Choosing an excel java api [closed]

Answer 1

FWIW and Extentech - the makers of OpenXLS - released a new version that now supports adding formulas and executing them like so:

CellHandle cx = sheet.add("=sum(a1+a2)","b1");
String val = cx.getFormulaHandle().getFormattedValue();

Also, you will find that Sheetster.com is an open source web spreadsheet from Extentech and you can embed a nice web spreadsheet in your web apps.

Answer 2

I do NOT recommend OpenXLS. I used it for a little while but became very frustrated by the limits of the free version. If you want to write formulae, for example, you can't. Unless you buy the commercial version that the company behind OpenXLS sells, anyway.

I've been using JExcelAPI for the last few months and am quite impressed with it. It's very easy to use it to read and write Excel spreadsheets. The documentation is fairly good but it could be better. If you haven't already made your choice, I would recommend JExcelAPI to you.

I'm afraid that I haven't tried POI so I can't comment on it.

Answer 3

I have used only JExcelAPI, and found it quite usable and solid. Encountered one weirdness, but it was in writing, not reading, and is clearly documented (with solution) in their FAQ, so - happy to recommend it.

Answer 4

I have used POI only but found it to be simple to use and work as advertised.