5 Ways to Create Excel Sheets Using PHP

The ability to generate and manipulate Excel files programmatically has become a crucial skill for developers working with data-intensive applications. Whether you're creating reports, exporting data, or simply automating mundane tasks, PHP offers multiple libraries to interact with Excel. Here, we explore five robust methods to generate Excel sheets using PHP, each catering to different needs and use cases.

1. PHPExcel (Deprecated)

Although PHPExcel has been deprecated in favor of PhpSpreadsheet, it’s worth mentioning for legacy systems or developers with existing codebases:

• Install: Use Composer to install PHPExcel.
• Create Sheet: Use object-oriented approach to add data to cells, format, etc.

Key benefits include:

• User-friendly API
• Rich formatting options

⚠️ Note: PHPExcel has been archived. For new projects, consider using PhpSpreadsheet or other modern alternatives.

2. PhpSpreadsheet

As the spiritual successor to PHPExcel, PhpSpreadsheet is currently the go-to library for working with spreadsheets:

• Install: `composer require phpoffice/phpspreadsheet`
• Usage:

  
  use PhpOffice\PhpSpreadsheet\Spreadsheet;
  use PhpOffice\PhpSpreadsheet\Writer\Xlsx;
  
  $spreadsheet = new Spreadsheet();
  $sheet = $spreadsheet->getActiveSheet();
  $sheet->setCellValue('A1', 'Hello World !');
  
  $writer = new Xlsx($spreadsheet);
  $writer->save('hello_world.xlsx');
  

Highlights include:

• Extensive file format support
• Advanced cell styling and formatting

3. XLSXWriter

For those seeking performance and simplicity, XLSXWriter is a lightweight alternative:

• Install: `composer require wjgilmore/XLSXWriter`
• Create Sheet: Use methods to write data directly.

Advantages:

• Small footprint
• Fast processing

📋 Note: XLSXWriter lacks advanced styling options available in PhpSpreadsheet.

4. Laravel Excel

If you’re developing within the Laravel ecosystem, Laravel Excel simplifies exporting:

• Install: `composer require maatwebsite/excel`
• Usage: Leverage Export classes to push data to Excel.

This package provides:

• Seamless integration with Laravel
• Queue exporting for large data sets

5. PHPWriter

For basic Excel writing without any external dependencies, PHPWriter offers an efficient approach:

• Usage: Directly output XML to generate an XLSX file.

Its benefits:

• No external dependencies
• Performance for simple tasks

🔧 Note: PHPWriter is ideal for projects where dependencies need to be minimized.

In conclusion, creating Excel sheets with PHP involves a variety of options tailored to different needs. From the versatile PhpSpreadsheet to the lightweight XLSXWriter, each method has its strengths. Choosing the right library depends on your project's requirements, like formatting complexity, performance needs, and ease of use. By understanding these libraries, you'll enhance your data manipulation capabilities, making your applications more robust and efficient in handling Excel files.

Why should I use PhpSpreadsheet instead of PHPExcel?

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PhpSpreadsheet offers active development, supports newer Excel features, and has a better maintenance history than the now-deprecated PHPExcel.

Can I use XLSXWriter for complex spreadsheets?

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XLSXWriter is better suited for simple spreadsheets due to its lack of advanced formatting options. For complex needs, consider PhpSpreadsheet.

What’s the main advantage of using Laravel Excel?

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Laravel Excel integrates seamlessly with Laravel’s ecosystem, providing a straightforward API for exporting data with queue processing support.