Excel (XLSX / XLS) Document Processing

Overview

Create, edit, and convert Excel (.xlsx, .xls) files using the Syncfusion Excel Library. This skill supports two operational modes — generating C# code for the user's project or executing tasks directly through a CSX script.

Key Capabilities

• Create & Edit: Workbooks, worksheets, cells, rows, columns, cell formatting, styles, formulas, names ranges, charts, shapes, images, hyperlinks, comments, data validation, conditional formatting
• Advanced Features: Template markers and mail merge, data binding (DataTable, collections, objects), pivot tables, pivot charts, slicers, auto-fill, fill series, what-if analysis scenarios, custom XML, drawing objects (text boxes, checkboxes, shapes), VBA macros
• Data Management: Import data (CSV, DataTable, collections, nested objects, XML, HTML tables), export data (ranges, tables, named ranges), find/replace with regex, advanced filtering (top10, custom, color, icon filters), freeze panes, show/hide rows/columns/sheets
• Conversion: Excel to PDF, Excel to JSON, Excel to CSV (import/export)
• Security: Password encryption/decryption, document protection, permission settings
• Page Setup: Margins, headers/footers, print areas

Prerequisites

• .NET SDK 8+ and dotnet-script: dotnet tool install -g dotnet-script
• Syncfusion License: https://www.syncfusion.com/products/communitylicense

Quick Start Examples

Example 1: Generate Code (Mode 1)

User: "Show me how to create an Excel workbook with a table" Result: C# code snippet displayed (no files created)

Example 2: Execute Task (Mode 2)

User: "Create an Excel spreadsheet with sales data at output/report.xlsx" Result: Physical file created at specified path

Two Modes — Choose Based on User Intent

Before choosing a mode, infer what the user wants to accomplish:

Mode 1: Generate C# Code for the User's Project (default)

Use this mode when the user wants to view, write, review, refactor, or modify C# code related to Excel processing.

Trigger keywords: "code", "snippet", "how to write", "Program.cs", "show me", "sample", "example code", "generate code for", "NuGet", "add to project", "integrate", "implementation", "usage example", "API example", "learn", "teach", "how do I", "I want to", "I need to", "help me implement", "library", "package", "ASP.NET", "Blazor", "WPF", "WinForms", "MAUI", "console app", "sort", "sorting", "sorted", "chart to image", "export chart", "chart as image", "hyperlink", "link", "links", "find replace", "replace", "filter", "filtering", "pivot", "template", "marker", "formula", "function".

Workflow:

Step 1 — Detect the Application Type and Suggest the Correct NuGet Package(s)

• Inspect the workspace project files (.csproj, web.config, App.config, Startup.cs, Program.cs, etc.) and use the detection signals table in references/nuget-packages.md to identify the application type.

• Look up the correct package(s) from references/nuget-packages.md based on the detected app type and tell the user to install them before generating any code.

Step 2 — Generate Code from Reference Files Only

Do NOT invent, guess, or suggest any API, method, property, class, or namespace not explicitly present in the reference files.

• Read the relevant references/*.md file(s) for the requested feature
• Build C# code strictly from the APIs and snippets found in those files
• Select the correct snippet variant based on the app type detected in Step 1:
  • Windows-specific apps (WinForms, WPF, .NET Framework Console, ASP.NET MVC4/5, UWP) → use Windows-specific snippets
  • Cross-platform apps (ASP.NET Core, .NET Core/.NET 5+ Console, Blazor, MAUI, Xamarin) → use cross-platform / .Net.Core snippets
• Do not create or run any .csx script

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Mode 2: Execute via CSX Script (does not touch project files)

Use this mode only when the user explicitly requests execution, file generation, or a fully produced output (such as a completed XLSX file).

Trigger keywords: "create a workbook", "create an Excel file", "generate a spreadsheet", "make a spreadsheet", "generate a file", "open", "edit", "modify", "change" an .xlsx file, "without modifying my project", "run a csx script", "just create it", "build me", "export to excel", "save as", "output", "result", "export", "convert", "transform", "file path", or when the user provides a file path (e.g., output/report.xlsx, ~/Documents/sales.xlsx, /tmp/data.xlsx).

Workflow:

Step 1 — Create Temp CSX Script

• Start with references/template.csx as the base
• Create at: {skill-root}/syncfusion-dotnet-excel/scripts/temp-{timestamp}.csx (e.g., skill-root = .codestudio/skills)
• Use Unix timestamp for unique filename; never create in workspace root

Step 2 — Build Script from Reference Files

• Do NOT invent APIs/methods not in reference files
• Read relevant references/*.md file(s) and extract code snippets
• Replace all placeholders: file paths, sheet names, cell values, data, field names, etc.

Step 3 — Execute Script

• Run: dotnet script {skill-root}/syncfusion-dotnet-excel/scripts/temp-{timestamp}.csx
• Verify successful execution and capture any errors

Step 4 — Clean Up and Report

• Delete the temp .csx file after execution
• Report SUCCESS/ERROR with output file path(s) and any error messages with fixes

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Code References

All templates and snippets are in the references/ folder:

File	Contents
nuget-packages.md	NuGet package mappings by application type (Mode 1)
template.csx	Base CSX script structure and license registration
document-structure.md	Create/save/close workbook, add/rename/delete/move sheets
template-markers.md	Template marker binding: variables, DataTable, lists, DataSet
cell-formatting.md	Cell formatting, number formats, styles, autofit
cell-values.md	Cell values and operations: set/read text, numbers, formulas, dates, booleans, detect type
cell-access-manipulation.md	Access cells relatively, discontinuous ranges, migrant range, precedent/dependent cells, clear content
formulas-advanced.md	Cross-sheet references, array formulas, external references, named ranges, calculated columns, calculation modes, formula auditing
charts.md	Create and configure charts
excel-csv.md	Import/export CSV
excel-to-json.md	Convert worksheets or ranges to JSON
excel-to-pdf.md	Convert workbook to PDF using renderer
export-data.md	Exporting tables, ranges and named ranges
import-data.md	Import CSV, DataTable, and other data sources into sheets
import-data-advanced.md	Import HTML tables, XML, arrays, collections, nested collections, DataColumn, DataView, grid controls
data-validation.md	Add and manage data validation rules and dropdowns
comments.md	Add, edit, and remove cell comments/notes
conditional-formatting.md	Apply conditional formatting rules and color scales
freeze-panes.md	Freeze rows, columns, split panes, and unfreeze worksheet sections
show-hide.md	Show/hide rows, columns, sheets, grid lines, headers, tabs, and zoom level
row-column-insert-delete.md	Insert, delete, and move rows and columns with formatting options
row-column-sizing.md	Resize, autofit, group, and subtotal rows and columns
auto-fill.md	Auto fill series, patterns, and trends in cell ranges
fill-series.md	Fill series with linear, growth, datetime, and auto fill options
find-all-replace.md	Find all by type (text, numbers, formulas, values, comments), replace with options, entire workbook
filtering-advanced.md	Top10 filters, custom conditions, combination (text/datetime), dynamic, color, icon filters, advanced filters
page-setup.md	Page setup, margins, headers/footers, print areas
pictures.md	Insert, position, resize, align pictures and images, external links, SVG images
pivot-table.md	Create and configure pivot tables
pivot-table-advanced.md	Advanced pivot operations: cell formatting, layouts, sorting/filtering, grouping, calculated fields
pivot-chart.md	Create and configure pivot charts from pivot table data
table-listobject.md	Create and manage Excel tables (ListObjects)
what-if-analysis.md	Create and manage scenarios with what-if analysis for testing input values
slicer.md	Create and manage table slicers for UI-based filtering
security.md	Password protection, encryption, and permission settings
drawing-objects.md	Create and manage drawing objects including text boxes, checkboxes, shapes, and comments
macros.md	Create, edit, and manage VBA macros in Excel workbooks
custom-xml.md	Add and read custom XML parts to store arbitrary XML data in workbooks
worksheet-move-copy.md	Move and copy worksheets, rows, columns, and cell ranges

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Rules

• Output files go in ./output/ directory
• Temp .csx scripts must be created inside {skill-root}/syncfusion-dotnet-excel/scripts/ — never in the workspace root or customer scripts/ folder
• Use license key from SyncfusionLicense.txt at workspace root or env var SYNCFUSION_LICENSE_KEY
• Never use Python libraries (e.g., openpyxl, pandas)
• Never leave temp .csx files after execution