Bring back the Excel API

Shawn Anderson · April 07, 2015, 06:08:57 PM

I gave up on trying to make consistently working XLS files some time ago, and switched to XML files.
I made a "template" XLSX file, saved it as XML, then used that to write files that can be opened fairly consistently in Excel.
Still, I'd love to have an Excel DLL plug in that worked well with both old and modern versions of Excel, WITHOUT having to have Excel installed. XML does that pretty well.

Michael Meeks · April 08, 2015, 12:15:17 AM

John,

You and maybe a few others might be interested in these format equates used by the PB Excel Demo.
I'm still searching through my files and will post more when I find them.

The zip file contains a single INC file.

Regards

Jean-pierre Leroy · April 08, 2015, 05:03:14 AM

Dear all,

You can try http://libxl.com

With the latest version they provide headers (.inc) for PowerBASIC.

Regards,
Jean-Pierre

Michael Meeks · April 08, 2015, 11:56:00 AM

Jean-pierre Leroy,

I downloaded the files - but no PowerBasic Include file is included. I am a registered user of that dll.
If you have a copy - please post it.

Thanks

Michael Meeks · April 08, 2015, 08:44:17 PM

ExcelFormats.inc File updated. I had a couple of errors.

Thanks

Petrus Vorster · April 09, 2015, 07:29:56 AM

I have used the .SLL for excel by Paul without a hitch, but the need for some serious Excel output had become a great necessity.
Things like opening a new document in the latest (Office 2013) file format, creating graphs, backgrounds, sized & sorted columns, opening and altering content in existing Excel documents, and so forth would be great.

A DLL would be heaven if one can just make simple calls to make it work. Anyone here done work in that direction?

Jean-pierre Leroy · February 07, 2017, 06:39:25 PM

I've just posted some useful (I think) information about LibXL on the PowerBASIC forum:

https://forum.powerbasic.com/forum/user-to-user-discussions/special-interest-groups/programming-microsoft-office/757750-about-libxl-excel-library-for-developers

Jean-Pierre

Petrus Vorster · February 08, 2017, 04:17:57 PM

After some research into Excel XLXS files it is quite surprising how they assembled it.
This also explains why programmers look for a tool to create it as it is a lot of work.

The XlXS file is nothing more than a ZIP file with different folders inside with lots of XML files for every purpose.
It will be a lot of work to create a tool that can do that with ease hence the smallest developer tools starting at $200.

Probably not going to be easy to DIY for hobbyists.
For now Paul's SLL is just fine.