Pros of PhpSpreadsheet

• More comprehensive support for Excel features, including advanced formatting and formulas
• Better performance when handling large spreadsheets
• Actively maintained with regular updates and improvements

Cons of PhpSpreadsheet

• Steeper learning curve due to more complex API
• Requires more setup and configuration compared to ImportExcel
• Higher memory usage, especially for large spreadsheets

Code Comparison

ImportExcel (PowerShell):

$excel = Import-Excel -Path "data.xlsx"
$excel | Where-Object { $_.Column1 -eq "Value" } | Export-Excel -Path "output.xlsx"

PhpSpreadsheet (PHP):

$spreadsheet = \PhpOffice\PhpSpreadsheet\IOFactory::load("data.xlsx");
$worksheet = $spreadsheet->getActiveSheet();
$filteredData = array_filter($worksheet->toArray(), function($row) {
    return $row[0] == "Value";
});
$writer = new \PhpOffice\PhpSpreadsheet\Writer\Xlsx($spreadsheet);
$writer->save("output.xlsx");

ImportExcel is more concise and easier to use for simple tasks, while PhpSpreadsheet offers more control and advanced features at the cost of verbosity.

Pros of XlsxWriter

• Cross-platform compatibility (Python-based, works on Windows, macOS, and Linux)
• Extensive documentation and examples
• Supports a wide range of Excel features, including charts and formulas

Cons of XlsxWriter

• Requires Python knowledge, which may be a barrier for some users
• Limited to creating new Excel files, cannot modify existing ones
• May have a steeper learning curve for users familiar with PowerShell

Code Comparison

XlsxWriter:

import xlsxwriter

workbook = xlsxwriter.Workbook('example.xlsx')
worksheet = workbook.add_worksheet()
worksheet.write('A1', 'Hello Excel!')
workbook.close()

ImportExcel:

$excel = New-Object -ComObject Excel.Application
$workbook = $excel.Workbooks.Add()
$worksheet = $workbook.Worksheets.Item(1)
$worksheet.Cells.Item(1,1) = "Hello Excel!"
$workbook.SaveAs("example.xlsx")
$excel.Quit()

Both libraries allow for creating Excel files programmatically, but XlsxWriter uses Python and offers more advanced features, while ImportExcel leverages PowerShell and COM objects for Excel manipulation. XlsxWriter is more suitable for cross-platform development and complex Excel operations, while ImportExcel is better for Windows-centric environments and users familiar with PowerShell.

Pros of SheetJS

• Cross-platform compatibility: Works in browsers, Node.js, and various JavaScript environments
• Supports a wide range of spreadsheet formats, including XLS, XLSX, CSV, and more
• Robust parsing and writing capabilities for complex spreadsheet structures

Cons of SheetJS

• Steeper learning curve due to its extensive API and features
• Larger file size, which may impact performance in browser-based applications
• Commercial use requires a paid license

Code Comparison

ImportExcel (PowerShell):

Import-Excel -Path "data.xlsx" -WorksheetName "Sheet1" |
    Where-Object { $_.Status -eq "Active" } |
    Export-Excel -Path "output.xlsx"

SheetJS (JavaScript):

const workbook = XLSX.readFile('data.xlsx');
const sheet = workbook.Sheets['Sheet1'];
const data = XLSX.utils.sheet_to_json(sheet);
const filtered = data.filter(row => row.Status === 'Active');
XLSX.writeFile(XLSX.utils.json_to_sheet(filtered), 'output.xlsx');

Summary

ImportExcel is a PowerShell-specific module for Excel manipulation, offering a simpler syntax for common tasks. SheetJS provides a more versatile solution for JavaScript environments, supporting multiple formats and platforms. While ImportExcel is free for all uses, SheetJS requires a license for commercial applications. The choice between them depends on the specific programming environment and project requirements.

Pros of ClosedXML

• More comprehensive Excel manipulation capabilities, including advanced formatting and cell styles
• Better performance for large datasets and complex operations
• Stronger type safety and compile-time checks

Cons of ClosedXML

• Steeper learning curve due to more complex API
• Requires more code to perform simple tasks compared to ImportExcel
• Less integrated with PowerShell environment

Code Comparison

ImportExcel:

$excel = Import-Excel -Path "data.xlsx"
$excel | Export-Excel -Path "output.xlsx" -AutoSize

ClosedXML:

using (var workbook = new XLWorkbook("data.xlsx"))
{
    var worksheet = workbook.Worksheet(1);
    worksheet.Columns().AdjustToContents();
    workbook.SaveAs("output.xlsx");
}

ClosedXML offers more granular control over Excel operations but requires more verbose code. ImportExcel provides a simpler, PowerShell-native approach for basic tasks. ClosedXML is better suited for complex Excel manipulations in C# applications, while ImportExcel excels in PowerShell scripting scenarios.