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Desktop Applications

Web technologies like JavaScript and HTML have been adapted to the traditional app space. Typically these frameworks bundle a JavaScript engine as well as a windowing framework. SheetJS is compatible with many app frameworks.

NW.js​

The Standalone scripts can be referenced in a SCRIPT tag from the entry point HTML page.

This demo was tested against NW.js 0.66.0.

Complete Example (click to show)

1) Create a package.json file that specifies the entry point:

package.json
{
  "name": "sheetjs-nwjs",
  "author": "sheetjs",
  "version": "0.0.0",
  "main": "index.html",
  "dependencies": {
    "nw": "~0.66.0",
    "xlsx": "https://cdn.sheetjs.com/xlsx-latest/xlsx-latest.tgz"
  }
}

2) Download index.html into the same folder.

caution

Right-click the link and select "Save Link As...". Left-clicking the link will try to load the page in your browser. The goal is to save the file contents.

3) Run npm install to install dependencies

4) To verify the app works, run in the test environment:

npx nw .

The app will show and you should be able to verify reading and writing by using the file input element to select a spreadsheet and clicking the export button.

5) To build a standalone app, run the builder:

npx -p nw-builder nwbuild --mode=build .

This will generate the standalone app in the build\sheetjs-nwjs\ folder.

Reading data​

The standard HTML5 FileReader techniques from the browser apply to NW.js!

NW.js handles the OS minutiae for dragging files into app windows. The drag and drop snippet apply to DIV elements on the page.

Similarly, file input elements automatically map to standard Web APIs.

For example, assuming a file input element on the page:

<input type="file" name="xlfile" id="xlf" />

The event handler would process the event as if it were a web event:

async function handleFile(e) {
  const file = e.target.files[0];
  const data = await file.arrayBuffer();
  /* data is an ArrayBuffer */
  const workbook = XLSX.read(data);

  /* DO SOMETHING WITH workbook HERE */
}
document.getElementById("xlf").addEventListener("change", handleFile, false);

Writing data​

File input elements with the attribute nwsaveas show UI for saving a file. The standard trick is to generate a hidden file input DOM element and "click" it. Since NW.js does not present a writeFileSync in the fs package, a manual step is required:

/* pre-build the hidden nwsaveas input element */
var input = document.createElement('input');
input.style.display = 'none';
input.setAttribute('nwsaveas', 'SheetJSNWDemo.xlsx');
input.setAttribute('type', 'file');
document.body.appendChild(input);

/* show a message if the save is canceled */
input.addEventListener('cancel',function(){ alert("Save was canceled!"); });

/* write to a file on the 'change' event */
input.addEventListener('change',function(e){
  /* the `value` is the path that the program will write */
  var filename = this.value;

  /* use XLSX.write with type "buffer" to generate a buffer" */
  var wbout = XLSX.write(workbook, {type:'buffer', bookType:"xlsx"});
  fs.writeFile(filename, wbout, function(err) {
    if(!err) return alert("Saved to " + filename);
    alert("Error: " + (err.message || err));
  });
});

input.click();

Electron​

The NodeJS Module can be imported from the main or the renderer thread.

Electron presents a fs module. The require('xlsx') call loads the CommonJS module, so XLSX.readFile and XLSX.writeFile work in the renderer thread.

This demo was tested against Electron 19.0.5 on an Intel Mac (darwin-x64).

Complete Example (click to show)

This demo includes a drag-and-drop box as well as a file input box, mirroring the SheetJS Data Preview Live Demo

The core data in this demo is an editable HTML table. The readers build up the table using sheet_to_html (with editable:true option) and the writers scrape the table using table_to_book.

The demo project is wired for electron-forge to build the standalone binary.

1) Download the demo files:

caution

Right-click each link and select "Save Link As...". Left-clicking a link will try to load the page in your browser. The goal is to save the file contents.

2) Run npm install to install dependencies.

3) To verify the app works, run in the test environment:

npx -y electron .

The app will show and you should be able to verify reading and writing by using the relevant buttons to open files and clicking the export button.

4) To build a standalone app, run the builder:

npm run make

This will generate the standalone app in the out\sheetjs-electron-... folder. For a recent Intel Mac, the path will be out/sheetjs-electron-darwin-x64/

Writing Files​

XLSX.writeFile writes workbooks to the file system. showSaveDialog shows a Save As dialog and returns the selected file name:

/* from the renderer thread */
const electron = require('@electron/remote');

/* this function will show the save dialog and try to write the workbook */
async function exportFile(workbook) {
  /* show Save As dialog */
  const result = await electron.dialog.showSaveDialog({
    title: 'Save file as',
    filters: [{
      name: "Spreadsheets",
      extensions: ["xlsx", "xls", "xlsb", /* ... other formats ... */]
    }]
  });
  /* write file */
  XLSX.writeFile(workbook, result.filePath);
}
note

In older versions of Electron, showSaveDialog returned the path directly:

var dialog = require('electron').remote.dialog;

function exportFile(workbook) {
  var result = dialog.showSaveDialog();
  XLSX.writeFile(workbook, result);
}

Reading Files​

Electron offers 3 different ways to read files, two of which use Web APIs.

File Input Element

File input elements automatically map to standard Web APIs.

For example, assuming a file input element on the page:

<input type="file" name="xlfile" id="xlf" />

The event handler would process the event as if it were a web event:

async function handleFile(e) {
  const file = e.target.files[0];
  const data = await file.arrayBuffer();
  /* data is an ArrayBuffer */
  const workbook = XLSX.read(data);

  /* DO SOMETHING WITH workbook HERE */
}
document.getElementById("xlf").addEventListener("change", handleFile, false);

Drag and Drop

The drag and drop snippet applies to DIV elements on the page.

For example, assuming a DIV on the page:

<div id="drop">Drop a spreadsheet file here to see sheet data</div>

The event handler would process the event as if it were a web event:

async function handleDrop(e) {
  e.stopPropagation();
  e.preventDefault();

  const file = e.dataTransfer.files[0];
  const data = await file.arrayBuffer();
  /* data is an ArrayBuffer */
  const workbook = XLSX.read(data);

  /* DO SOMETHING WITH workbook HERE */
}
document.getElementById("drop").addEventListener("drop", handleDrop, false);

Electron API

XLSX.readFile reads workbooks from the file system. showOpenDialog shows a Save As dialog and returns the selected file name. Unlike the Web APIs, the showOpenDialog flow can be initiated by app code:

/* from the renderer thread */
const electron = require('@electron/remote');

/* this function will show the open dialog and try to parse the workbook */
async function importFile() {
  /* show Save As dialog */
  const result = await electron.dialog.showOpenDialog({
    title: 'Select a file',
    filters: [{
      name: "Spreadsheets",
      extensions: ["xlsx", "xls", "xlsb", /* ... other formats ... */]
    }]
  });
  /* result.filePaths is an array of selected files */
  if(result.filePaths.length == 0) throw new Error("No file was selected!");
  return XLSX.readFile(result.filePaths[0]);
}
note

In older versions of Electron, showOpenDialog returned the path directly:

var dialog = require('electron').remote.dialog;

function importFile(workbook) {
  var result = dialog.showOpenDialog({ properties: ['openFile'] });
  return XLSX.readFile(result[0]);
}

Electron Breaking Changes​

The first version of this demo used Electron 1.7.5. The current demo includes the required changes for Electron 19.0.5.

There are no Electron-specific workarounds in the library, but Electron broke backwards compatibility multiple times. A summary of changes is noted below.

caution

Electron 6.x changed the dialog API. Methods like showSaveDialog originally returned an array of strings, but now returns a Promise. This change was not documented. Electron issue

Electron 9.0.0 and later require the preference nodeIntegration: true in order to require('xlsx') in the renderer process.

Electron 12.0.0 and later also require worldSafeExecuteJavascript: true and contextIsolation: true.

Electron 14+ must use @electron/remote instead of remote. An initialize call is required to enable Developer Tools in the window.

Tauri​

The NodeJS Module can be imported from JavaScript code.

This demo was tested against Tauri 1.0.5 on 2022 August 13.

note

Tauri currently does not provide the equivalent of NodeJS fs module. The raw @tauri-apps/api methods used in the examples are not expected to change.

http and dialog must be explicitly allowed in tauri.conf.json:

tauri.conf.json
    "allowlist": {
      "all": true,
      "http": {
        "all": true,
        "request": true,
        "scope": ["https://**"]
      },
      "dialog": {
        "all": true
      }

The "Complete Example" creates an app that looks like the screenshot:

SheetJS Tauri MacOS screenshot

Complete Example (click to show)

0) Read Tauri "Getting Started" guide and install dependencies.

1) Create a new Tauri app:

npm create tauri-app

When prompted:

  • App Name: SheetJSTauri
  • Window Title: SheetJS + Tauri
  • UI recipe: create-vite
  • Add "@tauri-apps/api": Y
  • ViteJS template: vue-ts

2) Enter the directory:

cd SheetJSTauri

Open package.json with a text editor and add the highlighted lines:

package.json
{
  "name": "SheetJSTauri",
  "private": true,
  "version": "0.0.0",
  "type": "module",
  "scripts": {
    "dev": "vite",
    "build": "vue-tsc --noEmit && vite build",
    "preview": "vite preview",
    "tauri": "tauri"
  },
  "dependencies": {
    "@tauri-apps/api": "^1.0.2",
    "vue": "^3.2.37",
    "xlsx": "https://cdn.sheetjs.com/xlsx-latest/xlsx-latest.tgz"
  },
  "devDependencies": {
    "@tauri-apps/cli": "^1.0.5",
    "@vitejs/plugin-vue": "^3.0.3",
    "typescript": "^4.6.4",
    "vite": "^3.0.7",
    "vue-tsc": "^0.39.5"
  }
}

3) Install dependencies:

npm install --save https://cdn.sheetjs.com/xlsx-latest/xlsx-latest.tgz

4) Enable operations by adding the highlighted lines to tauri.conf.json:

src-tauri/tauri.conf.json
  "tauri": {
    "allowlist": {
      "http": {
        "all": true,
        "request": true,
        "scope": ["https://**"]
      },
      "dialog": {
        "all": true
      },
      "all": true
    }

In the same file, look for the "identifier" key and replace the value with com.sheetjs.tauri:

src-tauri/tauri.conf.json
        "icons/icon.ico"
      ],
      "identifier": "com.sheetjs.tauri",
      "longDescription": "",

5) Download App.vue and replace src/App.vue with the downloaded script.

6) Build the app with

npm run tauri build

At the end, it will print the path to the generated program. Run the program!

Reading Files​

There are two steps to reading files: obtaining a path and reading binary data:

import { read } from 'xlsx';
import { open } from '@tauri-apps/api/dialog';
import { readBinaryFile } from '@tauri-apps/api/fs';

const filters = [
  {name: "Excel Binary Workbook", extensions: ["xlsb"]},
  {name: "Excel Workbook", extensions: ["xlsx"]},
  {name: "Excel 97-2004 Workbook", extensions: ["xls"]},
  // ... other desired formats ...
];

async function openFile() {
  /* show open file dialog */
  const selected = await open({
    title: "Open Spreadsheet",
    multiple: false,
    directory: false,
    filters
  });

  /* read data into a Uint8Array */
  const d = await readBinaryFile(selected);

  /* parse with SheetJS */
  const wb = read(d);
  return wb;
}

Writing Files​

There are two steps to writing files: obtaining a path and writing binary data:

import { write } from 'xlsx';
import { save } from '@tauri-apps/api/dialog';
import { writeBinaryFile } from '@tauri-apps/api/fs';

const filters = [
  {name: "Excel Binary Workbook", extensions: ["xlsb"]},
  {name: "Excel Workbook", extensions: ["xlsx"]},
  {name: "Excel 97-2004 Workbook", extensions: ["xls"]},
  // ... other desired formats ...
];

async function saveFile(wb) {
  /* show save file dialog */
  const selected = await save({
    title: "Save to Spreadsheet",
    filters
  });

  /* Generate workbook */
  const bookType = selected.slice(selected.lastIndexOf(".") + 1);
  const d = write(wb, {type: "buffer", bookType});

  /* save data to file */
  await writeBinaryFile(selected, d);
}

Wails​

The NodeJS Module can be imported from JavaScript code.

This demo was tested against Wails v2.0.0-beta.44.2 on 2022 August 31 using the Svelte TypeScript starter.

caution

Wails currently does not provide the equivalent of NodeJS fs module.

The HTML File Input Element does not show a file picker. This is a known bug.

All raw file operations must be performed in Go code.

The "Complete Example" creates an app that looks like the screenshot:

SheetJS Wails MacOS screenshot

Complete Example (click to show)

0) Read Wails "Getting Started" guide and install dependencies.

1) Create a new Wails app:

wails init -n sheetjs-wails -t svelte-ts

2) Enter the directory:

cd sheetjs-wails

3) Install front-end dependencies:

cd frontend
curl -L -o src/assets/logo.png https://sheetjs.com/sketch1024.png
npm i --save https://cdn.sheetjs.com/xlsx-latest/xlsx-latest.tgz
cd ..

4) Download source files:

  • Download app.go and replace app.go
  • Download App.svelte and replace frontend/src/App.svelte

5) Build the app with

wails build

At the end, it will print the path to the generated program. Run the program!

All operations must be run from Go code. This example passes Base64 strings.

Reading Files​

The file picker and reading operations can be combined in one Go function.

Go​

import (
  "context"
  "encoding/base64"
  "io/ioutil"
  "github.com/wailsapp/wails/v2/pkg/runtime"
)

type App struct {
  ctx context.Context
}

// ReadFile shows an open file dialog and returns the data as Base64 string
func (a *App) ReadFile() string {
  selection, err := runtime.OpenFileDialog(a.ctx, runtime.OpenDialogOptions{
    Title: "Select File",
    Filters: []runtime.FileFilter{
      { DisplayName: "Excel Workbooks (*.xlsx)", Pattern: "*.xlsx", },
      // ... more filters for more file types
    },
  })
  if err != nil { return "" } // The demo app shows an error message
  data, err := ioutil.ReadFile(selection)
  if err != nil { return "" } // The demo app shows an error message
  return base64.StdEncoding.EncodeToString(data)
}

JS​

Wails will automatically create window.go.main.App.ReadFile for use in JS:

frontend/src/App.svelte
import { read, utils } from 'xlsx';

async function importFile(evt) {
  const b64 = window['go']['main']['App']['ReadFile']();
  const wb = read(b64, { type: "base64" });
  const ws = wb.Sheets[wb.SheetNames[0]]; // get the first worksheet
  html = utils.sheet_to_html(ws); // generate HTML and update state
}

Writing Files​

There is a multi-part dance since the library needs the file extension.

1) Show the save file picker in Go, pass back to JS

2) Generate the file data in JS, pass the data back to Go

3) Write to file in Go

Go​

Two Go functions will be exposed.

  • SaveFile will show the file picker and return the path:
import (
  "context"
  "github.com/wailsapp/wails/v2/pkg/runtime"
)

type App struct {
  ctx context.Context
}

func (a *App) SaveFile() string {
  selection, err := runtime.SaveFileDialog(a.ctx, runtime.SaveDialogOptions{
    Title: "Select File",
    DefaultFilename: "SheetJSWails.xlsx",
    Filters: []runtime.FileFilter{
      { DisplayName: "Excel Workbooks (*.xlsx)", Pattern: "*.xlsx", },
      // ... more filters for more file types
    },
  })
  if err != nil { return "" } // The demo app shows an error message
  return selection
}
  • WriteFile performs the file write given a Base64 string and file path:
import (
  "context"
  "encoding/base64"
  "io/ioutil"
)

type App struct {
  ctx context.Context
}

func (a *App) WriteFile(b64 string, path string) {
  buf, _ := base64.StdEncoding.DecodeString(b64);
  _ = ioutil.WriteFile(path, buf, 0644);
}

JS​

Wails will automatically create bindings for use in JS:

import { utils, write } from 'xlsx';

async function exportFile(wb) {
  /* generate workbook */
  const elt = tbl.getElementsByTagName("TABLE")[0];
  const wb = utils.table_to_book(elt);

  /* show save picker and get path */
  const path = await window['go']['main']['App']['SaveFile']();

  /* generate base64 string based on the path */
  const b64 = write(wb, { bookType: path.slice(path.lastIndexOf(".")+1), type: "base64" });

  /* write to file */
  await window['go']['main']['App']['WriteFile'](b64, path);
  // The demo shows a success message at this point
}

NeutralinoJS​

The Standalone build can be added to the entry index.html

This demo was tested against "binaries" 4.7.0 and "client" 3.6.0

note

NeutralinoJS currently does not provide the equivalent of NodeJS fs module. The raw Neutralino.filesystem and Neutralino.os methods are used.

The os and filesystem modules must be enabled in neutralino.conf.json. The starter already enables os so typically one line must be added:

neutralino.config.json
  "nativeAllowList": [
    "app.*",
    "os.*",
    "filesystem.*",
    "debug.log"
  ],

The "Complete Example" creates an app that looks like the screenshot:

SheetJS NeutralinoJS MacOS screenshot

caution

At the time of writing, filters did not work as expected on MacOS. They have been omitted in the example and commented in the code snippets

Complete Example (click to show)

The app core state will be the HTML table. Reading files will add the table to the window. Writing files will parse the table into a spreadsheet.

1) Create a new NeutralinoJS app:

npx @neutralinojs/neu create sheetjs-neu
cd sheetjs-neu

2) Download the standalone script and place in resources/js/main.js:

curl -L -o resources/js/xlsx.full.min.js https://cdn.sheetjs.com/xlsx-latest/package/dist/xlsx.full.min.js

3) Add the highlighted lines to neutralino.conf.json in nativeAllowList:

neutralino.config.json
  "nativeAllowList": [
    "app.*",
    "os.*",
    "filesystem.*",
    "debug.log"
  ],

4) Set up skeleton app and print version info:

  • Edit resources/index.html and replace the <body> with the code below:
resources/index.html
  <body>
    <div id="neutralinoapp">
      <h1>SheetJS × NeutralinoJS</h1>
      <button onclick="importData()">Import Data</button>
      <button onclick="exportData()">Export Data</button>
      <div id="info"></div>
    </div>
    <script src="js/neutralino.js"></script>
    <!-- Load the browser build and make XLSX available to main.js -->
    <script src="js/xlsx.full.min.js"></script>
    <script src="js/main.js"></script>
  </body>
  • Append the following code to resources/styles.css to center the table:
resources/styles.css
#info {
    width:100%;
    text-align: unset;
}
table {
    margin: 0 auto;
}
  • Print the version number in the showInfo method of resources/js/main.js:
resources/js/main.js
        ${NL_APPID} is running on port ${NL_PORT}  inside ${NL_OS}
        <br/><br/>
        <span>server: v${NL_VERSION} . client: v${NL_CVERSION}</span>
        <br/><br/>
        <span>SheetJS version ${XLSX.version}</span>
        `;

5) Run the app:

npx @neutralinojs/neu run

You should see SheetJS Version followed by the library version number.

6) Add the following code to the bottom of resources/js/main.js:

(async() => {
  const ab = await (await fetch("https://sheetjs.com/pres.numbers")).arrayBuffer();
  const wb = XLSX.read(ab);
  const ws = wb.Sheets[wb.SheetNames[0]];
  document.getElementById('info').innerHTML = XLSX.utils.sheet_to_html(ws);
})();

Save the source file, close the app and re-run the command from step 5.

When the app loads, a table should show in the main screen.

7) Add importFile and exportFile to the bottom of resources/js/main.js:

async function importData() {
  /* show open dialog */
  const [filename] = await Neutralino.os.showOpenDialog('Open a spreadsheet');

  /* read data */
  const ab = await Neutralino.filesystem.readBinaryFile(filename);
  const wb = XLSX.read(ab);

  /* make table */
  const ws = wb.Sheets[wb.SheetNames[0]];
  document.getElementById('info').innerHTML = XLSX.utils.sheet_to_html(ws);
}

async function exportData() {
    /* show save dialog */
  const filename = await Neutralino.os.showSaveDialog('Save to file');

  /* make workbook */
  const tbl = document.getElementById('info').querySelector("table");
  const wb = XLSX.utils.table_to_book(tbl);

  /* make file */
  const bookType = filename.slice(filename.lastIndexOf(".") + 1);
  const data = XLSX.write(wb, { bookType, type: "buffer" });
  await Neutralino.filesystem.writeBinaryFile(filename, data);
}

Save the source file, close the app and re-run the command from step 5.

When the app loads, click the "Import File" button and select a spreadsheet to see the contents. Click "Export File" and enter SheetJSNeu.xlsx to write.

8) Build production apps:

npx @neutralinojs/neu run

Platform-specific programs will be created in the dist folder.

Reading Files​

There are two steps to reading files: obtaining a path and reading binary data:

const filters = [
  {name: "Excel Binary Workbook", extensions: ["xlsb"]},
  {name: "Excel Workbook", extensions: ["xlsx"]},
]

async function openFile() {
  /* show open file dialog */
  const [filename] = await Neutralino.os.showOpenDialog(
    'Open a spreadsheet',
    { /* filters, */ multiSelections: false }
  );

  /* read data into an ArrayBuffer */
  const ab = await Neutralino.filesystem.readBinaryFile(filename);

  /* parse with SheetJS */
  const wb = XLSX.read(ab);
  return wb;
}

This method can be called from a button click or other event.

Writing Files​

There are two steps to writing files: obtaining a path and writing binary data:

const filters = [
  {name: "Excel Binary Workbook", extensions: ["xlsb"]},
  {name: "Excel Workbook", extensions: ["xlsx"]},
]

async function saveFile(wb) {
  /* show save file dialog */
  const filename = await Neutralino.os.showSaveDialog(
    'Save to file',
    { /* filters */ }
  );

  /* Generate workbook */
  const bookType = filename.slice(filename.lastIndexOf(".") + 1);
  const data = XLSX.write(wb, { bookType, type: "buffer" });

  /* save data to file */
  await Neutralino.filesystem.writeBinaryFile(filename, data);
}

React Native Windows​

The NodeJS Module can be imported from the main app script. File operations must be written in native code.

This demo was tested against v0.69.6 on 2022 September 07 in Windows 10.

danger

There is no simple standalone executable file at the end of the process.

The official documentation describes distribution strategies

React Native Windows use Turbo Modules

Complete Example (click to show)
note

React Native Windows supports writing native code in C++ or C#. This demo has been tested against both application types.

0) Follow the "Getting Started" guide

1) Create a new project using React Native 0.69:

npx react-native init SheetJSWin --template [email protected]^0.69.0
cd .\SheetJSWin\

Create the Windows part of the application:

npx react-native-windows-init --no-telemetry --overwrite --language=cs

Install library:

npm install --save https://cdn.sheetjs.com/xlsx-latest/xlsx-latest.tgz

To ensure that the app works, launch the app:

npx react-native run-windows --no-telemetry

2) Create the file windows\SheetJSWin\DocumentPicker.cs with the following:

windows\SheetJSWin\DocumentPicker.cs
using System;
using Microsoft.ReactNative.Managed;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.IO;
using System.Linq;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using Windows.ApplicationModel.Core;
using Windows.Security.Cryptography;
using Windows.Storage;
using Windows.Storage.Pickers;
using Windows.UI.Core;

namespace SheetJSWin {
  [ReactModule]
  class DocumentPicker {
    private ReactContext context;
    [ReactInitializer]
    public void Initialize(ReactContext reactContext) { context = reactContext; }

    [ReactMethod("PickAndRead")]
    public async void PickAndRead(IReactPromise<string> result) {
      context.Handle.UIDispatcher.Post(async() => { try {
        var picker = new FileOpenPicker();
        picker.SuggestedStartLocation = PickerLocationId.DocumentsLibrary;
        picker.FileTypeFilter.Add(".xlsx");
        picker.FileTypeFilter.Add(".xls");

        var file = await picker.PickSingleFileAsync();
        if(file == null) throw new Exception("File not found");

        var buf = await FileIO.ReadBufferAsync(file);
        result.Resolve(CryptographicBuffer.EncodeToBase64String(buf));
      } catch(Exception e) { result.Reject(new ReactError { Message = e.Message }); }});
    }
  }
}

3) Add the highlighted line to windows\SheetJSWin\SheetJSWin.csproj. Look for the ItemGroup that contains ReactPackageProvider.cs:

windows\SheetJSWin\SheetJSWin.csproj
    <Compile Include="DocumentPicker.cs" />
    <Compile Include="ReactPackageProvider.cs" />
  </ItemGroup>

Now the native module will be added to the app.

6) Remove App.js and save the following to App.tsx:

App.tsx
import React, { useState, type Node } from 'react';
import { SafeAreaView, ScrollView, StyleSheet, Text, TouchableHighlight, View } from 'react-native';
import { read, utils, version } from 'xlsx';
import { getEnforcing } from 'react-native/Libraries/TurboModule/TurboModuleRegistry';
const DocumentPicker = getEnforcing('DocumentPicker');

const App: () => Node = () => {

  const [ aoa, setAoA ] = useState(["SheetJS".split(""), "5433795".split("")]);

  return (
    <SafeAreaView style={styles.outer}>
      <Text style={styles.title}>SheetJS × React Native Windows {version}</Text>
      <TouchableHighlight onPress={async() => {
        try {
          const b64 = await DocumentPicker.PickAndRead();
          const wb = read(b64);
          setAoA(utils.sheet_to_json(wb.Sheets[wb.SheetNames[0]], { header: 1 } ));
        } catch(err) { alert(`Error: ${err.message}`); }
      }}><Text style={styles.button}>Click here to Open File!</Text></TouchableHighlight>
      <ScrollView contentInsetAdjustmentBehavior="automatic">
        <View style={styles.table}>{aoa.map((row,R) => (
          <View style={styles.row} key={R}>{row.map((cell,C) => (
            <View style={styles.cell} key={C}><Text>{cell}</Text></View>
          ))}</View>
        ))}</View>
      </ScrollView>
    </SafeAreaView>
  );
};

const styles = StyleSheet.create({
  cell: { flex: 4 },
  row: { flexDirection: 'row', justifyContent: 'space-evenly', padding: 10, backgroundColor: 'white', },
  table: { display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'center', },
  outer: { marginTop: 32, paddingHorizontal: 24, },
  title: { fontSize: 24, fontWeight: '600', },
  button: { marginTop: 8, fontSize: 18, fontWeight: '400', },
});

export default App;

7) Test the app again:

npx react-native run-windows --no-telemetry

Download https://sheetjs.com/pres.xlsx, then click on "open file". Use the file picker to select the pres.xlsx file and the app will show the data.

Reading Files​

Only the main UI thread can show file pickers. This is similar to Web Worker DOM access limitations in the Web platform.

This example defines a PickAndRead function that will show the file picker, read the file contents, and return a Base64 string.

namespace SheetJSWin {
  [ReactModule]
  class DocumentPicker {
    /* The context must be stored when the module is initialized */
    private ReactContext context;
    [ReactInitializer]
    public void Initialize(ReactContext ctx) { context = ctx; }

    [ReactMethod("PickAndRead")]
    public async void PickAndRead(IReactPromise<string> result) {
      /* perform file picker action in the UI thread */
      context.Handle.UIDispatcher.Post(async() => { try {
        /* create file picker */
        var picker = new FileOpenPicker();
        picker.SuggestedStartLocation = PickerLocationId.DocumentsLibrary;
        picker.FileTypeFilter.Add(".xlsx");
        picker.FileTypeFilter.Add(".xls");

        /* show file picker */
        var file = await picker.PickSingleFileAsync();
        if(file == null) throw new Exception("File not found");

        /* read data and return base64 string */
        var buf = await FileIO.ReadBufferAsync(file);
        result.Resolve(CryptographicBuffer.EncodeToBase64String(buf));
      } catch(Exception e) { result.Reject(new ReactError { Message = e.Message }); }});
    }
  }
}

This module can be referenced from the Turbo Module Registry:

import { read } from 'xlsx';
import { getEnforcing } from 'react-native/Libraries/TurboModule/TurboModuleRegistry';
const DocumentPicker = getEnforcing('DocumentPicker');


/* ... in some event handler ... */
async() => {
  const b64 = await DocumentPicker.PickAndRead();
  const wb = read(b64);
  // DO SOMETHING WITH `wb` HERE
}

React Native MacOS​

The NodeJS Module can be imported from the main app script. File operations must be written in native code.

This demo was tested against v0.64.30 on 2022 September 10 in MacOS 12.4

note

At the time of writing, the latest supported React Native version was v0.64.3

Complete Example (click to show)

0) Follow the React Native guide for React Native CLI on MacOS.

caution

NodeJS v16 is required. There are OS-specific tools for downgrading:

1) Create a new project using React Native 0.64:

npx react-native init SheetJSmacOS --template [email protected]^0.64.0
cd SheetJSmacOS

Create the MacOS part of the application:

npx react-native-macos-init --no-telemetry

Install Library:

npm i --save https://cdn.sheetjs.com/xlsx-latest/xlsx-latest.tgz

To ensure that the app works, launch the app:

npx react-native run-macos

Close the running app from the dock and close the Metro terminal window.

2) Create the file macos/SheetJSmacOS-macOS/RCTDocumentPicker.h:

macos/SheetJSmacOS-macOS/RCTDocumentPicker.h
#import <React/RCTBridgeModule.h>
@interface RCTDocumentPicker : NSObject <RCTBridgeModule>
@end

Create the file macos/SheetJSmacOS-macOS/RCTDocumentPicker.m:

macos/SheetJSmacOS-macOS/RCTDocumentPicker.m
#import <Foundation/Foundation.h>
#import <React/RCTUtils.h>

#import "RCTDocumentPicker.h"

@implementation RCTDocumentPicker

RCT_EXPORT_MODULE();

RCT_EXPORT_METHOD(PickAndRead:(RCTPromiseResolveBlock)resolve rejecter:(RCTPromiseRejectBlock)reject)
{
  RCTExecuteOnMainQueue(^{
    NSOpenPanel *panel = [NSOpenPanel openPanel];
    [panel setCanChooseDirectories:NO];
    [panel setAllowsMultipleSelection:NO];
    [panel setMessage:@"Select a spreadsheet to read"];

    [panel beginWithCompletionHandler:^(NSInteger result){
      if (result == NSModalResponseOK) {
        NSURL *selected = [[panel URLs] objectAtIndex:0];
        NSFileHandle *hFile = [NSFileHandle fileHandleForReadingFromURL:selected error:nil];
        if(hFile) {
          NSData *data = [hFile readDataToEndOfFile];
          resolve([data base64EncodedStringWithOptions:0]);
        } else reject(@"read_failure", @"Could not read selected file!", nil);
      } else reject(@"select_failure", @"No file selected!", nil);
    }];
  });
}
@end

3) Edit the project file macos/SheetJSmacOS.xcodeproj/project.pbxproj.

There are four places where lines must be added:

A) Immediately after /* Begin PBXBuildFile section */

/* Begin PBXBuildFile section */
    4717DC6A28CC499A00A9BE56 /* RCTDocumentPicker.m in Sources */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; fileRef = 4717DC6928CC499A00A9BE56 /* RCTDocumentPicker.m */; };
    13B07FBC1A68108700A75B9A /* AppDelegate.m in Sources */ = {isa = PBXBuildFile; fileRef = 13B07FB01A68108700A75B9A /* AppDelegate.m */; };

B) Immediately after /* Begin PBXFileReference section */

/* Begin PBXFileReference section */
    4717DC6828CC495400A9BE56 /* RCTDocumentPicker.h */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; lastKnownFileType = sourcecode.c.h; name = RCTDocumentPicker.h; path = "SheetJSMacOS-macOS/RCTDocumentPicker.h"; sourceTree = "<group>"; };
    4717DC6928CC499A00A9BE56 /* RCTDocumentPicker.m */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; lastKnownFileType = sourcecode.c.objc; name = RCTDocumentPicker.m; path = "SheetJSMacOS-macOS/RCTDocumentPicker.m"; sourceTree = "<group>"; };
    008F07F21AC5B25A0029DE68 /* main.jsbundle */ = {isa = PBXFileReference; fileEncoding = 4; lastKnownFileType = text; path = main.jsbundle; sourceTree = "<group>"; };

C) The goal is to add a reference to the PBXSourcesBuildPhase block for the macOS target. To determine this, look in the PBXNativeTarget section for a block with the comment SheetJSmacOS-macOS:

/* Begin PBXNativeTarget section */
...
      productType = "com.apple.product-type.application";
    };
    514201482437B4B30078DB4F /* SheetJSmacOS-macOS */ = {
      isa = PBXNativeTarget;
...
/* End PBXNativeTarget section */

Within the block, look for buildPhases and find the hex string for Sources:

      buildPhases = (
        1A938104A937498D81B3BD3B /* [CP] Check Pods Manifest.lock */,
        381D8A6F24576A6C00465D17 /* Start Packager */,
        514201452437B4B30078DB4F /* Sources */,
        514201462437B4B30078DB4F /* Frameworks */,
        514201472437B4B30078DB4F /* Resources */,
        381D8A6E24576A4E00465D17 /* Bundle React Native code and images */,
        3689826CA944E2EF44FCBC17 /* [CP] Copy Pods Resources */,
      );

Search for that hex string (514201452437B4B30078DB4F in our example) in the file and it should show up in a PBXSourcesBuildPhase section. Within files, add the highlighted line:

    514201452437B4B30078DB4F /* Sources */ = {
      isa = PBXSourcesBuildPhase;
      buildActionMask = 2147483647;
      files = (
        4717DC6A28CC499A00A9BE56 /* RCTDocumentPicker.m in Sources */,
        514201502437B4B30078DB4F /* ViewController.m in Sources */,
        514201582437B4B40078DB4F /* main.m in Sources */,
        5142014D2437B4B30078DB4F /* AppDelegate.m in Sources */,
      );
      runOnlyForDeploymentPostprocessing = 0;
    };

D) The goal is to add file references to the "main group". Search for /* Begin PBXProject section */ and there should be one Project object. Within the project object, look for mainGroup:

/* Begin PBXProject section */
    83CBB9F71A601CBA00E9B192 /* Project object */ = {
      isa = PBXProject;
...
        Base,
      );
      mainGroup = 83CBB9F61A601CBA00E9B192;
      productRefGroup = 83CBBA001A601CBA00E9B192 /* Products */;
...
/* End PBXProject section */

Search for that hex string (83CBB9F61A601CBA00E9B192 in our example) in the file and it should show up in a PBXGroup section. Within children, add the highlighted lines:

    83CBB9F61A601CBA00E9B192 = {
      isa = PBXGroup;
      children = (
        4717DC6828CC495400A9BE56 /* RCTDocumentPicker.h */,
        4717DC6928CC499A00A9BE56 /* RCTDocumentPicker.m */,
        5142014A2437B4B30078DB4F /* SheetJSmacOS-macOS */,
        13B07FAE1A68108700A75B9A /* SheetJSmacOS-iOS */,

4) Replace App.js with the following:

App.js
import React, { useState, type Node } from 'react';
import { SafeAreaView, ScrollView, StyleSheet, Text, TouchableHighlight, View } from 'react-native';
import { read, utils, version } from 'xlsx';
import { getEnforcing } from 'react-native/Libraries/TurboModule/TurboModuleRegistry';
const DocumentPicker = getEnforcing('DocumentPicker');

const App: () => Node = () => {

  const [ aoa, setAoA ] = useState(["SheetJS".split(""), "5433795".split("")]);

  return (
    <SafeAreaView style={styles.outer}>
      <Text style={styles.title}>SheetJS × React Native MacOS {version}</Text>
      <TouchableHighlight onPress={async() => {
        try {
          const b64 = await DocumentPicker.PickAndRead();
          const wb = read(b64);
          setAoA(utils.sheet_to_json(wb.Sheets[wb.SheetNames[0]], { header: 1 } ));
        } catch(err) { alert(`Error: ${err.message}`); }
      }}><Text style={styles.button}>Click here to Open File!</Text></TouchableHighlight>
      <ScrollView contentInsetAdjustmentBehavior="automatic">
        <View style={styles.table}>{aoa.map((row,R) => (
          <View style={styles.row} key={R}>{row.map((cell,C) => (
            <View style={styles.cell} key={C}><Text>{cell}</Text></View>
          ))}</View>
        ))}</View>
      </ScrollView>
    </SafeAreaView>
  );
};

const styles = StyleSheet.create({
  cell: { flex: 4 },
  row: { flexDirection: 'row', justifyContent: 'space-evenly', padding: 10, backgroundColor: 'white', },
  table: { display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'center', },
  outer: { marginTop: 32, paddingHorizontal: 24, },
  title: { fontSize: 24, fontWeight: '600', },
  button: { marginTop: 8, fontSize: 18, fontWeight: '400', },
});

export default App;

5) Test the app:

npx react-native run-macos

Download https://sheetjs.com/pres.xlsx, then click on "open file". Use the file picker to select the pres.xlsx file and the app will show the data.

6) Make a release build:

xcodebuild -workspace macos/SheetJSmacOS.xcworkspace -scheme SheetJSmacOS-macOS -config Release

Reading Files​

Only the main UI thread can show file pickers. This is similar to Web Worker DOM access limitations in the Web platform.

This example defines a PickAndRead function that will show the file picker, read the file contents, and return a Base64 string.

/* the resolve/reject is projected on the JS side as a Promise */
RCT_EXPORT_METHOD(PickAndRead:(RCTPromiseResolveBlock)resolve rejecter:(RCTPromiseRejectBlock)reject)
{
  /* perform file picker action in the UI thread */
  RCTExecuteOnMainQueue(^{
    /* create file picker */
    NSOpenPanel *panel = [NSOpenPanel openPanel];
    [panel setCanChooseDirectories:NO];
    [panel setAllowsMultipleSelection:NO];
    [panel setMessage:@"Select a spreadsheet to read"];

    /* show file picker */
    [panel beginWithCompletionHandler:^(NSInteger result){
      if (result == NSModalResponseOK) {
        /* read data and return base64 string */
        NSURL *selected = [[panel URLs] objectAtIndex:0];
        NSFileHandle *hFile = [NSFileHandle fileHandleForReadingFromURL:selected error:nil];
        if(hFile) {
          NSData *data = [hFile readDataToEndOfFile];
          resolve([data base64EncodedStringWithOptions:0]);
        } else reject(@"read_failure", @"Could not read selected file!", nil);
      } else reject(@"select_failure", @"No file selected!", nil);
    }];
  });
}

This module is referenced in the same way as the React Native Windows example:

import { read } from 'xlsx';
import { getEnforcing } from 'react-native/Libraries/TurboModule/TurboModuleRegistry';
const DocumentPicker = getEnforcing('DocumentPicker');


/* ... in some event handler ... */
async() => {
  const b64 = await DocumentPicker.PickAndRead();
  const wb = read(b64);
  // DO SOMETHING WITH `wb` HERE
}