How to create an Excel (XLSX) file on Linux or macOS in C#

Prerequisites

• Install Visual Studio Code.
• Install C# for Visual Studio Code extension.
• Install .NET Core SDK on Ubuntu.

After installing the requirements listed above you can follow these steps that show how you can easily use a Visual Studio Code (VS Code) to create a simple Console project and the C# code that generates an XLSX file.

1. Open a project folder

• Open VS Code.
• Click "Open Folder" on the EXPLORER panel.
• Select the folder you want your console project to be in, for instance, GemBoxExample.

2. Create a new console project

• Open Integrated Terminal in VS Code by clicking View > Terminal or using CTRL + ` shortcut.
• In the terminal window execute following command: dotnet new console.
• This command will create a code file (Program.cs) and a project file (GemBoxExample.csproj) inside the opened folder.

3. Edit project files

• Add a reference to GemBox.Spreadsheet in GemBoxExample.csproj file:
  • XML

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  <ItemGroup>
    <PackageReference Include="GemBox.Spreadsheet" Version="*" />
  </ItemGroup>

• Edit the C# code in Program.cs file:
  • C#

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  using GemBox.Spreadsheet;
  
  class Program
  {
      static void Main()
      {
          // If using the Professional version, put your serial key below.
          SpreadsheetInfo.SetLicense("FREE-LIMITED-KEY");
  
          ExcelFile workbook = new ExcelFile();
          ExcelWorksheet worksheet = workbook.Worksheets.Add("Sheet1");
          ExcelCell cell = worksheet.Cells["A1"];
  
          cell.Value = "Hello World!";
  
          workbook.Save("HelloWorld.xlsx");
      }
  }
  

4. Run the console project

• In the terminal window, execute the following command: dotnet run
• This command will run your Console application and create an Excel workbook (HelloWorld.xlsx) that you can open in any Excel application.

Using the full functionality of GemBox.Spreadsheet on a Linux host requires the adjustments explained in detail on the Supported Platforms help page.