browsers, there are workarounds implemented by wrapper libraries. [`Downloadify`](/docs/demos/frontend/legacy#download-strategies) uses a Flash SWF button to generate local files, suitable for environments where ActiveX is unavailable: ```js Downloadify.create(id,{ /* other options are required! read the downloadify docs for more info */ filename: "test.xlsx", data: function() { return XLSX.write(wb, {bookType:"xlsx", type:"base64"}); }, append: false, dataType: "base64" }); ``` The [`oldie` demo](/docs/demos/frontend/legacy#internet-explorer) shows an IE-compatible fallback scenario.
`writeFile` uses `fs.writeFileSync` under the hood: ```js var XLSX = require("xlsx"); /* output format determined by filename */ XLSX.writeFile(workbook, "out.xlsb"); ``` For Node ESM, `fs` must be loaded manually: ```js import * as fs from "fs"; import { writeFile, set_fs } from "xlsx"; set_fs(fs); /* output format determined by filename */ writeFile(workbook, "out.xlsb"); ``` As with Node ESM, `fs` must be loaded manually: ```js import * as fs from "fs"; import { writeFile, set_fs } from "xlsx"; set_fs(fs); /* output format determined by filename */ writeFile(workbook, "out.xlsb"); ``` `writeFile` uses `Deno.writeFileSync` under the hood: {`\ // @deno-types="https://cdn.sheetjs.com/xlsx-${current}/package/types/index.d.ts" import * as XLSX from 'https://cdn.sheetjs.com/xlsx-${current}/package/xlsx.mjs'; \n\ XLSX.writeFile(workbook, "test.xlsx");`} :::note pass Applications writing files must be invoked with the `--allow-write` flag. ::: `writeFile` can be used in the renderer process: ```js /* From the renderer process */ var XLSX = require("xlsx"); XLSX.writeFile(workbook, "out.xlsb"); ``` Electron APIs have changed over time. The [`electron` demo](/docs/demos/desktop/electron) shows a complete example and details the required version-specific settings. [The React Native Demo](/docs/demos/mobile/reactnative#rn-file-plugins) covers tested plugins. `writeFile` wraps the `File` logic in Photoshop and other ExtendScript targets. The specified path should be an absolute path: ```js #include "xlsx.extendscript.js" /* Ask user to select path */ var thisFile = File.saveDialog("Select an output file", "*.xlsx;*.xls"); /* output format determined by filename */ XLSX.writeFile(workbook, thisFile.absoluteURI); ``` The [`extendscript` demo](/docs/demos/extensions/extendscript) includes complete examples for Photoshop and InDesign. The [`headless` demo](/docs/demos/net/headless) includes complete examples of converting HTML TABLE elements to XLSB workbooks using Puppeteer and other headless automation tools. Headless browsers may not have access to the filesystem, so `XLSX.writeFile` may fail. It is strongly recommended to generate the file bytes in the browser context, send the bytes to the automation context, and write from automation. Puppeteer and Playwright are NodeJS modules that support binary strings: ```js /* from the browser context */ var bin = XLSX.write(workbook, { type:"binary", bookType: "xlsb" }); /* from the automation context */ fs.writeFileSync("SheetJSansHead.xlsb", bin, { encoding: "binary" }); ``` PhantomJS `fs.write` supports writing files from the main process. The mode `wb` supports binary strings: ```js /* from the browser context */ var bin = XLSX.write(workbook, { type:"binary", bookType: "xlsb" }); /* from the automation context */ fs.write("SheetJSansHead.xlsb", bin, "wb"); ```
### Example: Server Responses This example focuses on responses to network requests in a server-side platform like NodeJS. While files can be generated in the web browser, server-side file generation allows for exact audit trails and has better mobile user support. :::caution pass Production deployments should use a server framework like ExpressJS. These snippets use low-level APIs for illustration purposes. ::: The `Content-Type` header should be set to `application/vnd.ms-excel` for Excel exports including XLSX. The default `application/octet-stream` can be used, but iOS will not automatically suggest to open files in Numbers or Excel for iOS The `Content-Disposition` header instructs browsers to download the response into a file. The header can also include the desired file name. NodeJS `http.ServerResponse#end` can accept `Buffer` objects. `XLSX.write` with `buffer` type returns `Buffer` objects. ```js /* generate Buffer */ const buf = XLSX.write(wb, { type:"buffer", bookType:"xlsx" }); /* prepare response headers */ res.statusCode = 200; res.setHeader('Content-Disposition', 'attachment; filename="SheetJSNode.xlsx"'); res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/vnd.ms-excel'); res.end(buf); ```
Complete Example (click to show) Install the library with {`\ npm i --save https://cdn.sheetjs.com/xlsx-${current}/xlsx-${current}.tgz`} Save the following script to `node.js` and run with `node node.js`: ```js title="node.js" const http = require('http'); const XLSX = require('xlsx'); const hostname = '127.0.0.1'; const port = 7262; /* fixed sample worksheet */ const wb = XLSX.utils.book_new(); XLSX.utils.book_append_sheet(wb, XLSX.utils.aoa_to_sheet([ ["a","b","c"], [1,2,3] ]), "Sheet1"); const server = http.createServer((req, res) => { const buf = XLSX.write(wb, { type:"buffer", bookType:"xlsx" }); res.statusCode = 200; res.setHeader('Content-Disposition', 'attachment; filename="SheetJSNode.xlsx"'); res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/vnd.ms-excel'); res.end(buf); }); server.listen(port, hostname, () => { console.log(`Server running at http://${hostname}:${port}/`); }); ```
Deno responses are expected to be `Response` objects. `XLSX.write` with `buffer` type returns `Uint8Array` objects that can be used in the `Response`. ```js /* generate Buffer */ const buf = XLSX.write(wb, { type:"buffer", bookType:"xlsx" }); /* return Response */ evt.respondWith(new Response(buf, { status: 200, headers: { "Content-Type": "application/vnd.ms-excel", "Content-Disposition": 'attachment; filename="SheetJSDeno.xlsx"' } })); ```
Complete Example (click to show) Save the following script to `deno.ts` and run with `deno run -A deno.ts`. Open a web browser and access `http://localhost:7262/` to download the workbook. {`\ // @deno-types="https://cdn.sheetjs.com/xlsx-${current}/package/types/index.d.ts" import * as XLSX from 'https://cdn.sheetjs.com/xlsx-${current}/package/xlsx.mjs'; \n\ const wb = XLSX.utils.book_new(); XLSX.utils.book_append_sheet(wb, XLSX.utils.aoa_to_sheet([ ["a","b","c"], [1,2,3] ]), "Sheet1"); \n\ async function doNotAwaitThis(conn: Deno.Conn) { for await (const e of Deno.serveHttp(conn)) e.respondWith(new Response( XLSX.write(wb, {type:"buffer", bookType:"xlsx"}), { status: 200, headers: { "Content-Type": "application/vnd.ms-excel", "Content-Disposition": 'attachment; filename="SheetJSDeno.xlsx"' } } )); } \n\ /* standard Deno web server */ const server = Deno.listen({ port: 7262 }); console.log(\`HTTP webserver running. Access it at: http://localhost:7262/\`); for await (const conn of server) doNotAwaitThis(conn);`}
Bun responses are expected to be `Response` objects. `XLSX.write` with `buffer` type returns `Buffer` objects that can be used in the `Response` constructor. ```js /* generate Buffer */ const buf = XLSX.write(wb, { type:"buffer", bookType:"xlsx" }); /* return Response */ return new Response(buf, { headers: { "Content-Type": "application/vnd.ms-excel", "Content-Disposition": 'attachment; filename="SheetJSBun.xlsx"' } }); ```
Complete Example (click to show)

Download xlsx.mjs. Save the following script to bun.js and run with bun bun.js. Open a web browser and access http://localhost:7262/ to download the exported workbook.

```js title="bun.js" import * as XLSX from "./xlsx.mjs"; /* fixed sample worksheet */ const wb = XLSX.utils.book_new(); XLSX.utils.book_append_sheet(wb, XLSX.utils.aoa_to_sheet([ ["a","b","c"], [1,2,3] ]), "Sheet1"); export default { port: 7262, fetch(request) { /* generate Buffer */ const buf = XLSX.write(wb, {type:"buffer", bookType:"xlsx"}); /* return Response */ return new Response(buf, { headers: { "Content-Type": "application/vnd.ms-excel", "Content-Disposition": 'attachment; filename="SheetJSBun.xlsx"' } }); }, }; ```
### Example: Remote File This example focuses on uploading files ("Ajax" in browser parlance) using APIs like `XMLHttpRequest` and `fetch` as well as third-party libraries. :::caution pass Some platforms like Azure and AWS will attempt to parse POST request bodies as UTF-8 strings before user code can see the data. This will result in corrupt data parsed by the server. There are some workarounds, but the safest approach is to adjust the server process or Lambda function to accept Base64 strings. ::: The [HTTP Uploads demo](/docs/demos/net/upload) includes examples using browser APIs and wrapper libraries. Under normal circumstances, a `Blob` can be generated from the `array` output: ```js /* in this example, send a Blob to the server */ var wbout = XLSX.write(workbook, { bookType: "xlsx", type: "array" }); /* prepare data for POST */ var blob = new Blob([new Uint8Array(wbout)], {type:"application/octet-stream"}); var formdata = new FormData(); formdata.append("file", blob, "test.xlsx"); /* perform POST request */ fetch("/upload", { method: 'POST', body: formdata }); ``` When binary data is not supported, Base64 strings should be passed along. This will require the server to expect and decode the data: ```js /* in this example, send a Base64 string to the server */ var wbout = XLSX.write(workbook, { bookType: "xlsx", type: "base64" }); /* prepare data for POST */ var formdata = new FormData(); formdata.append("file", "test.xlsx"); // <-- server expects `file` to hold name formdata.append("data", wbout); // <-- `data` holds the data encoded in Base64 /* perform POST request */ var req = new XMLHttpRequest(); req.open("POST", "/upload", true); req.send(formdata); ``` `XLSX.write` with `type: "buffer"` will generate a NodeJS `Buffer` which can be used with standard NodeJS approaches for uploading data. NodeJS releases starting from version 18.0 have native support for fetch: ```js const XLSX = require("xlsx"); async function upload_wb(workbook, url, name="test.xlsx", field="file") { const buf = XLSX.write(workbook, { bookType: "xlsx", type: "buffer" }); const blob = new Blob([buf], {type:"application/octet-stream"}); const body = new FormData(); body.append(field, blob, name); /* perform POST request */ return fetch(url, { method: 'POST', body }); } ``` ## Generating JSON and JS Data JSON and JS data tend to represent single worksheets. The utility functions in this section work with single worksheets. The ["Common Spreadsheet Format"](/docs/csf/general) section describes the object structure in more detail. `workbook.SheetNames` is an ordered list of the worksheet names. `workbook.Sheets` is an object whose keys are sheet names and whose values are worksheet objects. The "first worksheet" is stored at `workbook.Sheets[workbook.SheetNames[0]]`. ### API _Create an array of JS objects from a worksheet_ ```js var jsa = XLSX.utils.sheet_to_json(worksheet, opts); ``` _Create an array of arrays of JS values from a worksheet_ ```js var aoa = XLSX.utils.sheet_to_json(worksheet, {...opts, header: 1}); ``` The `sheet_to_json` utility function walks a workbook in row-major order, generating an array of objects. The second `opts` argument controls a number of export decisions including the type of values (JS values or formatted text). The ["Array Output"](/docs/api/utilities/array#array-output) section describes supported options. By default, `sheet_to_json` scans the first row and uses the values as headers. With the `header: 1` option, the function exports an array of arrays of values. #### Examples ### Example: Data Grids [`x-spreadsheet`](/docs/demos/grid/xs) is an interactive data grid for previewing and modifying structured data in the web browser. [`react-data-grid`](/docs/demos/grid/rdg) is a data grid built for React. It uses two properties: `rows` of data objects and `columns` which describe the columns. The grid API can play nice with an array of arrays. This demo starts by fetching a remote file and using `XLSX.read` to extract: ```js import { useEffect, useState } from "react"; import DataGrid from "react-data-grid"; import { read, utils } from "xlsx"; import 'react-data-grid/lib/styles.css'; const url = "https://sheetjs.com/pres.xlsx"; export default function App() { const [columns, setColumns] = useState([]); const [rows, setRows] = useState([]); useEffect(() => {(async () => { const wb = read(await (await fetch(url)).arrayBuffer()); /* use sheet_to_json with header: 1 to generate an array of arrays */ const data = utils.sheet_to_json(wb.Sheets[wb.SheetNames[0]], { header: 1 }); /* see react-data-grid docs to understand the shape of the expected data */ setColumns(data[0].map((r) => ({ key: r, name: r }))); setRows(data.slice(1).map((r) => r.reduce((acc, x, i) => { acc[data[0][i]] = x; return acc; }, {}))); })(); }); return ; } ``` [`vue3-table-lite`](/docs/demos/grid/vtl) is a VueJS 3 data table. ### Example: Data Loading ["TensorFlow.js"](/docs/demos/math/tensorflow) covers strategies for generating typed arrays and tensors from worksheet data.
Populating a database (SQL or no-SQL) (click to show) The [`data` demo](/docs/demos/data/) includes examples of working with databases and query results.
## Generating HTML Tables #### API _Generate HTML Table from Worksheet_ ```js var html = XLSX.utils.sheet_to_html(worksheet); ``` The `sheet_to_html` utility function generates HTML code based on the worksheet data. Each cell in the worksheet is mapped to a `` element. Merged cells in the worksheet are serialized by setting `colspan` and `rowspan` attributes. #### Examples The `sheet_to_html` utility function generates HTML code that can be added to any DOM element by setting the `innerHTML`: ```js var container = document.getElementById("tavolo"); container.innerHTML = XLSX.utils.sheet_to_html(worksheet); ``` Combining with `fetch`, constructing a site from a workbook is straightforward: This example assigns the `innerHTML` of a DIV element: {`\
`}
It is generally recommended to use a React-friendly workflow, but it is possible to generate HTML and use it in React with `dangerouslySetInnerHTML`: ```jsx import * as XLSX from 'xlsx'; function Tabeller(props) { /* the workbook object is the state */ const [workbook, setWorkbook] = React.useState(XLSX.utils.book_new()); /* fetch and update the workbook with an effect */ React.useEffect(() => { (async() => { /* fetch and parse workbook -- see the fetch example for details */ setWorkbook(XLSX.read(await (await fetch("sheetjs.xlsx")).arrayBuffer())); })(); }, []); return workbook.SheetNames.map(name => ( <>

name

)); } ``` The [`react` demo](/docs/demos/frontend/react) includes more React examples. It is generally recommended to use a VueJS-friendly workflow, but it is possible to generate HTML and use it in VueJS with the `v-html` directive: ```jsx import { read, utils } from 'xlsx'; import { reactive } from 'vue'; const S5SComponent = { mounted() { (async() => { /* fetch and parse workbook -- see the fetch example for details */ const workbook = read(await (await fetch("sheetjs.xlsx")).arrayBuffer()); /* loop through the worksheet names in order */ workbook.SheetNames.forEach(name => { /* generate HTML from the corresponding worksheets */ const html = utils.sheet_to_html(workbook.Sheets[name]); /* add to state */ this.wb.wb.push({ name, html }); }); })(); }, /* this state mantra is required for array updates to work */ setup() { return { wb: reactive({ wb: [] }) }; }, template: `

{{ ws.name }}

` }; ``` The [`vuejs` demo](/docs/demos/frontend/vue) includes more React examples.
## Generating Single-Worksheet Snapshots The `sheet_to_*` functions accept a worksheet object. #### API _Generate a CSV from a single worksheet_ ```js var csv = XLSX.utils.sheet_to_csv(worksheet, opts); ``` This snapshot is designed to replicate the "CSV UTF-8 (`.csv`)" output type. ["CSV and Text"](/docs/api/utilities/csv) describes the function and the optional `opts` argument in more detail. _Generate "Text" from a single worksheet_ ```js var txt = XLSX.utils.sheet_to_txt(worksheet, opts); ``` This snapshot is designed to replicate the "UTF-16 Text (`.txt`)" output type. ["CSV and Text"](/docs/api/utilities/csv) describes the function and the optional `opts` argument in more detail. _Generate a list of formulae from a single worksheet_ ```js var fmla = XLSX.utils.sheet_to_formulae(worksheet); ``` This snapshot generates an array of entries representing the embedded formulae. Array formulae are rendered in the form `range=formula` while plain cells are rendered in the form `cell=formula or value`. String literals are prefixed with an apostrophe `'`, consistent with Excel's formula bar display. ["Formulae Output"](/docs/api/utilities/formulae) describes the function in more detail. ## Streaming Write The streaming write functions are available in the `XLSX.stream` object. They take the same arguments as the normal write functions but return a NodeJS Readable Stream. - `XLSX.stream.to_csv` is the streaming version of `XLSX.utils.sheet_to_csv`. - `XLSX.stream.to_html` is the streaming version of `XLSX.utils.sheet_to_html`. - `XLSX.stream.to_json` is the streaming version of `XLSX.utils.sheet_to_json`. Examples are included in ["Large Datasets"](/docs/demos/bigdata/stream#streaming-write)