TXlsFile vs. Other Delphi Excel Libraries — Which to Choose?Choosing the right Excel library for Delphi projects can significantly affect development speed, runtime performance, licensing costs, and compatibility with Excel file features. This article compares TXlsFile with several alternative Delphi Excel libraries, examines their strengths and weaknesses, and gives guidance on which to choose depending on project needs.
What is TXlsFile?
TXlsFile is a fast, lightweight Delphi library focused on reading and writing BIFF (XLS) and limited XLSX support without requiring Microsoft Excel or Office automation. It emphasizes performance, small footprint, and direct manipulation of workbook structures (cells, formats, and formulas), making it popular for server-side or batch-processing scenarios where Excel itself is unavailable or undesirable.
Key criteria for choosing an Excel library
When evaluating libraries, consider the following criteria:
- Performance: read/write speed and memory usage for large workbooks
- File format support: XLS, XLSX, CSV, XML, OpenXML features (styles, shared strings, relationships)
- Feature completeness: formulas, formats, images, charts, pivot tables, data validation, conditional formatting
- API ergonomics: ease of use, documentation, examples, community support
- Dependency and deployment: does it require Excel/COM automation, .NET runtime, or pure native Delphi code
- Licensing and cost: free/open-source vs commercial, redistribution terms
- Platform support: VCL (Windows), FireMonkey (cross-platform), mobile and Linux compatibility
- Stability and maintenance: frequency of updates, bug fixes, compatibility with modern Excel versions
Libraries compared
Below are the libraries commonly considered alongside TXlsFile.
- TXlsFile (VCL native)
- Native Excel Automation (COM/OLE) using Excel application
- Delphi XLSReadWriteII / FlexCel (TMS Software)
- NativeXML / OpenXML-based libraries (e.g., SimpleXLSX, ExcelExport components)
- eDocEngine and other commercial reporting suites (as they include Excel export)
- OLE/COM wrappers and third-party paid components (various vendors)
Feature comparison
| Feature / Library | TXlsFile | Excel Automation (COM) | FlexCel / XLSRWII | OpenXML libraries (XLSX-focused) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native XLS (BIFF) support | Yes (strong) | No (relies on Excel) | Yes | Limited |
| Native XLSX (OpenXML) support | Partial | Yes (via Excel) | Yes (strong) | Yes (strong) |
| Requires Excel installed | No | Yes | No | No |
| Performance on large files | High | Low (automation overhead) | High | High (depends on implementation) |
| Formulas support | Basic/Partial | Full (Excel evaluates) | Strong | Varies |
| Images & Charts | Limited | Full | Strong | Varies |
| Cross-platform (FMX/Linux) | VCL only | Windows-only | Some (FlexCel supports FMX & Linux) | Potentially cross-platform |
| Licensing | Open / free variants exist | N/A (Excel license required) | Commercial | Varies (many open-source options) |
| Ease of use | Moderate (low-level APIs) | Easy (Excel UI parity) | Easy/feature-rich | Moderate (XML handling) |
Strengths of TXlsFile
- High performance for read/write of traditional XLS files — useful in batch servers and backend processes.
- No dependency on Microsoft Excel — safer for server environments and automated workflows.
- Small footprint and straightforward cell-level operations for common tasks (reading/writing values, formats).
- Good choice when working primarily with legacy XLS workbooks or when minimal external dependencies are required.
Limitations of TXlsFile
- XLSX (OpenXML) support is limited compared to purpose-built OpenXML libraries or FlexCel; modern Excel features introduced after BIFF are not fully supported.
- Limited support for complex features like charts, pivot tables, advanced conditional formatting, and some formula evaluation.
- VCL-only orientation: less suitable for cross-platform (FMX) or non-Windows targets.
- API is lower-level, which can require more code for advanced tasks.
When to choose TXlsFile
Choose TXlsFile when:
- You need fast, lightweight read/write of XLS files without Excel installed.
- Your work primarily targets legacy XLS files and simple cell-level operations (import/export, batch processing).
- You prefer a native Delphi component with minimal dependencies for server-side use.
- Licensing cost must be minimal or open-source.
When to choose Excel Automation (COM)
Choose COM automation when:
- You require 100% fidelity with Excel (rendering, charting, VBA, chart objects).
- You need Excel to evaluate complex formulas exactly as Excel does.
- Quick prototyping and direct UI control of Excel from Delphi is acceptable.
Do not use it for server-side or unattended automation due to instability and licensing issues.
When to choose FlexCel / XLSReadWriteII (TMS or similar)
Choose a commercial, feature-rich library when:
- You need broad XLSX and XLS coverage, robust formula support, and features like charts, images, PDF export, and cross-platform support.
- You want polished APIs, better documentation, and commercial support.
- You need FireMonkey or Linux support (FlexCel offers these).
When to choose OpenXML-based libraries
Choose OpenXML libraries when:
- Your environment focuses on modern Excel formats (XLSX) and OpenXML features.
- You need cross-platform support or prefer working with XML structures.
- You want smaller, modular solutions for reading/writing spreadsheets without Excel.
Practical recommendations
- For legacy-heavy, server-side batch tasks: TXlsFile.
- For full-feature parity and Excel-driven workflows: Excel Automation (only on desktop, not servers).
- For modern, cross-platform, feature-rich needs: FlexCel or other mature commercial libraries.
- For simple XLSX read/write and cross-platform scripting: use a dedicated OpenXML library.
Migration and hybrid approaches
You can combine libraries to get the best of both worlds:
- Use TXlsFile for fast, large-scale XLS processing and an OpenXML library or FlexCel for XLSX handling and advanced features.
- Export intermediate CSV or XML for simple data interchange, avoiding complex object features when cross-library compatibility is needed.
Example decision matrix
- Project: Server-side import of thousands of legacy XLS reports → TXlsFile.
- Project: Desktop app that needs to create formatted XLSX reports, charts, and export to PDF → FlexCel.
- Project: Quick automation of Excel with macros and exact calculation → Excel Automation (desktop only).
- Project: Cross-platform app (Windows + Linux + macOS) handling modern XLSX files → OpenXML library or FlexCel (FMX).
Final thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all. TXlsFile excels at fast, dependency-free handling of legacy XLS workbooks and is ideal for server-side batch tasks. For modern feature-rich XLSX support, cross-platform needs, or production desktop applications with charts, formulas, and export capabilities, consider commercial options like FlexCel or robust OpenXML libraries. Choose based on the dominant formats you must support, runtime environment (server vs desktop), and the importance of advanced Excel features.
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