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), custom font registration for PDF and image conversion
• 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", "custom font", "font registration", "FontManager", "missing font".

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:

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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