What is the better API to Reading Excel sheets in java - JXL or Apache POI

Question

Which of the two APIs makes it easier to read, write, and edit Excel sheets? Are CSV extensions not supported by these APIs?

Using JXL for file.xls and file.xlsx, I get an exception like:

jxl.read.biff.BiffException: Unable to recognize OLE stream
    at jxl.read.biff.CompoundFile.<init>(CompoundFile.java:116)
    at jxl.read.biff.File.<init>(File.java:127)
    at jxl.Workbook.getWorkbook(Workbook.java:268)
    at core.ReadXLSheet.contentReading(ReadXLSheet.java:46)
    at core.ReadXLSheet.init(ReadXLSheet.java:22)
    at core.ReadXLSheet.main(ReadXLSheet.java:72)

Both for .xls and .xlsx extensions. Java Version I am using is: JDK1.6

Answer 1

Here are the things where both APIs have the same end functionality:

• Both are free
• Cell styling: alignment, backgrounds (colors and patterns), borders (types and colors), font support (font names, colors, size, bold, italic, strikeout, underline)
• Formulas
• Hyperlinks
• Merged cell regions
• Size of rows and columns
• Data formatting: Numbers and Dates
• Text wrapping within cells
• Freeze Panes
• Header/Footer support
• Read/Write existing and new spreadsheets
• Both attempt to keep existing objects in spreadsheets they read in intact as far as possible.

DIfferences:

However, there are many differences:

• Perhaps the most significant difference is that Java JXL does not support the Excel 2007+ ".xlsx" format; it only supports the old BIFF (binary) ".xls" format. Apache POI supports both with a common design.
• Additionally, the Java portion of the JXL API was last updated in 2009 (3 years, 4 months ago as I write this), although it looks like there is a C# API. Apache POI is actively maintained.
• JXL doesn't support Conditional Formatting, Apache POI does, although this is not that significant, because you can conditionally format cells with your own code.
• JXL doesn't support rich text formatting, i.e. different formatting within a text string; Apache POI does support it.
• JXL only supports certain text rotations: horizontal/vertical, +/- 45 degrees, and stacked; Apache POI supports any integer number of degrees plus stacked.
• JXL doesn't support drawing shapes; Apache POI does.
• JXL supports most Page Setup settings such as Landscape/Portrait, Margins, Paper size, and Zoom. Apache POI supports all of that plus Repeating Rows and Columns.
• JXL doesn't support Split Panes; Apache POI does.
• JXL doesn't support Chart creation or manipulation; that support isn't there yet in Apache POI, but an API is slowly starting to form.
• Apache POI has a more extensive set of documentation and examples available than JXL.

 In conclusion, because of the better documentation, more features, active development, and Excel 2007+ format support, I use Apache POI.