devexpress-office-file-api-excel-export
Installation
SKILL.md
DevExpress Excel Export Library
The Excel Export Library is a low-level, streaming .NET API for generating Excel files (.xlsx, .xls, .csv) with a minimal memory footprint. It writes rows sequentially to an output stream and cannot read or modify existing files. Use it when you need to produce large Excel reports from databases or data grids without loading the entire document into RAM. The primary namespace is DevExpress.Export.Xl.
CRITICAL: Excel Export Library vs. Spreadsheet Document API
| Excel Export Library | Spreadsheet Document API | |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Streaming — write rows top-to-bottom, forward only | In-memory — random access to any cell at any time |
| Memory | Very low — ideal for large files | Higher — entire workbook in RAM |
| Can read files? | No | Yes |
| Can modify existing files? | No | Yes |
| Charts, Pivot Tables? | No | Yes |
| NuGet | DevExpress.Document.Processor (shared) |
DevExpress.Document.Processor |
| Namespace | DevExpress.Export.Xl |
DevExpress.Spreadsheet |
Rule: If the developer needs to read, modify, add charts, or create pivot tables → use the Spreadsheet Document API skill instead. If they need to stream-generate a large file from data → this skill is correct.