simple-xlsx

get a table out of an excel spreadsheet.

Written by @dominictarr, adopted by @zeke.

Example

fs.createReadStream('accounts.xlsx')
  .pipe(SimpleXlsx(function (err, table) {
    if(err) throw err
    console.log(table)
  })

or as command line tool

Convert stdin into JSON arrays.

curl https://bestspreadsheets.com/sheet1.xlsx | simple-xlsx

how it all works.

The excell spreadsheet format is a bit strange. basically, it's XML files, inside a zip archive, which sounds easy, but the great thing about this is that it's easy to add more stuff when ever you feel like.

So, you unzip the archive, and then you look in the xl/worksheets/work1.xml file. This contains the actual data, plus some style information about how to display the columns. Except for long strings that would be too easy. long strings are stored in the xl/sharedStrings.xml file, and indexed by numbers in the worksheet (<c t=s><v>{number}</v><c>)

Pointers in a text format! There is also more style information (fonts etc) in xl/styles.xml but never mind that.

This seems to work. I basically had to write it while trying to understand other xlsx parsers that I was evaluating...

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

The Software is provided "AS IS" and "WITH ALL FAULTS," without warranty of any kind, including without limitation the warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement. The Licensor makes no warranty that the Software is free of defects or is suitable for any particular purpose. In no event shall the Licensor be responsible for loss or damages arising from the installation or use of the Software, including but not limited to any indirect, punitive, special, incidental or consequential damages of any character including, without limitation, damages for loss of goodwill, work stoppage, computer failure or malfunction, or any and all other commercial damages or losses. The entire risk as to the quality and performance of the Software is borne by you. Should the Software prove defective, you and not the Licensor assume the entire cost of any service and repair.

License

MIT