<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd">
<html>
<head>
<META http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8">
<!--*** This is a generated file. Do not edit. ***-->
<link rel="stylesheet" href="../skin/tigris.css" type="text/css">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="../skin/mysite.css" type="text/css">
<link rel="stylesheet" href="../skin/site.css" type="text/css">
<link media="print" rel="stylesheet" href="../skin/print.css" type="text/css">
<title>Busy Developers' Guide to HSSF and XSSF Features</title>
</head>
<body bgcolor="white" class="composite">
<!--================= start Banner ==================-->
<div id="banner">
<table width="100%" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" summary="banner" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<!--================= start Group Logo ==================-->
<td width="50%" align="left">
<div class="groupLogo">
<a href="http://poi.apache.org"><img border="0" class="logoImage" alt="Apache POI" src="../resources/images/group-logo.jpg"></a>
</div>
</td>
<!--================= end Group Logo ==================-->
<!--================= start Project Logo ==================--><td width="50%" align="right">
<div align="right" class="projectLogo">
<a href="http://poi.apache.org/"><img border="0" class="logoImage" alt="POI" src="../resources/images/project-logo.jpg"></a>
</div>
</td>
<!--================= end Project Logo ==================-->
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<!--================= end Banner ==================-->
<!--================= start Main ==================-->
<table width="100%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" border="0" summary="nav" id="breadcrumbs">
<tbody>
<!--================= start Status ==================-->
<tr class="status">
<td>
<!--================= start BreadCrumb ==================--><a href="http://www.apache.org/">Apache</a> | <a href="http://poi.apache.org/">POI</a><a href=""></a>
<!--================= end BreadCrumb ==================--></td><td id="tabs">
<!--================= start Tabs ==================-->
<div class="tab">
<span class="selectedTab"><a class="base-selected" href="../index.html">Home</a></span> | <script language="Javascript" type="text/javascript">
function printit() {
if (window.print) {
window.print() ;
} else {
var WebBrowser = '<OBJECT ID="WebBrowser1" WIDTH="0" HEIGHT="0" CLASSID="CLSID:8856F961-340A-11D0-A96B-00C04FD705A2"></OBJECT>';
document.body.insertAdjacentHTML('beforeEnd', WebBrowser);
WebBrowser1.ExecWB(6, 2);//Use a 1 vs. a 2 for a prompting dialog box WebBrowser1.outerHTML = "";
}
}
</script><script language="Javascript" type="text/javascript">
var NS = (navigator.appName == "Netscape");
var VERSION = parseInt(navigator.appVersion);
if (VERSION > 3) {
document.write(' <a title="PRINT this page OUT" href="javascript:printit()">PRINT</a>');
}
</script>
</div>
<!--================= end Tabs ==================-->
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<!--================= end Status ==================-->
<table id="main" width="100%" cellpadding="8" cellspacing="0" summary="" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr valign="top">
<!--================= start Menu ==================-->
<td id="leftcol">
<div id="navcolumn">
<div class="menuBar">
<div class="menu">
<span class="menuLabel">Apache POI</span>
<div class="menuItem">
<a href="../index.html">Top</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="menu">
<span class="menuLabel">HSSF+XSSF</span>
<div class="menuItem">
<a href="index.html">Overview</a>
</div>
<div class="menuItem">
<span class="menuSelected">Quick Guide</span>
</div>
<div class="menuItem">
<a href="how-to.html">HOWTO</a>
</div>
<div class="menuItem">
<a href="converting.html">HSSF to SS Converting</a>
</div>
<div class="menuItem">
<a href="formula.html">Formula Support</a>
</div>
<div class="menuItem">
<a href="eval.html">Formula Evaluation</a>
</div>
<div class="menuItem">
<a href="eval-devguide.html">Eval Dev Guide</a>
</div>
<div class="menuItem">
<a href="examples.html">Examples</a>
</div>
<div class="menuItem">
<a href="use-case.html">Use Case</a>
</div>
<div class="menuItem">
<a href="diagrams.html">Pictorial Docs</a>
</div>
<div class="menuItem">
<a href="limitations.html">Limitations</a>
</div>
<div class="menuItem">
<a href="user-defined-functions.html">User Defined Functions</a>
</div>
<div class="menuItem">
<a href="excelant.html">ExcelAnt Tests</a>
</div>
</div>
<div class="menu">
<span class="menuLabel">Contributer's Guide</span>
<div class="menuItem">
<a href="hacking-hssf.html">Hacking HSSF</a>
</div>
<div class="menuItem">
<a href="record-generator.html">Record Generator</a>
</div>
<div class="menuItem">
<a href="chart.html">Charts</a>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<form target="_blank" action="http://www.google.com/search" method="get">
<table summary="search" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0">
<tr>
<td><img height="1" width="1" alt="" src="../skin/images/spacer.gif" class="spacer"></td><td nowrap="nowrap">
Search Apache POI<br>
<input value="poi.apache.org" name="sitesearch" type="hidden"><input size="10" name="q" id="query" type="text"><img height="1" width="5" alt="" src="../skin/images/spacer.gif" class="spacer"><input name="Search" value="GO" type="submit"></td><td><img height="1" width="1" alt="" src="../skin/images/spacer.gif" class="spacer"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="3"><img height="7" width="1" alt="" src="../skin/images/spacer.gif" class="spacer"></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="bottom-left-thick"></td><td bgcolor="#a5b6c6"><img height="1" width="1" alt="" src="../skin/images/spacer.gif" class="spacer"></td><td class="bottom-right-thick"></td>
</tr>
</table>
</form>
</td>
<!--================= end Menu ==================-->
<!--================= start Content ==================--><td>
<div id="bodycol">
<div class="app">
<div align="center">
<h1>Busy Developers' Guide to HSSF and XSSF Features</h1>
</div>
<div class="h3">
<a name="Busy+Developers%27+Guide+to+Features"></a>
<div class="h3">
<h3>Busy Developers' Guide to Features</h3>
</div>
<p>
Want to use HSSF and XSSF read and write spreadsheets in a hurry? This
guide is for you. If you're after more in-depth coverage of the HSSF and
XSSF user-APIs, please consult the <a href="how-to.html">HOWTO</a>
guide as it contains actual descriptions of how to use this stuff.
</p>
<a name="Index+of+Features"></a>
<div class="h4">
<h4>Index of Features</h4>
</div>
<ul>
<li>
<a href="#NewWorkbook">How to create a new workbook</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#NewSheet">How to create a sheet</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#CreateCells">How to create cells</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#CreateDateCells">How to create date cells</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#CellTypes">Working with different types of cells</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#Iterator">Iterate over rows and cells</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#CellContents">Getting the cell contents</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#TextExtraction">Text Extraction</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#FileInputStream">Files vs InputStreams</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#Alignment">Aligning cells</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#Borders">Working with borders</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#FillsAndFrills">Fills and color</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#MergedCells">Merging cells</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#WorkingWithFonts">Working with fonts</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#CustomColors">Custom colors</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#ReadWriteWorkbook">Reading and writing</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#NewLinesInCells">Use newlines in cells.</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#DataFormats">Create user defined data formats</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#FitTo">Fit Sheet to One Page</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#PrintArea2">Set print area for a sheet</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#FooterPageNumbers">Set page numbers on the footer of a sheet</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#ShiftRows">Shift rows</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#SelectSheet">Set a sheet as selected</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#Zoom">Set the zoom magnification for a sheet</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#Splits">Create split and freeze panes</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#Repeating">Repeating rows and columns</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#HeaderFooter">Headers and Footers</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#DrawingShapes">Drawing Shapes</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#StylingShapes">Styling Shapes</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#Graphics2d">Shapes and Graphics2d</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#Outlining">Outlining</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#Images">Images</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#NamedRanges">Named Ranges and Named Cells</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#CellComments">How to set cell comments</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#Autofit">How to adjust column width to fit the contents</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#Hyperlinks">Hyperlinks</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#Validation">Data Validations</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#Embedded">Embedded Objects</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#Autofilter">Autofilters</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#ConditionalFormatting">Conditional Formatting</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#Hiding">Hiding and Un-Hiding Rows</a>
</li>
</ul>
<a name="Features"></a>
<div class="h4">
<h4>Features</h4>
</div>
<a name="NewWorkbook"></a>
<a name="New+Workbook"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>New Workbook</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xls");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
Workbook wb = new XSSFWorkbook();
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xlsx");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="NewSheet"></a>
<a name="New+Sheet"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>New Sheet</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook(); // or new XSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet1 = wb.createSheet("new sheet");
Sheet sheet2 = wb.createSheet("second sheet");
// Note that sheet name is Excel must not exceed 31 characters
// and must not contain any of the any of the following characters:
// 0x0000
// 0x0003
// colon (:)
// backslash (\)
// asterisk (*)
// question mark (?)
// forward slash (/)
// opening square bracket ([)
// closing square bracket (])
// You can use org.apache.poi.ss.util.WorkbookUtil#createSafeSheetName(String nameProposal)}
// for a safe way to create valid names, this utility replaces invalid characters with a space (' ')
String safeName = WorkbookUtil.createSafeSheetName("[O'Brien's sales*?]"); // returns " O'Brien's sales "
Sheet sheet3 = wb.createSheet(safeName);
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xls");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="CreateCells"></a>
<a name="Creating+Cells"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Creating Cells</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
//Workbook wb = new XSSFWorkbook();
CreationHelper createHelper = wb.getCreationHelper();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet("new sheet");
// Create a row and put some cells in it. Rows are 0 based.
Row row = sheet.createRow((short)0);
// Create a cell and put a value in it.
Cell cell = row.createCell(0);
cell.setCellValue(1);
// Or do it on one line.
row.createCell(1).setCellValue(1.2);
row.createCell(2).setCellValue(
createHelper.createRichTextString("This is a string"));
row.createCell(3).setCellValue(true);
// Write the output to a file
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xls");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="CreateDateCells"></a>
<a name="Creating+Date+Cells"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Creating Date Cells</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
//Workbook wb = new XSSFWorkbook();
CreationHelper createHelper = wb.getCreationHelper();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet("new sheet");
// Create a row and put some cells in it. Rows are 0 based.
Row row = sheet.createRow(0);
// Create a cell and put a date value in it. The first cell is not styled
// as a date.
Cell cell = row.createCell(0);
cell.setCellValue(new Date());
// we style the second cell as a date (and time). It is important to
// create a new cell style from the workbook otherwise you can end up
// modifying the built in style and effecting not only this cell but other cells.
CellStyle cellStyle = wb.createCellStyle();
cellStyle.setDataFormat(
createHelper.createDataFormat().getFormat("m/d/yy h:mm"));
cell = row.createCell(1);
cell.setCellValue(new Date());
cell.setCellStyle(cellStyle);
//you can also set date as java.util.Calendar
cell = row.createCell(2);
cell.setCellValue(Calendar.getInstance());
cell.setCellStyle(cellStyle);
// Write the output to a file
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xls");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="CellTypes"></a>
<a name="Working+with+different+types+of+cells"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Working with different types of cells</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet("new sheet");
Row row = sheet.createRow((short)2);
row.createCell(0).setCellValue(1.1);
row.createCell(1).setCellValue(new Date());
row.createCell(2).setCellValue(Calendar.getInstance());
row.createCell(3).setCellValue("a string");
row.createCell(4).setCellValue(true);
row.createCell(5).setCellType(Cell.CELL_TYPE_ERROR);
// Write the output to a file
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xls");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="FileInputStream"></a>
<a name="Files+vs+InputStreams"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Files vs InputStreams</h2>
</div>
<p>When opening a workbook, either a .xls HSSFWorkbook, or a .xlsx
XSSFWorkbook, the Workbook can be loaded from either a <em>File</em>
or an <em>InputStream</em>. Using a <em>File</em> object allows for
lower memory consumption, while an <em>InputStream</em> requires more
memory as it has to buffer the whole file.</p>
<p>If using <em>WorkbookFactory</em>, it's very easy to use one or
the other:</p>
<pre class="code">
// Use a file
Workbook wb = WorkbookFactory.create(new File("MyExcel.xls"));
// Use an InputStream, needs more memory
Workbook wb = WorkbookFactory.create(new FileInputStream("MyExcel.xlsx"));
</pre>
<p>If using <em>HSSFWorkbook</em> or <em>XSSFWorkbook</em> directly,
you should generally go through <em>NPOIFSFileSystem</em> or
<em>OPCPackage</em>, to have full control of the lifecycle (including
closing the file when done):</p>
<pre class="code">
// HSSFWorkbook, File
NPOIFSFileSytem fs = new NPOIFSFileSystem(new File("file.xls"));
HSSFWorkbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook(fs.getRoot());
....
fs.close();
// HSSFWorkbook, InputStream, needs more memory
NPOIFSFileSytem fs = new NPOIFSFileSystem(myInputStream);
HSSFWorkbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook(fs.getRoot());
// XSSFWorkbook, File
OPCPackage pkg = OPCPackage.open(new File("file.xlsx"));
XSSFWorkbook wb = new XSSFWorkbook(pkg);
....
pkg.close();
// XSSFWorkbook, InputStream, needs more memory
OPCPackage pkg = OPCPackage.open(myInputStream);
XSSFWorkbook wb = new XSSFWorkbook(pkg);
....
pkg.close();
</pre>
<a name="Alignment"></a>
<a name="Demonstrates+various+alignment+options"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Demonstrates various alignment options</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
Workbook wb = new XSSFWorkbook(); //or new HSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet();
Row row = sheet.createRow((short) 2);
row.setHeightInPoints(30);
createCell(wb, row, (short) 0, CellStyle.ALIGN_CENTER, CellStyle.VERTICAL_BOTTOM);
createCell(wb, row, (short) 1, CellStyle.ALIGN_CENTER_SELECTION, CellStyle.VERTICAL_BOTTOM);
createCell(wb, row, (short) 2, CellStyle.ALIGN_FILL, CellStyle.VERTICAL_CENTER);
createCell(wb, row, (short) 3, CellStyle.ALIGN_GENERAL, CellStyle.VERTICAL_CENTER);
createCell(wb, row, (short) 4, CellStyle.ALIGN_JUSTIFY, CellStyle.VERTICAL_JUSTIFY);
createCell(wb, row, (short) 5, CellStyle.ALIGN_LEFT, CellStyle.VERTICAL_TOP);
createCell(wb, row, (short) 6, CellStyle.ALIGN_RIGHT, CellStyle.VERTICAL_TOP);
// Write the output to a file
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("xssf-align.xlsx");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
}
/**
* Creates a cell and aligns it a certain way.
*
* @param wb the workbook
* @param row the row to create the cell in
* @param column the column number to create the cell in
* @param halign the horizontal alignment for the cell.
*/
private static void createCell(Workbook wb, Row row, short column, short halign, short valign) {
Cell cell = row.createCell(column);
cell.setCellValue("Align It");
CellStyle cellStyle = wb.createCellStyle();
cellStyle.setAlignment(halign);
cellStyle.setVerticalAlignment(valign);
cell.setCellStyle(cellStyle);
}
</pre>
<a name="Borders"></a>
<a name="Working+with+borders"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Working with borders</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet("new sheet");
// Create a row and put some cells in it. Rows are 0 based.
Row row = sheet.createRow(1);
// Create a cell and put a value in it.
Cell cell = row.createCell(1);
cell.setCellValue(4);
// Style the cell with borders all around.
CellStyle style = wb.createCellStyle();
style.setBorderBottom(CellStyle.BORDER_THIN);
style.setBottomBorderColor(IndexedColors.BLACK.getIndex());
style.setBorderLeft(CellStyle.BORDER_THIN);
style.setLeftBorderColor(IndexedColors.GREEN.getIndex());
style.setBorderRight(CellStyle.BORDER_THIN);
style.setRightBorderColor(IndexedColors.BLUE.getIndex());
style.setBorderTop(CellStyle.BORDER_MEDIUM_DASHED);
style.setTopBorderColor(IndexedColors.BLACK.getIndex());
cell.setCellStyle(style);
// Write the output to a file
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xls");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="Iterator"></a>
<a name="Iterate+over+rows+and+cells"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Iterate over rows and cells</h2>
</div>
<p>Sometimes, you'd like to just iterate over all the rows in
a sheet, or all the cells in a row. This is possible with
a simple for loop.</p>
<p>Luckily, this is very easy. Row defines a
<em>CellIterator</em> inner class to handle iterating over
the cells (get one with a call to <em>row.cellIterator()</em>),
and Sheet provides a <em>rowIterator()</em> method to
give an iterator over all the rows. These implement the
<em>java.lang.Iterable</em> interface to allow foreach loops.</p>
<pre class="code">
Sheet sheet = wb.getSheetAt(0);
for (Row row : sheet) {
for (Cell cell : row) {
// Do something here
}
}
</pre>
<a name="Iterate+over+cells%2C+with+control+of+missing+%2F+blank+cells"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Iterate over cells, with control of missing / blank cells</h2>
</div>
<p>In some cases, when iterating, you need full control over how
missing or blank cells are treated, and you need to ensure you
visit every cell and not just those defined in the file. (The
CellIterator will only return the cells defined in the file, which
is largely those with values or stylings, but it depends on Excel).</p>
<p>In cases such as these, you should fetch the first and last column
information for a row, then call <em>getCell(int, MissingCellPolicy)</em>
to fetch the cell. Use a
<a href="../apidocs/org/apache/poi/ss/usermodel/Row.MissingCellPolicy.html">MissingCellPolicy</a>
to control how blank or null cells are handled.</p>
<pre class="code">
// Decide which rows to process
int rowStart = Math.min(15, sheet.getFirstRowNum());
int rowEnd = Math.max(1400, sheet.getLastRowNum());
for (int rowNum = rowStart; rowNum < rowEnd; rowNum++) {
Row r = sheet.getRow(rowNum);
int lastColumn = Math.max(r.getLastCellNum(), MY_MINIMUM_COLUMN_COUNT);
for (int cn = 0; cn < lastColumn; cn++) {
Cell c = r.getCell(cn, Row.RETURN_BLANK_AS_NULL);
if (c == null) {
// The spreadsheet is empty in this cell
} else {
// Do something useful with the cell's contents
}
}
}
</pre>
<a name="CellContents"></a>
<a name="Getting+the+cell+contents"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Getting the cell contents</h2>
</div>
<p>To get the contents of a cell, you first need to
know what kind of cell it is (asking a string cell
for its numeric contents will get you a
NumberFormatException for example). So, you will
want to switch on the cell's type, and then call
the appropriate getter for that cell.</p>
<p>In the code below, we loop over every cell
in one sheet, print out the cell's reference
(eg A3), and then the cell's contents.</p>
<pre class="code">
// import org.apache.poi.ss.usermodel.*;
Sheet sheet1 = wb.getSheetAt(0);
for (Row row : sheet1) {
for (Cell cell : row) {
CellReference cellRef = new CellReference(row.getRowNum(), cell.getColumnIndex());
System.out.print(cellRef.formatAsString());
System.out.print(" - ");
switch (cell.getCellType()) {
case Cell.CELL_TYPE_STRING:
System.out.println(cell.getRichStringCellValue().getString());
break;
case Cell.CELL_TYPE_NUMERIC:
if (DateUtil.isCellDateFormatted(cell)) {
System.out.println(cell.getDateCellValue());
} else {
System.out.println(cell.getNumericCellValue());
}
break;
case Cell.CELL_TYPE_BOOLEAN:
System.out.println(cell.getBooleanCellValue());
break;
case Cell.CELL_TYPE_FORMULA:
System.out.println(cell.getCellFormula());
break;
default:
System.out.println();
}
}
}
</pre>
<a name="TextExtraction"></a>
<a name="Text+Extraction"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Text Extraction</h2>
</div>
<p>For most text extraction requirements, the standard
ExcelExtractor class should provide all you need.</p>
<pre class="code">
InputStream inp = new FileInputStream("workbook.xls");
HSSFWorkbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook(new POIFSFileSystem(inp));
ExcelExtractor extractor = new ExcelExtractor(wb);
extractor.setFormulasNotResults(true);
extractor.setIncludeSheetNames(false);
String text = extractor.getText();
</pre>
<p>For very fancy text extraction, XLS to CSV etc,
take a look at
<em>/src/examples/src/org/apache/poi/hssf/eventusermodel/examples/XLS2CSVmra.java</em>
</p>
<a name="FillsAndFrills"></a>
<a name="Fills+and+colors"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Fills and colors</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new XSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet("new sheet");
// Create a row and put some cells in it. Rows are 0 based.
Row row = sheet.createRow((short) 1);
// Aqua background
CellStyle style = wb.createCellStyle();
style.setFillBackgroundColor(IndexedColors.AQUA.getIndex());
style.setFillPattern(CellStyle.BIG_SPOTS);
Cell cell = row.createCell((short) 1);
cell.setCellValue("X");
cell.setCellStyle(style);
// Orange "foreground", foreground being the fill foreground not the font color.
style = wb.createCellStyle();
style.setFillForegroundColor(IndexedColors.ORANGE.getIndex());
style.setFillPattern(CellStyle.SOLID_FOREGROUND);
cell = row.createCell((short) 2);
cell.setCellValue("X");
cell.setCellStyle(style);
// Write the output to a file
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xls");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="MergedCells"></a>
<a name="Merging+cells"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Merging cells</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet("new sheet");
Row row = sheet.createRow((short) 1);
Cell cell = row.createCell((short) 1);
cell.setCellValue("This is a test of merging");
sheet.addMergedRegion(new CellRangeAddress(
1, //first row (0-based)
1, //last row (0-based)
1, //first column (0-based)
2 //last column (0-based)
));
// Write the output to a file
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xls");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="WorkingWithFonts"></a>
<a name="Working+with+fonts"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Working with fonts</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet("new sheet");
// Create a row and put some cells in it. Rows are 0 based.
Row row = sheet.createRow(1);
// Create a new font and alter it.
Font font = wb.createFont();
font.setFontHeightInPoints((short)24);
font.setFontName("Courier New");
font.setItalic(true);
font.setStrikeout(true);
// Fonts are set into a style so create a new one to use.
CellStyle style = wb.createCellStyle();
style.setFont(font);
// Create a cell and put a value in it.
Cell cell = row.createCell(1);
cell.setCellValue("This is a test of fonts");
cell.setCellStyle(style);
// Write the output to a file
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xls");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<p>
Note, the maximum number of unique fonts in a workbook is limited to 32767 (
the maximum positive short). You should re-use fonts in your apllications instead of
creating a font for each cell.
Examples:
</p>
<p>
<strong>Wrong:</strong>
</p>
<pre class="code">
for (int i = 0; i < 10000; i++) {
Row row = sheet.createRow(i);
Cell cell = row.createCell((short) 0);
CellStyle style = workbook.createCellStyle();
Font font = workbook.createFont();
font.setBoldweight(Font.BOLDWEIGHT_BOLD);
style.setFont(font);
cell.setCellStyle(style);
}
</pre>
<p>
<strong>Correct:</strong>
</p>
<pre class="code">
CellStyle style = workbook.createCellStyle();
Font font = workbook.createFont();
font.setBoldweight(Font.BOLDWEIGHT_BOLD);
style.setFont(font);
for (int i = 0; i < 10000; i++) {
Row row = sheet.createRow(i);
Cell cell = row.createCell((short) 0);
cell.setCellStyle(style);
}
</pre>
<a name="CustomColors"></a>
<a name="Custom+colors"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Custom colors</h2>
</div>
<p>
<strong>HSSF:</strong>
</p>
<pre class="code">
HSSFWorkbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
HSSFSheet sheet = wb.createSheet();
HSSFRow row = sheet.createRow((short) 0);
HSSFCell cell = row.createCell((short) 0);
cell.setCellValue("Default Palette");
//apply some colors from the standard palette,
// as in the previous examples.
//we'll use red text on a lime background
HSSFCellStyle style = wb.createCellStyle();
style.setFillForegroundColor(HSSFColor.LIME.index);
style.setFillPattern(HSSFCellStyle.SOLID_FOREGROUND);
HSSFFont font = wb.createFont();
font.setColor(HSSFColor.RED.index);
style.setFont(font);
cell.setCellStyle(style);
//save with the default palette
FileOutputStream out = new FileOutputStream("default_palette.xls");
wb.write(out);
out.close();
//now, let's replace RED and LIME in the palette
// with a more attractive combination
// (lovingly borrowed from freebsd.org)
cell.setCellValue("Modified Palette");
//creating a custom palette for the workbook
HSSFPalette palette = wb.getCustomPalette();
//replacing the standard red with freebsd.org red
palette.setColorAtIndex(HSSFColor.RED.index,
(byte) 153, //RGB red (0-255)
(byte) 0, //RGB green
(byte) 0 //RGB blue
);
//replacing lime with freebsd.org gold
palette.setColorAtIndex(HSSFColor.LIME.index, (byte) 255, (byte) 204, (byte) 102);
//save with the modified palette
// note that wherever we have previously used RED or LIME, the
// new colors magically appear
out = new FileOutputStream("modified_palette.xls");
wb.write(out);
out.close();
</pre>
<p>
<strong>XSSF:</strong>
</p>
<pre class="code">
XSSFWorkbook wb = new XSSFWorkbook();
XSSFSheet sheet = wb.createSheet();
XSSFRow row = sheet.createRow(0);
XSSFCell cell = row.createCell( 0);
cell.setCellValue("custom XSSF colors");
XSSFCellStyle style1 = wb.createCellStyle();
style1.setFillForegroundColor(new XSSFColor(new java.awt.Color(128, 0, 128)));
style1.setFillPattern(CellStyle.SOLID_FOREGROUND);
</pre>
<a name="ReadWriteWorkbook"></a>
<a name="Reading+and+Rewriting+Workbooks"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Reading and Rewriting Workbooks</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
InputStream inp = new FileInputStream("workbook.xls");
//InputStream inp = new FileInputStream("workbook.xlsx");
Workbook wb = WorkbookFactory.create(inp);
Sheet sheet = wb.getSheetAt(0);
Row row = sheet.getRow(2);
Cell cell = row.getCell(3);
if (cell == null)
cell = row.createCell(3);
cell.setCellType(Cell.CELL_TYPE_STRING);
cell.setCellValue("a test");
// Write the output to a file
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xls");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="NewLinesInCells"></a>
<a name="Using+newlines+in+cells"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Using newlines in cells</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new XSSFWorkbook(); //or new HSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet();
Row row = sheet.createRow(2);
Cell cell = row.createCell(2);
cell.setCellValue("Use \n with word wrap on to create a new line");
//to enable newlines you need set a cell styles with wrap=true
CellStyle cs = wb.createCellStyle();
cs.setWrapText(true);
cell.setCellStyle(cs);
//increase row height to accomodate two lines of text
row.setHeightInPoints((2*sheet.getDefaultRowHeightInPoints()));
//adjust column width to fit the content
sheet.autoSizeColumn((short)2);
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("ooxml-newlines.xlsx");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="DataFormats"></a>
<a name="Data+Formats"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Data Formats</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet("format sheet");
CellStyle style;
DataFormat format = wb.createDataFormat();
Row row;
Cell cell;
short rowNum = 0;
short colNum = 0;
row = sheet.createRow(rowNum++);
cell = row.createCell(colNum);
cell.setCellValue(11111.25);
style = wb.createCellStyle();
style.setDataFormat(format.getFormat("0.0"));
cell.setCellStyle(style);
row = sheet.createRow(rowNum++);
cell = row.createCell(colNum);
cell.setCellValue(11111.25);
style = wb.createCellStyle();
style.setDataFormat(format.getFormat("#,##0.0000"));
cell.setCellStyle(style);
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xls");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="FitTo"></a>
<a name="Fit+Sheet+to+One+Page"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Fit Sheet to One Page</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet("format sheet");
PrintSetup ps = sheet.getPrintSetup();
sheet.setAutobreaks(true);
ps.setFitHeight((short)1);
ps.setFitWidth((short)1);
// Create various cells and rows for spreadsheet.
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xls");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="PrintArea2"></a>
<a name="Set+Print+Area"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Set Print Area</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet("Sheet1");
//sets the print area for the first sheet
wb.setPrintArea(0, "$A$1:$C$2");
//Alternatively:
wb.setPrintArea(
0, //sheet index
0, //start column
1, //end column
0, //start row
0 //end row
);
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xls");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="FooterPageNumbers"></a>
<a name="Set+Page+Numbers+on+Footer"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Set Page Numbers on Footer</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook(); // or new XSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet("format sheet");
Footer footer = sheet.getFooter();
footer.setRight( "Page " + HeaderFooter.page() + " of " + HeaderFooter.numPages() );
// Create various cells and rows for spreadsheet.
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xls");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="ConvenienceFunctions"></a>
<a name="Using+the+Convenience+Functions"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Using the Convenience Functions</h2>
</div>
<p>
The convenience functions provide
utility features such as setting borders around merged
regions and changing style attributes without explicitly
creating new styles.
</p>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook(); // or new XSSFWorkbook()
Sheet sheet1 = wb.createSheet( "new sheet" );
// Create a merged region
Row row = sheet1.createRow( 1 );
Row row2 = sheet1.createRow( 2 );
Cell cell = row.createCell( 1 );
cell.setCellValue( "This is a test of merging" );
CellRangeAddress region = CellRangeAddress.valueOf("B2:E5");
sheet1.addMergedRegion( region );
// Set the border and border colors.
final short borderMediumDashed = CellStyle.BORDER_MEDIUM_DASHED;
RegionUtil.setBorderBottom( borderMediumDashed,
region, sheet1, wb );
RegionUtil.setBorderTop( borderMediumDashed,
region, sheet1, wb );
RegionUtil.setBorderLeft( borderMediumDashed,
region, sheet1, wb );
RegionUtil.setBorderRight( borderMediumDashed,
region, sheet1, wb );
RegionUtil.setBottomBorderColor(IndexedColors.AQUA.getIndex(), region, sheet1, wb);
RegionUtil.setTopBorderColor(IndexedColors.AQUA.getIndex(), region, sheet1, wb);
RegionUtil.setLeftBorderColor(IndexedColors.AQUA.getIndex(), region, sheet1, wb);
RegionUtil.setRightBorderColor(IndexedColors.AQUA.getIndex(), region, sheet1, wb);
// Shows some usages of HSSFCellUtil
CellStyle style = wb.createCellStyle();
style.setIndention((short)4);
CellUtil.createCell(row, 8, "This is the value of the cell", style);
Cell cell2 = CellUtil.createCell( row2, 8, "This is the value of the cell");
CellUtil.setAlignment(cell2, wb, CellStyle.ALIGN_CENTER);
// Write out the workbook
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream( "workbook.xls" );
wb.write( fileOut );
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="ShiftRows"></a>
<a name="Shift+rows+up+or+down+on+a+sheet"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Shift rows up or down on a sheet</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet("row sheet");
// Create various cells and rows for spreadsheet.
// Shift rows 6 - 11 on the spreadsheet to the top (rows 0 - 5)
sheet.shiftRows(5, 10, -5);
</pre>
<a name="SelectSheet"></a>
<a name="Set+a+sheet+as+selected"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Set a sheet as selected</h2>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet("row sheet");
sheet.setSelected(true);
</pre>
<a name="Zoom"></a>
<a name="Set+the+zoom+magnification"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Set the zoom magnification</h2>
</div>
<p>
The zoom is expressed as a fraction. For example to
express a zoom of 75% use 3 for the numerator and
4 for the denominator.
</p>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet1 = wb.createSheet("new sheet");
sheet1.setZoom(3,4); // 75 percent magnification
</pre>
<a name="Splits"></a>
<a name="Splits+and+freeze+panes"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Splits and freeze panes</h2>
</div>
<p>
There are two types of panes you can create; freeze panes and split panes.
</p>
<p>
A freeze pane is split by columns and rows. You create
a freeze pane using the following mechanism:
</p>
<p>
sheet1.createFreezePane( 3, 2, 3, 2 );
</p>
<p>
The first two parameters are the columns and rows you
wish to split by. The second two parameters indicate
the cells that are visible in the bottom right quadrant.
</p>
<p>
Split pains appear differently. The split area is
divided into four separate work area's. The split
occurs at the pixel level and the user is able to
adjust the split by dragging it to a new position.
</p>
<p>
Split panes are created with the following call:
</p>
<p>
sheet2.createSplitPane( 2000, 2000, 0, 0, Sheet.PANE_LOWER_LEFT );
</p>
<p>
The first parameter is the x position of the split.
This is in 1/20th of a point. A point in this case
seems to equate to a pixel. The second parameter is
the y position of the split. Again in 1/20th of a point.
</p>
<p>
The last parameter indicates which pane currently has
the focus. This will be one of Sheet.PANE_LOWER_LEFT,
PANE_LOWER_RIGHT, PANE_UPPER_RIGHT or PANE_UPPER_LEFT.
</p>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet1 = wb.createSheet("new sheet");
Sheet sheet2 = wb.createSheet("second sheet");
Sheet sheet3 = wb.createSheet("third sheet");
Sheet sheet4 = wb.createSheet("fourth sheet");
// Freeze just one row
sheet1.createFreezePane( 0, 1, 0, 1 );
// Freeze just one column
sheet2.createFreezePane( 1, 0, 1, 0 );
// Freeze the columns and rows (forget about scrolling position of the lower right quadrant).
sheet3.createFreezePane( 2, 2 );
// Create a split with the lower left side being the active quadrant
sheet4.createSplitPane( 2000, 2000, 0, 0, Sheet.PANE_LOWER_LEFT );
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xls");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="Repeating"></a>
<a name="Repeating+rows+and+columns"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Repeating rows and columns</h2>
</div>
<p>
It's possible to set up repeating rows and columns in
your printouts by using the setRepeatingRows() and
setRepeatingColumns() methods in the Sheet class.
</p>
<p>
These methods expect a CellRangeAddress parameter
which specifies the range for the rows or columns to
repeat.
For setRepeatingRows(), it should specify a range of
rows to repeat, with the column part spanning all
columns.
For setRepeatingColums(), it should specify a range of
columns to repeat, with the row part spanning all
rows.
If the parameter is null, the repeating rows or columns
will be removed.
</p>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook(); // or new XSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet1 = wb.createSheet("Sheet1");
Sheet sheet2 = wb.createSheet("Sheet2");
// Set the rows to repeat from row 4 to 5 on the first sheet.
sheet1.setRepeatingRows(CellRangeAddress.valueOf("4:5"));
// Set the columns to repeat from column A to C on the second sheet
sheet2.setRepeatingColumns(CellRangeAddress.valueOf("A:C"));
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xls");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="HeaderFooter"></a>
<a name="Headers+and+Footers"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Headers and Footers</h2>
</div>
<p>
Example is for headers but applies directly to footers.
</p>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet("new sheet");
Header header = sheet.getHeader();
header.setCenter("Center Header");
header.setLeft("Left Header");
header.setRight(HSSFHeader.font("Stencil-Normal", "Italic") +
HSSFHeader.fontSize((short) 16) + "Right w/ Stencil-Normal Italic font and size 16");
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream("workbook.xls");
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<a name="DrawingShapes"></a>
<a name="Drawing+Shapes"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Drawing Shapes</h2>
</div>
<p>
POI supports drawing shapes using the Microsoft Office
drawing tools. Shapes on a sheet are organized in a
hiearchy of groups and and shapes. The top-most shape
is the patriarch. This is not visisble on the sheet
at all. To start drawing you need to call <span class="codefrag">createPatriarch</span>
on the <span class="codefrag">HSSFSheet</span> class. This has the
effect erasing any other shape information stored
in that sheet. By default POI will leave shape
records alone in the sheet unless you make a call to
this method.
</p>
<p>
To create a shape you have to go through the following
steps:
</p>
<ol>
<li>Create the patriarch.</li>
<li>Create an anchor to position the shape on the sheet.</li>
<li>Ask the patriarch to create the shape.</li>
<li>Set the shape type (line, oval, rectangle etc...)</li>
<li>Set any other style details converning the shape. (eg:
line thickness, etc...)</li>
</ol>
<pre class="code">
HSSFPatriarch patriarch = sheet.createDrawingPatriarch();
a = new HSSFClientAnchor( 0, 0, 1023, 255, (short) 1, 0, (short) 1, 0 );
HSSFSimpleShape shape1 = patriarch.createSimpleShape(a1);
shape1.setShapeType(HSSFSimpleShape.OBJECT_TYPE_LINE);
</pre>
<p>
Text boxes are created using a different call:
</p>
<pre class="code">
HSSFTextbox textbox1 = patriarch.createTextbox(
new HSSFClientAnchor(0,0,0,0,(short)1,1,(short)2,2));
textbox1.setString(new HSSFRichTextString("This is a test") );
</pre>
<p>
It's possible to use different fonts to style parts of
the text in the textbox. Here's how:
</p>
<pre class="code">
HSSFFont font = wb.createFont();
font.setItalic(true);
font.setUnderline(HSSFFont.U_DOUBLE);
HSSFRichTextString string = new HSSFRichTextString("Woo!!!");
string.applyFont(2,5,font);
textbox.setString(string );
</pre>
<p>
Just as can be done manually using Excel, it is possible
to group shapes together. This is done by calling
<span class="codefrag">createGroup()</span> and then creating the shapes
using those groups.
</p>
<p>
It's also possible to create groups within groups.
</p>
<div class="frame warning">
<div class="label">Warning</div>
<div class="content">Any group you create should contain at least two
other shapes or subgroups.</div>
</div>
<p>
Here's how to create a shape group:
</p>
<pre class="code">
// Create a shape group.
HSSFShapeGroup group = patriarch.createGroup(
new HSSFClientAnchor(0,0,900,200,(short)2,2,(short)2,2));
// Create a couple of lines in the group.
HSSFSimpleShape shape1 = group.createShape(new HSSFChildAnchor(3,3,500,500));
shape1.setShapeType(HSSFSimpleShape.OBJECT_TYPE_LINE);
( (HSSFChildAnchor) shape1.getAnchor() ).setAnchor((short)3,3,500,500);
HSSFSimpleShape shape2 = group.createShape(new HSSFChildAnchor((short)1,200,400,600));
shape2.setShapeType(HSSFSimpleShape.OBJECT_TYPE_LINE);
</pre>
<p>
If you're being observant you'll noticed that the shapes
that are added to the group use a new type of anchor:
the <span class="codefrag">HSSFChildAnchor</span>. What happens is that
the created group has it's own coordinate space for
shapes that are placed into it. POI defaults this to
(0,0,1023,255) but you are able to change it as desired.
Here's how:
</p>
<pre class="code">
myGroup.setCoordinates(10,10,20,20); // top-left, bottom-right
</pre>
<p>
If you create a group within a group it's also going
to have it's own coordinate space.
</p>
<a name="StylingShapes"></a>
<a name="Styling+Shapes"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Styling Shapes</h2>
</div>
<p>
By default shapes can look a little plain. It's possible
to apply different styles to the shapes however. The
sorts of things that can currently be done are:
</p>
<ul>
<li>Change the fill color.</li>
<li>Make a shape with no fill color.</li>
<li>Change the thickness of the lines.</li>
<li>Change the style of the lines. Eg: dashed, dotted.</li>
<li>Change the line color.</li>
</ul>
<p>
Here's an examples of how this is done:
</p>
<pre class="code">
HSSFSimpleShape s = patriarch.createSimpleShape(a);
s.setShapeType(HSSFSimpleShape.OBJECT_TYPE_OVAL);
s.setLineStyleColor(10,10,10);
s.setFillColor(90,10,200);
s.setLineWidth(HSSFShape.LINEWIDTH_ONE_PT * 3);
s.setLineStyle(HSSFShape.LINESTYLE_DOTSYS);
</pre>
<a name="Graphics2d"></a>
<a name="Shapes+and+Graphics2d"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Shapes and Graphics2d</h2>
</div>
<p>
While the native POI shape drawing commands are the
recommended way to draw shapes in a shape it's sometimes
desirable to use a standard API for compatibility with
external libraries. With this in mind we created some
wrappers for <span class="codefrag">Graphics</span> and <span class="codefrag">Graphics2d</span>.
</p>
<div class="frame warning">
<div class="label">Warning</div>
<div class="content">
It's important to not however before continuing that
<span class="codefrag">Graphics2d</span> is a poor match to the capabilities
of the Microsoft Office drawing commands. The older
<span class="codefrag">Graphics</span> class offers a closer match but is
still a square peg in a round hole.
</div>
</div>
<p>
All Graphics commands are issued into an <span class="codefrag">HSSFShapeGroup</span>.
Here's how it's done:
</p>
<pre class="code">
a = new HSSFClientAnchor( 0, 0, 1023, 255, (short) 1, 0, (short) 1, 0 );
group = patriarch.createGroup( a );
group.setCoordinates( 0, 0, 80 * 4 , 12 * 23 );
float verticalPointsPerPixel = a.getAnchorHeightInPoints(sheet) / (float)Math.abs(group.getY2() - group.getY1());
g = new EscherGraphics( group, wb, Color.black, verticalPointsPerPixel );
g2d = new EscherGraphics2d( g );
drawChemicalStructure( g2d );
</pre>
<p>
The first thing we do is create the group and set it's coordinates
to match what we plan to draw. Next we calculate a reasonable
fontSizeMultipler then create the EscherGraphics object.
Since what we really want is a <span class="codefrag">Graphics2d</span>
object we create an EscherGraphics2d object and pass in
the graphics object we created. Finally we call a routine
that draws into the EscherGraphics2d object.
</p>
<p>
The vertical points per pixel deserves some more explanation.
One of the difficulties in converting Graphics calls
into escher drawing calls is that Excel does not have
the concept of absolute pixel positions. It measures
it's cell widths in 'characters' and the cell heights in points.
Unfortunately it's not defined exactly what type of character it's
measuring. Presumably this is due to the fact that the Excel will be
using different fonts on different platforms or even within the same
platform.
</p>
<p>
Because of this constraint we've had to implement the concept of a
verticalPointsPerPixel. This the amount the font should be scaled by when
you issue commands such as drawString(). To calculate this value
use the follow formula:
</p>
<pre class="code">
multipler = groupHeightInPoints / heightOfGroup
</pre>
<p>
The height of the group is calculated fairly simply by calculating the
difference between the y coordinates of the bounding box of the shape. The
height of the group can be calculated by using a convenience called
<span class="codefrag">HSSFClientAnchor.getAnchorHeightInPoints()</span>.
</p>
<p>
Many of the functions supported by the graphics classes
are not complete. Here's some of the functions that are known
to work.
</p>
<ul>
<li>fillRect()</li>
<li>fillOval()</li>
<li>drawString()</li>
<li>drawOval()</li>
<li>drawLine()</li>
<li>clearRect()</li>
</ul>
<p>
Functions that are not supported will return and log a message
using the POI logging infrastructure (disabled by default).
</p>
<a name="Outlining"></a>
<a name="Outlining-N103E0"></a>
<div class="h2">
<h2>Outlining</h2>
</div>
<p>
Outlines are great for grouping sections of information
together and can be added easily to columns and rows
using the POI API. Here's how:
</p>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet1 = wb.createSheet("new sheet");
sheet1.groupRow( 5, 14 );
sheet1.groupRow( 7, 14 );
sheet1.groupRow( 16, 19 );
sheet1.groupColumn( (short)4, (short)7 );
sheet1.groupColumn( (short)9, (short)12 );
sheet1.groupColumn( (short)10, (short)11 );
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream(filename);
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<p>
To collapse (or expand) an outline use the following calls:
</p>
<pre class="code">
sheet1.setRowGroupCollapsed( 7, true );
sheet1.setColumnGroupCollapsed( (short)4, true );
</pre>
<p>
The row/column you choose should contain an already
created group. It can be anywhere within the group.
</p>
<a name="Images"></a>
<a name="Images-N103FD"></a>
<div class="h3">
<h3>Images</h3>
</div>
<p>
Images are part of the drawing support. To add an image just
call <span class="codefrag">createPicture()</span> on the drawing patriarch.
At the time of writing the following types are supported:
</p>
<ul>
<li>PNG</li>
<li>JPG</li>
<li>DIB</li>
</ul>
<p>
It should be noted that any existing drawings may be erased
once you add a image to a sheet.
</p>
<pre class="code">
//create a new workbook
Workbook wb = new XSSFWorkbook(); //or new HSSFWorkbook();
//add picture data to this workbook.
InputStream is = new FileInputStream("image1.jpeg");
byte[] bytes = IOUtils.toByteArray(is);
int pictureIdx = wb.addPicture(bytes, Workbook.PICTURE_TYPE_JPEG);
is.close();
CreationHelper helper = wb.getCreationHelper();
//create sheet
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet();
// Create the drawing patriarch. This is the top level container for all shapes.
Drawing drawing = sheet.createDrawingPatriarch();
//add a picture shape
ClientAnchor anchor = helper.createClientAnchor();
//set top-left corner of the picture,
//subsequent call of Picture#resize() will operate relative to it
anchor.setCol1(3);
anchor.setRow1(2);
Picture pict = drawing.createPicture(anchor, pictureIdx);
//auto-size picture relative to its top-left corner
pict.resize();
//save workbook
String file = "picture.xls";
if(wb instanceof XSSFWorkbook) file += "x";
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream(file);
wb.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
</pre>
<div class="frame warning">
<div class="label">Warning</div>
<div class="content">
Picture.resize() works only for JPEG and PNG. Other formats are not yet supported.
</div>
</div>
<p>Reading images from a workbook:</p>
<pre class="code">
List lst = workbook.getAllPictures();
for (Iterator it = lst.iterator(); it.hasNext(); ) {
PictureData pict = (PictureData)it.next();
String ext = pict.suggestFileExtension();
byte[] data = pict.getData();
if (ext.equals("jpeg")){
FileOutputStream out = new FileOutputStream("pict.jpg");
out.write(data);
out.close();
}
}
</pre>
<a name="NamedRanges"></a>
<a name="Named+Ranges+and+Named+Cells"></a>
<div class="h3">
<h3>Named Ranges and Named Cells</h3>
</div>
<p>
Named Range is a way to refer to a group of cells by a name. Named Cell is a
degenerate case of Named Range in that the 'group of cells' contains exactly one
cell. You can create as well as refer to cells in a workbook by their named range.
When working with Named Ranges, the classes: org.apache.poi.hssf.util.CellReference and
& org.apache.poi.hssf.util.AreaReference are used (these
work for both XSSF and HSSF, despite the package name).
</p>
<p>
Creating Named Range / Named Cell
</p>
<pre class="code">
// setup code
String sname = "TestSheet", cname = "TestName", cvalue = "TestVal";
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet(sname);
sheet.createRow(0).createCell((short) 0).setCellValue(cvalue);
// 1. create named range for a single cell using areareference
Name namedCell = wb.createName();
namedCell.setNameName(cname);
String reference = sname+"!A1:A1"; // area reference
namedCell.setRefersToFormula(reference);
// 2. create named range for a single cell using cellreference
Name namedCel2 = wb.createName();
namedCel2.setNameName(cname);
String reference = sname+"!A1"; // cell reference
namedCel2.setRefersToFormula(reference);
// 3. create named range for an area using AreaReference
Name namedCel3 = wb.createName();
namedCel3.setNameName(cname);
String reference = sname+"!A1:C5"; // area reference
namedCel3.setRefersToFormula(reference);
// 4. create named formula
Name namedCel4 = wb.createName();
namedCel4.setNameName("my_sum");
namedCel4.setRefersToFormula("SUM(sname+!$I$2:$I$6)");
</pre>
<p>
Reading from Named Range / Named Cell
</p>
<pre class="code">
// setup code
String cname = "TestName";
Workbook wb = getMyWorkbook(); // retrieve workbook
// retrieve the named range
int namedCellIdx = wb.getNameIndex(cellName);
Name aNamedCell = wb.getNameAt(namedCellIdx);
// retrieve the cell at the named range and test its contents
AreaReference aref = new AreaReference(aNamedCell.getRefersToFormula());
CellReference[] crefs = aref.getAllReferencedCells();
for (int i=0; i<crefs.length; i++) {
Sheet s = wb.getSheet(crefs[i].getSheetName());
Row r = sheet.getRow(crefs[i].getRow());
Cell c = r.getCell(crefs[i].getCol());
// extract the cell contents based on cell type etc.
}
</pre>
<p>
Reading from non-contiguous Named Ranges
</p>
<pre class="code">
// Setup code
String cname = "TestName";
Workbook wb = getMyWorkbook(); // retrieve workbook
// Retrieve the named range
// Will be something like "$C$10,$D$12:$D$14";
int namedCellIdx = wb.getNameIndex(cellName);
Name aNamedCell = wb.getNameAt(namedCellIdx);
// Retrieve the cell at the named range and test its contents
// Will get back one AreaReference for C10, and
// another for D12 to D14
AreaReference[] arefs = AreaReference.generateContiguous(aNamedCell.getRefersToFormula());
for (int i=0; i<arefs.length; i++) {
// Only get the corners of the Area
// (use arefs[i].getAllReferencedCells() to get all cells)
CellReference[] crefs = arefs[i].getCells();
for (int j=0; j<crefs.length; j++) {
// Check it turns into real stuff
Sheet s = wb.getSheet(crefs[j].getSheetName());
Row r = s.getRow(crefs[j].getRow());
Cell c = r.getCell(crefs[j].getCol());
// Do something with this corner cell
}
}
</pre>
<p>
Note, when a cell is deleted, Excel does not delete the
attached named range. As result, workbook can contain
named ranges that point to cells that no longer exist.
You should check the validity of a reference before
constructing AreaReference
</p>
<pre class="code">
if(name.isDeleted()){
//named range points to a deleted cell.
} else {
AreaReference ref = new AreaReference(name.getRefersToFormula());
}
</pre>
<a name="CellComments"></a>
<a name="Cell+Comments+-+HSSF+and+XSSF"></a>
<div class="h3">
<h3>Cell Comments - HSSF and XSSF</h3>
</div>
<p>
A comment is a rich text note that is attached to &
associated with a cell, separate from other cell content.
Comment content is stored separate from the cell, and is displayed in a drawing object (like a text box)
that is separate from, but associated with, a cell
</p>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new XSSFWorkbook(); //or new HSSFWorkbook();
CreationHelper factory = wb.getCreationHelper();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet();
Rowl row = sheet.createRow(3);
Cell cell = row.createCell(5);
cell.setCellValue("F4");
Drawing drawing = sheet.createDrawingPatriarch();
// When the comment box is visible, have it show in a 1x3 space
ClientAnchor anchor = factory.createClientAnchor();
anchor.setCol1(cell.getColumnIndex());
anchor.setCol2(cell.getColumnIndex()+1);
anchor.setRow1(row.getRowNul());
anchor.setRow2(row.getRowNul()+3);
// Create the comment and set the text+author
Comment comment = drawing.createCellComment(anchor);
RichTextString str = factory.createRichTextString("Hello, World!");
comment.setString(str);
comment.setAuthor("Apache POI");
// Assign the comment to the cell
cell.setCellComment(comment);
String fname = "comment-xssf.xls";
if(wb instanceof XSSFWorkbook) fname += "x";
FileOutputStream out = new FileOutputStream(fname);
wb.write(out);
out.close();
</pre>
<p>
Reading cell comments
</p>
<pre class="code">
Cell cell = sheet.get(3).getColumn((short)1);
Comment comment = cell.getCellComment();
if (comment != null) {
RichTextString str = comment.getString();
String author = comment.getAuthor();
}
// alternatively you can retrieve cell comments by (row, column)
comment = sheet.getCellComment(3, 1);
</pre>
<a name="Autofit"></a>
<a name="Adjust+column+width+to+fit+the+contents"></a>
<div class="h3">
<h3>Adjust column width to fit the contents</h3>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Sheet sheet = workbook.getSheetAt(0);
sheet.autoSizeColumn(0); //adjust width of the first column
sheet.autoSizeColumn(1); //adjust width of the second column
</pre>
<p>
Note, that Sheet#autoSizeColumn() does not evaluate formula cells,
the width of formula cells is calculated based on the cached formula result.
If your workbook has many formulas then it is a good idea to evaluate them before auto-sizing.
</p>
<div class="frame warning">
<div class="label">Warning</div>
<div class="content">
To calculate column width Sheet.autoSizeColumn uses Java2D classes
that throw exception if graphical environment is not available. In case if graphical environment
is not available, you must tell Java that you are running in headless mode and
set the following system property: <span class="codefrag"> java.awt.headless=true </span>.
</div>
</div>
<a name="Hyperlinks"></a>
<a name="How+to+read+hyperlinks"></a>
<div class="h3">
<h3>How to read hyperlinks</h3>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Sheet sheet = workbook.getSheetAt(0);
Cell cell = sheet.getRow(0).getCell((short)0);
Hyperlink link = cell.getHyperlink();
if(link != null){
System.out.println(link.getAddress());
}
</pre>
<a name="How+to+create+hyperlinks"></a>
<div class="h3">
<h3>How to create hyperlinks</h3>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new XSSFWorkbook(); //or new HSSFWorkbook();
CreationHelper createHelper = wb.getCreationHelper();
//cell style for hyperlinks
//by default hyperlinks are blue and underlined
CellStyle hlink_style = wb.createCellStyle();
Font hlink_font = wb.createFont();
hlink_font.setUnderline(Font.U_SINGLE);
hlink_font.setColor(IndexedColors.BLUE.getIndex());
hlink_style.setFont(hlink_font);
Cell cell;
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet("Hyperlinks");
//URL
cell = sheet.createRow(0).createCell((short)0);
cell.setCellValue("URL Link");
Hyperlink link = createHelper.createHyperlink(Hyperlink.LINK_URL);
link.setAddress("http://poi.apache.org/");
cell.setHyperlink(link);
cell.setCellStyle(hlink_style);
//link to a file in the current directory
cell = sheet.createRow(1).createCell((short)0);
cell.setCellValue("File Link");
link = createHelper.createHyperlink(Hyperlink.LINK_FILE);
link.setAddress("link1.xls");
cell.setHyperlink(link);
cell.setCellStyle(hlink_style);
//e-mail link
cell = sheet.createRow(2).createCell((short)0);
cell.setCellValue("Email Link");
link = createHelper.createHyperlink(Hyperlink.LINK_EMAIL);
//note, if subject contains white spaces, make sure they are url-encoded
link.setAddress("mailto:poi@apache.org?subject=Hyperlinks");
cell.setHyperlink(link);
cell.setCellStyle(hlink_style);
//link to a place in this workbook
//create a target sheet and cell
Sheet sheet2 = wb.createSheet("Target Sheet");
sheet2.createRow(0).createCell((short)0).setCellValue("Target Cell");
cell = sheet.createRow(3).createCell((short)0);
cell.setCellValue("Worksheet Link");
Hyperlink link2 = createHelper.createHyperlink(Hyperlink.LINK_DOCUMENT);
link2.setAddress("'Target Sheet'!A1");
cell.setHyperlink(link2);
cell.setCellStyle(hlink_style);
FileOutputStream out = new FileOutputStream("hyperinks.xlsx");
wb.write(out);
out.close();
</pre>
<a name="Validation"></a>
<a name="Data+Validations"></a>
<div class="h3">
<h3>Data Validations</h3>
</div>
<p>
As of version 3.8, POI has slightly different syntax to work with data validations with .xls and .xlsx formats.
</p>
<a name="hssf.usermodel+%28binary+.xls+format%29"></a>
<div class="h4">
<h4>hssf.usermodel (binary .xls format)</h4>
</div>
<p>
<strong>Check the value a user enters into a cell against one or more predefined value(s).</strong>
</p>
<p>The following code will limit the value the user can enter into cell A1 to one of three integer values, 10, 20 or 30.</p>
<pre class="code">
HSSFWorkbook workbook = new HSSFWorkbook();
HSSFSheet sheet = workbook.createSheet("Data Validation");
CellRangeAddressList addressList = new CellRangeAddressList(
0, 0, 0, 0);
DVConstraint dvConstraint = DVConstraint.createExplicitListConstraint(
new String[]{"10", "20", "30"});
DataValidation dataValidation = new HSSFDataValidation
(addressList, dvConstraint);
dataValidation.setSuppressDropDownArrow(true);
sheet.addValidationData(dataValidation);
</pre>
<p>
<strong> Drop Down Lists:</strong>
</p>
<p>This code will do the same but offer the user a drop down list to select a value from.</p>
<pre class="code">
HSSFWorkbook workbook = new HSSFWorkbook();
HSSFSheet sheet = workbook.createSheet("Data Validation");
CellRangeAddressList addressList = new CellRangeAddressList(
0, 0, 0, 0);
DVConstraint dvConstraint = DVConstraint.createExplicitListConstraint(
new String[]{"10", "20", "30"});
DataValidation dataValidation = new HSSFDataValidation
(addressList, dvConstraint);
dataValidation.setSuppressDropDownArrow(false);
sheet.addValidationData(dataValidation);
</pre>
<p>
<strong>Messages On Error:</strong>
</p>
<p>To create a message box that will be shown to the user if the value they enter is invalid.</p>
<pre class="code">
dataValidation.setErrorStyle(DataValidation.ErrorStyle.STOP);
dataValidation.createErrorBox("Box Title", "Message Text");
</pre>
<p>Replace 'Box Title' with the text you wish to display in the message box's title bar
and 'Message Text' with the text of your error message.</p>
<p>
<strong>Prompts:</strong>
</p>
<p>To create a prompt that the user will see when the cell containing the data validation receives focus</p>
<pre class="code">
dataValidation.createPromptBox("Title", "Message Text");
dataValidation.setShowPromptBox(true);
</pre>
<p>The text encapsulated in the first parameter passed to the createPromptBox() method will appear emboldened
and as a title to the prompt whilst the second will be displayed as the text of the message.
The createExplicitListConstraint() method can be passed and array of String(s) containing interger, floating point, dates or text values.</p>
<p>
<strong>Further Data Validations:</strong>
</p>
<p>To obtain a validation that would check the value entered was, for example, an integer between 10 and 100,
use the DVConstraint.createNumericConstraint(int, int, String, String) factory method.</p>
<pre class="code">
dvConstraint = DVConstraint.createNumericConstraint(
DVConstraint.ValidationType.INTEGER,
DVConstraint.OperatorType.BETWEEN, "10", "100");
</pre>
<p>Look at the javadoc for the other validation and operator types; also note that not all validation
types are supported for this method. The values passed to the two String parameters can be formulas; the '=' symbol is used to denote a formula</p>
<pre class="code">
dvConstraint = DVConstraint.createNumericConstraint(
DVConstraint.ValidationType.INTEGER,
DVConstraint.OperatorType.BETWEEN, "=SUM(A1:A3)", "100");
</pre>
<p>It is not possible to create a drop down list if the createNumericConstraint() method is called,
the setSuppressDropDownArrow(false) method call will simply be ignored.</p>
<p>Date and time constraints can be created by calling the createDateConstraint(int, String, String, String)
or the createTimeConstraint(int, String, String). Both are very similar to the above and are explained in the javadoc. </p>
<p>
<strong>Creating Data Validations From Spreadsheet Cells.</strong>
</p>
<p>The contents of specific cells can be used to provide the values for the data validation
and the DVConstraint.createFormulaListConstraint(String) method supports this.
To specify that the values come from a contiguous range of cells do either of the following:</p>
<pre class="code">
dvConstraint = DVConstraint.createFormulaListConstraint("$A$1:$A$3");
</pre>
<p>or</p>
<pre class="code">
Name namedRange = workbook.createName();
namedRange.setNameName("list1");
namedRange.setRefersToFormula("$A$1:$A$3");
dvConstraint = DVConstraint.createFormulaListConstraint("list1");
</pre>
<p>and in both cases the user will be able to select from a drop down list containing the values from cells A1, A2 and A3.</p>
<p>The data does not have to be as the data validation. To select the data from a different sheet however, the sheet
must be given a name when created and that name should be used in the formula. So assuming the existence of a sheet named 'Data Sheet' this will work:</p>
<pre class="code">
Name namedRange = workbook.createName();
namedRange.setNameName("list1");
namedRange.setRefersToFormula("'Data Sheet'!$A$1:$A$3");
dvConstraint = DVConstraint.createFormulaListConstraint("list1");
</pre>
<p>as will this:</p>
<pre class="code">
dvConstraint = DVConstraint.createFormulaListConstraint("'Data Sheet'!$A$1:$A$3");
</pre>
<p>whilst this will not:</p>
<pre class="code">
Name namedRange = workbook.createName();
namedRange.setNameName("list1");
namedRange.setRefersToFormula("'Sheet1'!$A$1:$A$3");
dvConstraint = DVConstraint.createFormulaListConstraint("list1");
</pre>
<p>and nor will this:</p>
<pre class="code">
dvConstraint = DVConstraint.createFormulaListConstraint("'Sheet1'!$A$1:$A$3");
</pre>
<a name="xssf.usermodel+%28.xlsx+format%29"></a>
<div class="h4">
<h4>xssf.usermodel (.xlsx format)</h4>
</div>
<p>
Data validations work similarly when you are creating an xml based, SpreadsheetML,
workbook file; but there are differences. Explicit casts are required, for example,
in a few places as much of the support for data validations in the xssf stream was
built into the unifying ss stream, of which more later. Other differences are
noted with comments in the code.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Check the value the user enters into a cell against one or more predefined value(s).</strong>
</p>
<pre class="code">
XSSFWorkbook workbook = new XSSFWorkbook();
XSSFSheet sheet = workbook.createSheet("Data Validation");
XSSFDataValidationHelper dvHelper = new XSSFDataValidationHelper(sheet);
XSSFDataValidationConstraint dvConstraint = (XSSFDataValidationConstraint)
dvHelper.createExplicitListConstraint(new String[]{"11", "21", "31"});
CellRangeAddressList addressList = new CellRangeAddressList(0, 0, 0, 0);
XSSFDataValidation validation =(XSSFDataValidation)dvHelper.createValidation(
dvConstraint, addressList);
// Here the boolean value false is passed to the setSuppressDropDownArrow()
// method. In the hssf.usermodel examples above, the value passed to this
// method is true.
validation.setSuppressDropDownArrow(false);
// Note this extra method call. If this method call is omitted, or if the
// boolean value false is passed, then Excel will not validate the value the
// user enters into the cell.
validation.setShowErrorBox(true);
sheet.addValidationData(validation);
</pre>
<p>
<strong>Drop Down Lists:</strong>
</p>
<p>This code will do the same but offer the user a drop down list to select a value from.</p>
<pre class="code">
XSSFWorkbook workbook = new XSSFWorkbook();
XSSFSheet sheet = workbook.createSheet("Data Validation");
XSSFDataValidationHelper dvHelper = new XSSFDataValidationHelper(sheet);
XSSFDataValidationConstraint dvConstraint = (XSSFDataValidationConstraint)
dvHelper.createExplicitListConstraint(new String[]{"11", "21", "31"});
CellRangeAddressList addressList = new CellRangeAddressList(0, 0, 0, 0);
XSSFDataValidation validation = (XSSFDataValidation)dvHelper.createValidation(
dvConstraint, addressList);
validation.setShowErrorBox(true);
sheet.addValidationData(validation);
</pre>
<p>Note that the call to the setSuppressDropDowmArrow() method can either be simply excluded or replaced with:</p>
<pre class="code">
validation.setSuppressDropDownArrow(true);
</pre>
<p>
<strong>Prompts and Error Messages:</strong>
</p>
<p>
These both exactly mirror the hssf.usermodel so please refer to the 'Messages On Error:' and 'Prompts:' sections above.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Further Data Validations:</strong>
</p>
<p>
To obtain a validation that would check the value entered was, for example,
an integer between 10 and 100, use the XSSFDataValidationHelper(s) createNumericConstraint(int, int, String, String) factory method.
</p>
<pre class="code">
XSSFDataValidationConstraint dvConstraint = (XSSFDataValidationConstraint)
dvHelper.createNumericConstraint(
XSSFDataValidationConstraint.ValidationType.INTEGER,
XSSFDataValidationConstraint.OperatorType.BETWEEN,
"10", "100");
</pre>
<p>
The values passed to the final two String parameters can be formulas; the '=' symbol is used to denote a formula.
Thus, the following would create a validation the allows values only if they fall between the results of summing two cell ranges
</p>
<pre class="code">
XSSFDataValidationConstraint dvConstraint = (XSSFDataValidationConstraint)
dvHelper.createNumericConstraint(
XSSFDataValidationConstraint.ValidationType.INTEGER,
XSSFDataValidationConstraint.OperatorType.BETWEEN,
"=SUM(A1:A10)", "=SUM(B24:B27)");
</pre>
<p>
It is not possible to create a drop down list if the createNumericConstraint() method is called,
the setSuppressDropDownArrow(true) method call will simply be ignored.
</p>
<p>
Please check the javadoc for other constraint types as examples for those will not be included here.
There are, for example, methods defined on the XSSFDataValidationHelper class allowing you to create
the following types of constraint; date, time, decimal, integer, numeric, formula, text length and custom constraints.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Creating Data Validations From Spread Sheet Cells:</strong>
</p>
<p>
One other type of constraint not mentioned above is the formula list constraint.
It allows you to create a validation that takes it value(s) from a range of cells. This code
</p>
<pre class="code">
XSSFDataValidationConstraint dvConstraint = (XSSFDataValidationConstraint)
dvHelper.createFormulaListConstraint("$A$1:$F$1");
</pre>
<p>
would create a validation that took it's values from cells in the range A1 to F1.
</p>
<p>
The usefulness of this technique can be extended if you use named ranges like this;
</p>
<pre class="code">
XSSFName name = workbook.createName();
name.setNameName("data");
name.setRefersToFormula("$B$1:$F$1");
XSSFDataValidationHelper dvHelper = new XSSFDataValidationHelper(sheet);
XSSFDataValidationConstraint dvConstraint = (XSSFDataValidationConstraint)
dvHelper.createFormulaListConstraint("data");
CellRangeAddressList addressList = new CellRangeAddressList(
0, 0, 0, 0);
XSSFDataValidation validation = (XSSFDataValidation)
dvHelper.createValidation(dvConstraint, addressList);
validation.setSuppressDropDownArrow(true);
validation.setShowErrorBox(true);
sheet.addValidationData(validation);
</pre>
<p>
OpenOffice Calc has slightly different rules with regard to the scope of names.
Excel supports both Workbook and Sheet scope for a name but Calc does not, it seems only to support Sheet scope for a name.
Thus it is often best to fully qualify the name for the region or area something like this;
</p>
<pre class="code">
XSSFName name = workbook.createName();
name.setNameName("data");
name.setRefersToFormula("'Data Validation'!$B$1:$F$1");
....
</pre>
<p>
This does open a further, interesting opportunity however and that is to place all of the data for the validation(s) into named ranges of cells on a hidden sheet within the workbook. These ranges can then be explicitly identified in the setRefersToFormula() method argument.
</p>
<a name="ss.usermodel"></a>
<div class="h4">
<h4>ss.usermodel</h4>
</div>
<p>
The classes within the ss.usermodel package allow developers to create code that can be used
to generate both binary (.xls) and SpreadsheetML (.xlsx) workbooks.
</p>
<p>
The techniques used to create data validations share much in common with the xssf.usermodel examples above.
As a result just one or two examples will be presented here.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Check the value the user enters into a cell against one or more predefined value(s).</strong>
</p>
<pre class="code">
Workbook workbook = new XSSFWorkbook(); // or new HSSFWorkbook
Sheet sheet = workbook.createSheet("Data Validation");
DataValidationHelper dvHelper = sheet.getDataValidationHelper();
DataValidationConstraint dvConstraint = dvHelper.createExplicitListConstraint(
new String[]{"13", "23", "33"});
CellRangeAddressList addressList = new CellRangeAddressList(0, 0, 0, 0);
DataValidation validation = dvHelper.createValidation(
dvConstraint, addressList);
// Note the check on the actual type of the DataValidation object.
// If it is an instance of the XSSFDataValidation class then the
// boolean value 'false' must be passed to the setSuppressDropDownArrow()
// method and an explicit call made to the setShowErrorBox() method.
if(validation instanceof XSSFDataValidation) {
validation.setSuppressDropDownArrow(false);
validation.setShowErrorBox(true);
}
else {
// If the Datavalidation contains an instance of the HSSFDataValidation
// class then 'true' should be passed to the setSuppressDropDownArrow()
// method and the call to setShowErrorBox() is not necessary.
validation.setSuppressDropDownArrow(true);
}
sheet.addValidationData(validation);
</pre>
<p>
<strong>Drop Down Lists:</strong>
</p>
<p>This code will do the same but offer the user a drop down list to select a value from.</p>
<pre class="code">
Workbook workbook = new XSSFWorkbook(); // or new HSSFWorkbook
Sheet sheet = workbook.createSheet("Data Validation");
DataValidationHelper dvHelper = sheet.getDataValidationHelper();
DataValidationConstraint dvConstraint = dvHelper.createExplicitListConstraint(
new String[]{"13", "23", "33"});
CellRangeAddressList addressList = new CellRangeAddressList(0, 0, 0, 0);
DataValidation validation = dvHelper.createValidation(
dvConstraint, addressList);
// Note the check on the actual type of the DataValidation object.
// If it is an instance of the XSSFDataValidation class then the
// boolean value 'false' must be passed to the setSuppressDropDownArrow()
// method and an explicit call made to the setShowErrorBox() method.
if(validation instanceof XSSFDataValidation) {
validation.setSuppressDropDownArrow(true);
validation.setShowErrorBox(true);
}
else {
// If the Datavalidation contains an instance of the HSSFDataValidation
// class then 'true' should be passed to the setSuppressDropDownArrow()
// method and the call to setShowErrorBox() is not necessary.
validation.setSuppressDropDownArrow(false);
}
sheet.addValidationData(validation);
</pre>
<p>
<strong>Prompts and Error Messages:</strong>
</p>
<p>
These both exactly mirror the hssf.usermodel so please refer to the 'Messages On Error:' and 'Prompts:' sections above.
</p>
<p>
As the differences between the ss.usermodel and xssf.usermodel examples are small -
restricted largely to the way the DataValidationHelper is obtained, the lack of any
need to explicitly cast data types and the small difference in behaviour between
the hssf and xssf interpretation of the setSuppressDropDowmArrow() method,
no further examples will be included in this section.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Advanced Data Validations.</strong>
</p>
<p>
<strong>Dependent Drop Down Lists.</strong>
</p>
<p>
In some cases, it may be necessary to present to the user a sheet which contains more than one drop down list.
Further, the choice the user makes in one drop down list may affect the options that are presented to them in
the second or subsequent drop down lists. One technique that may be used to implement this behaviour will now be explained.
</p>
<p>
There are two keys to the technique; one is to use named areas or regions of cells to hold the data for the drop down lists,
the second is to use the INDIRECT() function to convert between the name and the actual addresses of the cells.
In the example section there is a complete working example- called LinkedDropDownLists.java -
that demonstrates how to create linked or dependent drop down lists. Only the more relevant points are explained here.
</p>
<p>
To create two drop down lists where the options shown in the second depend upon the selection made in the first,
begin by creating a named region of cells to hold all of the data for populating the first drop down list.
Next, create a data validation that will look to this named area for its data, something like this;
</p>
<pre class="code">
CellRangeAddressList addressList = new CellRangeAddressList(0, 0, 0, 0);
DataValidationHelper dvHelper = sheet.getDataValidationHelper();
DataValidationConstraint dvConstraint = dvHelper.createFormulaListConstraint(
"CHOICES");
DataValidation validation = dvHelper.createValidation(
dvConstraint, addressList);
sheet.addValidationData(validation);
</pre>
<p>
Note that the name of the area - in the example above it is 'CHOICES' -
is simply passed to the createFormulaListConstraint() method. This is sufficient
to cause Excel to populate the drop down list with data from that named region.
</p>
<p>
Next, for each of the options the user could select in the first drop down list,
create a matching named region of cells. The name of that region should match the
text the user could select in the first drop down list. Note, in the example,
all upper case letters are used in the names of the regions of cells.
</p>
<p>
Now, very similar code can be used to create a second, linked, drop down list;
</p>
<pre class="code">
CellRangeAddressList addressList = new CellRangeAddressList(0, 0, 1, 1);
DataValidationConstraint dvConstraint = dvHelper.createFormulaListConstraint(
"INDIRECT(UPPER($A$1))");
DataValidation validation = dvHelper.createValidation(
dvConstraint, addressList);
sheet.addValidationData(validation);
</pre>
<p>
The key here is in the following Excel function - INDIRECT(UPPER($A$1)) - which is used to populate the second,
linked, drop down list. Working from the inner-most pair of brackets, it instructs Excel to look
at the contents of cell A1, to convert what it reads there into upper case – as upper case letters are used
in the names of each region - and then convert this name into the addresses of those cells that contain
the data to populate another drop down list.
</p>
<a name="Embedded"></a>
<a name="Embedded+Objects"></a>
<div class="h3">
<h3>Embedded Objects</h3>
</div>
<p>It is possible to perform more detailed processing of an embedded Excel, Word or PowerPoint document,
or to work with any other type of embedded object.</p>
<p>
<strong>HSSF:</strong>
</p>
<pre class="code">
POIFSFileSystem fs = new POIFSFileSystem(new FileInputStream("excel_with_embeded.xls"));
HSSFWorkbook workbook = new HSSFWorkbook(fs);
for (HSSFObjectData obj : workbook.getAllEmbeddedObjects()) {
//the OLE2 Class Name of the object
String oleName = obj.getOLE2ClassName();
if (oleName.equals("Worksheet")) {
DirectoryNode dn = (DirectoryNode) obj.getDirectory();
HSSFWorkbook embeddedWorkbook = new HSSFWorkbook(dn, fs, false);
//System.out.println(entry.getName() + ": " + embeddedWorkbook.getNumberOfSheets());
} else if (oleName.equals("Document")) {
DirectoryNode dn = (DirectoryNode) obj.getDirectory();
HWPFDocument embeddedWordDocument = new HWPFDocument(dn, fs);
//System.out.println(entry.getName() + ": " + embeddedWordDocument.getRange().text());
} else if (oleName.equals("Presentation")) {
DirectoryNode dn = (DirectoryNode) obj.getDirectory();
SlideShow embeddedPowerPointDocument = new SlideShow(new HSLFSlideShow(dn, fs));
//System.out.println(entry.getName() + ": " + embeddedPowerPointDocument.getSlides().length);
} else {
if(obj.hasDirectoryEntry()){
// The DirectoryEntry is a DocumentNode. Examine its entries to find out what it is
DirectoryNode dn = (DirectoryNode) obj.getDirectory();
for (Iterator entries = dn.getEntries(); entries.hasNext();) {
Entry entry = (Entry) entries.next();
//System.out.println(oleName + "." + entry.getName());
}
} else {
// There is no DirectoryEntry
// Recover the object's data from the HSSFObjectData instance.
byte[] objectData = obj.getObjectData();
}
}
}
</pre>
<p>
<strong>XSSF:</strong>
</p>
<pre class="code">
XSSFWorkbook workbook = new XSSFWorkbook("excel_with_embeded.xlsx");
for (PackagePart pPart : workbook.getAllEmbedds()) {
String contentType = pPart.getContentType();
// Excel Workbook - either binary or OpenXML
if (contentType.equals("application/vnd.ms-excel")) {
HSSFWorkbook embeddedWorkbook = new HSSFWorkbook(pPart.getInputStream());
}
// Excel Workbook - OpenXML file format
else if (contentType.equals("application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet")) {
OPCPackage docPackage = OPCPackage.open(pPart.getInputStream());
XSSFWorkbook embeddedWorkbook = new XSSFWorkbook(docPackage);
}
// Word Document - binary (OLE2CDF) file format
else if (contentType.equals("application/msword")) {
HWPFDocument document = new HWPFDocument(pPart.getInputStream());
}
// Word Document - OpenXML file format
else if (contentType.equals("application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document")) {
OPCPackage docPackage = OPCPackage.open(pPart.getInputStream());
XWPFDocument document = new XWPFDocument(docPackage);
}
// PowerPoint Document - binary file format
else if (contentType.equals("application/vnd.ms-powerpoint")) {
HSLFSlideShow slideShow = new HSLFSlideShow(pPart.getInputStream());
}
// PowerPoint Document - OpenXML file format
else if (contentType.equals("application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.presentationml.presentation")) {
OPCPackage docPackage = OPCPackage.open(pPart.getInputStream());
XSLFSlideShow slideShow = new XSLFSlideShow(docPackage);
}
// Any other type of embedded object.
else {
System.out.println("Unknown Embedded Document: " + contentType);
InputStream inputStream = pPart.getInputStream();
}
}
</pre>
<a name="Autofilter"></a>
<p>(Since POI-3.7)</p>
<a name="Autofilters"></a>
<div class="h3">
<h3>Autofilters</h3>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook wb = new HSSFWorkbook(); //or new XSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet = wb.createSheet();
sheet.setAutoFilter(CellRangeAddress.valueOf("C5:F200"));
</pre>
<a name="ConditionalFormatting"></a>
<a name="Conditional+Formatting"></a>
<div class="h3">
<h3>Conditional Formatting</h3>
</div>
<pre class="code">
Workbook workbook = new HSSFWorkbook(); // or new XSSFWorkbook();
Sheet sheet = workbook.createSheet();
SheetConditionalFormatting sheetCF = sheet.getSheetConditionalFormatting();
ConditionalFormattingRule rule1 = sheetCF.createConditionalFormattingRule(ComparisonOperator.EQUAL, "0");
FontFormatting fontFmt = rule1.createFontFormatting();
fontFmt.setFontStyle(true, false);
fontFmt.setFontColorIndex(IndexedColors.DARK_RED.index);
BorderFormatting bordFmt = rule1.createBorderFormatting();
bordFmt.setBorderBottom(BorderFormatting.BORDER_THIN);
bordFmt.setBorderTop(BorderFormatting.BORDER_THICK);
bordFmt.setBorderLeft(BorderFormatting.BORDER_DASHED);
bordFmt.setBorderRight(BorderFormatting.BORDER_DOTTED);
PatternFormatting patternFmt = rule1.createPatternFormatting();
patternFmt.setFillBackgroundColor(IndexedColors.YELLOW.index);
ConditionalFormattingRule rule2 = sheetCF.createConditionalFormattingRule(ComparisonOperator.BETWEEN, "-10", "10");
ConditionalFormattingRule [] cfRules =
{
rule1, rule2
};
CellRangeAddress[] regions = {
CellRangeAddress.valueOf("A3:A5")
};
sheetCF.addConditionalFormatting(regions, cfRules);
</pre>
<p> See more examples on Excel conditional formatting in
<a href="http://svn.apache.org/repos/asf/poi/trunk/src/examples/src/org/apache/poi/ss/examples/ConditionalFormats.java">ConditionalFormats.java</a>
</p>
<a name="Hiding"></a>
<a name="Hiding+and+Un-Hiding+Rows"></a>
<div class="h3">
<h3>Hiding and Un-Hiding Rows</h3>
</div>
<p>
Using Excel, it is possible to hide a row on a worksheet by selecting that row (or rows),
right clicking once on the right hand mouse button and selecting 'Hide' from the pop=up menu that appears.
</p>
<p>
To emulate this using POI, simply call the setZeroHeight() method on an instance of either
XSSFRow or HSSFRow (the method is defined on the ss.usermodel.Row interface that both classes implement), like this:
</p>
<pre class="code">
Workbook workbook = new XSSFWorkbook(); // OR new HSSFWorkbook()
Sheet sheet = workbook.createSheet(0);
Row row = workbook.createRow(0);
row.setZeroHeight();
</pre>
<p>
If the file were saved away to disc now, then the first row on the first sheet would not be visible.
</p>
<p>
Using Excel, it is possible to unhide previously hidden rows by selecting the row above and the row below
the one that is hidden and then pressing and holding down the Ctrl key, the Shift and the pressing
the number 9 before releasing them all.
</p>
<p>
To emulate this behaviour using POI do something like this:
</p>
<pre class="code">
Workbook workbook = WorkbookFactory.create(new File(.......));
Sheet = workbook.getSheetAt(0);
Iterator<Row> row Iter = sheet.iterator();
while(rowIter.hasNext()) {
Row row = rowIter.next();
if(row.getZeroHeight()) {
row.setZeroHeight(false);
}
}
</pre>
<p>
If the file were saved away to disc now, any previously hidden rows on the first sheet of the workbook would now be visible.
</p>
<p>
The example illustrates two features. Firstly, that it is possible to unhide a row simply by calling the setZeroHeight()
method and passing the boolean value 'false'. Secondly, it ilustrates how to test whther a row is hidden or not.
Simply call the getZeroHeight() method and it will return 'true' if the row is hidden, 'false' otherwise.
</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</td>
<!--================= end Content ==================-->
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<!--================= end Main ==================-->
<!--================= start Footer ==================-->
<div id="footer">
<table summary="footer" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4" width="100%" border="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<!--================= start Copyright ==================-->
<td colspan="2">
<div align="center">
<div class="copyright">
Copyright © 2002-2012 The Apache Software Foundation. All rights reserved.<br>
Apache POI, POI, Apache, the Apache feather logo, and the Apache
POI project logo are trademarks of The Apache Software Foundation.
</div>
</div>
</td>
<!--================= end Copyright ==================-->
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">
<!--================= start Host ==================-->
<!--================= end Host ==================--></td><td align="right">
<!--================= start Credits ==================-->
<div align="right">
<div class="credit"></div>
</div>
<!--================= end Credits ==================-->
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<!--================= end Footer ==================-->
</body>
</html>
