Getting started

Product Description

Aspose.Cells for JavaScript via C++ is a high-performance, feature-rich library for manipulating and converting spreadsheet files, including Excel (XLS, XLSX, XLSB, XLSM), ODS, CSV, and HTML formats. It provides a comprehensive set of features for creating, editing, converting, and rendering spreadsheets in both browser and Node.js environments. With full support for all major Excel formats, Aspose.Cells for JavaScript via C++ ensures maximum compatibility and flexibility across diverse use cases. Built with WebAssembly to unlock near-native performance directly in the browser, Aspose.Cells for JavaScript via C++ enables fast and efficient spreadsheet processing without the need for a server. Its lightweight runtime footprint makes it perfect for serverless web applications that require advanced Excel functionality. Whether you’re building dashboards, data processing pipelines, or document generation tools, Aspose.Cells for JavaScript via C++ offers a complete, reliable, and high-performance solution.Aspose.Cells for JavaScript via C++ supports browsers and Node.js, mainly browsers.

Key features

  1. File Creation and Editing: Create new spreadsheets from scratch or edit existing ones with ease. This includes adding or modifying data, formatting cells, managing worksheets, and more.
  2. Data Processing: Perform complex data manipulations such as sorting, filtering, and validation. The library also supports advanced formulas and functions to facilitate data analysis and calculations.
  3. File Conversion: Convert Excel files to various formats such as PDF, HTML, ODS, and image formats like PNG and JPEG. This feature is useful for sharing and distributing spreadsheet data in different formats.
  4. Chart and Graphics: Create and customize a wide range of charts and graphics to visually represent data. The library supports bar charts, line charts, pie charts, and many more, along with customization options for design and layout.
  5. Rendering and Printing: Render Excel sheets to high-fidelity images and PDFs, ensuring that the visual representation is accurate. The library also provides options for printing spreadsheets with precise control over page layout and formatting.
  6. Advanced Protection and Security: Protect spreadsheets with passwords, encrypt files, and manage access permissions to ensure data security and integrity.
  7. Performance and Scalability: Designed to handle large datasets and complex spreadsheets efficiently, Aspose.Cells for JavaScript via C++ ensures high performance and scalability for enterprise-level applications.

Prerequisites

Before getting started, make sure you have:

  • Node.js installed on your system (Download from https://nodejs.org/)
  • A valid Aspose license file (e.g., Aspose.Total.lic, Aspose.Cells.lic, or aspose.cells.js.lic) for full-featured use
  • Basic knowledge of HTML and JavaScript

Step 1: Installation

Install Aspose.Cells for JavaScript

Create a new project directory and install the package:

# Create a new project directory
mkdir my-excel-project
cd my-excel-project

# Install Aspose.Cells for JavaScript
npm install aspose.cells.js

Install HTTP Server (Required for License Setup)

Install a simple HTTP server globally:

npm install -g http-server

Or use Python’s built-in server (if Python is installed): 

# Python 3
python -m http.server

# Python 2
python -m SimpleHTTPServer

Step 2: License Setup (Required for Full Features)

Encrypt Your License File

  1. Start the HTTP server in your project directory: 

       http-server -p 8080

  2. Open the license encryption tool in your browser:

    http://localhost:8080/node_modules/aspose.cells.js/encrypt_lic.html

  3. Upload your license file:

    • Click “Choose File” and select your license file (e.g., Aspose.Total.lic, Aspose.Cells.lic, or aspose.cells.js.lic)
    • The encryption process will complete automatically (very fast)

  4. Download the encrypted license:

    • Click “Download Processed File” to download aspose.cells.enc
    • Save this file to your project directory

Place the Encrypted License

Move the aspose.cells.enc file to your project root or a specific folder where your application can access it.

Step 3: Usage Examples

Browser Usage

Create an index.html file in your project directory:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>Aspose.Cells Browser Example</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Excel Processing with Aspose.Cells</h1>
    <button id="createExcel">Create Excel File</button>
    <div id="output"></div>

    <script src="./node_modules/aspose.cells.js/aspose.cells.js.min.js"></script>
    <script type="text/javascript">
        const { Workbook, FileFormatType, SaveFormat } = AsposeCells;
        
        // Initialize with license (optional, remove for trial mode)
        AsposeCells.onReady({
            license: "aspose.cells.enc"  // Path to your encrypted license
        }).then(() => {
            console.log("Aspose.Cells is ready!");
            
            document.getElementById('createExcel').onclick = function() {
                // Create a new workbook
                var workbook = new Workbook(FileFormatType.Xlsx);
                
                // Get the first worksheet
                var worksheet = workbook.worksheets.get(0);
                
                // Add some data
                worksheet.cells.get("A1").putValue("Hello World");
                worksheet.cells.get("A2").putValue("Created with Aspose.Cells for JavaScript");
                worksheet.cells.get("B1").putValue(42);
                
                // Save as Excel file
                const outputData = workbook.save(SaveFormat.Xlsx);
                
                // Create download link
                const blob = new Blob([outputData]);
                const downloadLink = document.createElement('a');
                downloadLink.href = URL.createObjectURL(blob);
                downloadLink.textContent = 'Download Excel File';
                downloadLink.download = "my-excel-file.xlsx";
                downloadLink.style.display = 'block';
                
                const output = document.getElementById('output');
                output.innerHTML = '';
                output.appendChild(downloadLink);
            };
        }).catch(error => {
            console.error("Error initializing Aspose.Cells:", error);
        });
    </script>
</html>

To run the browser example:

# Start HTTP server
http-server -p 8080

# Open browser and visit:
# http://localhost:8080

Node.js Usage

Create a node-example.js file:

const { AsposeCells, Workbook, SaveFormat, FileFormatType } = require("aspose.cells.js");
const fs = require('fs');

// Initialize Aspose.Cells with license
AsposeCells.onReady({
    license: "aspose.cells.enc",  // Path to your encrypted license
    fontPath: "./fonts/"         // Optional: path to system fonts
}).then(() => {
    console.log("Aspose.Cells initialized successfully!");
    
    // Create a new workbook
    const workbook = new Workbook(FileFormatType.Xlsx);
    
    // Get the first worksheet
    const worksheet = workbook.worksheets.get(0);
    
    // Add data to cells
    worksheet.cells.get("A1").putValue("Product");
    worksheet.cells.get("B1").putValue("Price");
    worksheet.cells.get("A2").putValue("Apple");
    worksheet.cells.get("B2").putValue(1.99);
    worksheet.cells.get("A3").putValue("Orange");
    worksheet.cells.get("B3").putValue(2.49);
    
    // Save as Excel file
    const excelData = workbook.save(SaveFormat.Xlsx);
    fs.writeFileSync('output.xlsx', Buffer.from(excelData));
    console.log('Excel file saved as output.xlsx');
    
    // Save as PDF
    const pdfData = workbook.save(SaveFormat.Pdf);
    fs.writeFileSync('output.pdf', Buffer.from(pdfData));
    console.log('PDF file saved as output.pdf');
    
}).catch(error => {
    console.error("Error:", error);
});

To run the Node.js example:

node node-example.js

Common File Operations

Reading an Existing Excel File

// Browser (using File input)
const fileInput = document.getElementById('fileInput');
fileInput.addEventListener('change', (e) => {
    const file = e.target.files[0];
    const reader = new FileReader();
    reader.onload = (e) => {
        const arrayBuffer = e.target.result;
        const workbook = new Workbook(new Uint8Array(arrayBuffer));
        // Process the workbook...
    };
    reader.readAsArrayBuffer(file);
});

// Node.js
const fs = require('fs');
const fileBuffer = fs.readFileSync('input.xlsx');
const workbook = new Workbook(fileBuffer);

Converting Between Formats

// Convert Excel to PDF
const pdfData = workbook.save(SaveFormat.Pdf);

// Convert Excel to HTML
const htmlData = workbook.save(SaveFormat.Html);

// Convert Excel to CSV
const csvData = workbook.save(SaveFormat.Csv);

// Convert Excel to JSON
const jsonData = workbook.save(SaveFormat.Json);

Troubleshooting

Common Issues and Solutions

  1. “Module not found” error

    • Make sure you’re running the HTTP server from the correct directory
    • Verify the script src path points to the correct location

  2. License not working

    • Ensure the aspose.cells.enc file is in the correct location
    • Check that the encrypted license file was generated properly
    • Verify the original license file is valid and not expired

  3. CORS issues in browser

    • Always use an HTTP server, never open HTML files directly
    • Use http-server or similar tools for local development

Getting Help

If you encounter issues:

Next Steps

  • Explore the API Reference for detailed documentation
  • Learn about advanced features like charts, formulas, and formatting
  • Check out more examples and tutorials in the documentation
  • Consider integrating with your existing web applications or build tools
Developer Guide