Winnovative Software Logo

 HTML to PDF Converter - Excel Library - ASP.NET Charts - RTF to PDF Converter
 PDF Merge and Split - PDF Security - PDF Viewers - PDF to Text - Images Extractor

  
Skip Navigation Links
 
Adding Data Validation to an Excel Worksheet Using Winnovative Excel Library for .NET
This sample shows how to add data validation to a worksheet. The allowed data can be selected from a list, can be an integer or float number in a range, a date or a text with a maximum length.
Getting Started
Cells and Ranges
Cell Styles
Excel Data Types
Excel Charts
Adding Images
Adding Formulas
Data Validation
Load/Get DataTable
Import from CSV
Edit Workbooks
To create the Excel workbook first select the format of the generated workbook and press the Create Workbook button. The Excel workbook will be created on the server and sent as an attachment to the browser. You will be prompted to open the generated workbook in an exernal viewer. The free Excel Viewer from Microsoft supports both the Excel 97-2003 (.xls) format and the new Excel 2007 (.xlsx) format.
Workbook Format:
Create Workbook Button Create Excel Workbook 




protected void lnkBtnCreateWorkbook_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    // get the Excel workbook format
    ExcelWorkbookFormat workbookFormat = radioXlsFormat.Checked ? ExcelWorkbookFormat.Xls_2003 : 
            ExcelWorkbookFormat.Xlsx_2007;

    // create the workbook in the desired format with a single worksheet
    ExcelWorkbook workbook = new ExcelWorkbook(workbookFormat);

    // set the license key before saving the workbook
    workbook.LicenseKey = "RW51ZXZ0ZXVldGt1ZXZ0a3R3a3x8fHw=";

    // set workbook description properties
    workbook.DocumentProperties.Subject = "Data validation sample";
    workbook.DocumentProperties.Comments = 
            "Add data validation to an Excel worksheet using Winnovative Excel
                library for .NET";

    #region CREATE CUSTOM WORKBOOK STYLES

    #region Add a style used for the cells in the worksheet title area

    ExcelCellStyle titleStyle = workbook.Styles.AddStyle("WorksheetTitleStyle");
    // center the text in the title area
    titleStyle.Alignment.HorizontalAlignment = ExcelCellHorizontalAlignmentType.Center;
    titleStyle.Alignment.VerticalAlignment = ExcelCellVerticalAlignmentType.Center;
    // set the title area borders
    titleStyle.Borders[ExcelCellBorderIndex.Bottom].Color = Color.Green;
    titleStyle.Borders[ExcelCellBorderIndex.Bottom].LineStyle = ExcelCellLineStyle.Medium;
    titleStyle.Borders[ExcelCellBorderIndex.Top].Color = Color.Green;
    titleStyle.Borders[ExcelCellBorderIndex.Top].LineStyle = ExcelCellLineStyle.Medium;
    titleStyle.Borders[ExcelCellBorderIndex.Left].Color = Color.Green;
    titleStyle.Borders[ExcelCellBorderIndex.Left].LineStyle = ExcelCellLineStyle.Medium;
    titleStyle.Borders[ExcelCellBorderIndex.Right].Color = Color.Green;
    titleStyle.Borders[ExcelCellBorderIndex.Right].LineStyle = ExcelCellLineStyle.Medium;
    if (workbookFormat == ExcelWorkbookFormat.Xls_2003)
    {
        // set the solid fill for the title area range with a custom color
        titleStyle.Fill.FillType = ExcelCellFillType.SolidFill;
        titleStyle.Fill.SolidFillOptions.BackColor = Color.FromArgb(255, 255, 204);
    }
    else
    {
        // set the gradient fill for the title area range with a custom color
        titleStyle.Fill.FillType = ExcelCellFillType.GradientFill;
        titleStyle.Fill.GradientFillOptions.Color1 = Color.FromArgb(255, 255, 204);
        titleStyle.Fill.GradientFillOptions.Color2 = Color.White;
    }
    // set the title area font 
    titleStyle.Font.Size = 14;
    titleStyle.Font.Bold = true;
    titleStyle.Font.UnderlineType = ExcelCellUnderlineType.Single;



    #endregion

    #region Add a style used for text messages

    ExcelCellStyle textMessageStyle = workbook.Styles.AddStyle("TextMessageStyle");
    textMessageStyle.Font.Size = 10;
    textMessageStyle.Font.Bold = true;
    textMessageStyle.Alignment.VerticalAlignment = ExcelCellVerticalAlignmentType.Center;
    textMessageStyle.Alignment.HorizontalAlignment = ExcelCellHorizontalAlignmentType.Right;
    textMessageStyle.Fill.FillType = ExcelCellFillType.SolidFill;
    textMessageStyle.Fill.SolidFillOptions.BackColor = Color.FromArgb(204, 255, 204);
    textMessageStyle.Borders[ExcelCellBorderIndex.Bottom].LineStyle = ExcelCellLineStyle.Thin;
    textMessageStyle.Borders[ExcelCellBorderIndex.Top].LineStyle = ExcelCellLineStyle.Thin;
    textMessageStyle.Borders[ExcelCellBorderIndex.Left].LineStyle = ExcelCellLineStyle.Thin;
    textMessageStyle.Borders[ExcelCellBorderIndex.Right].LineStyle = ExcelCellLineStyle.Thin;

    #endregion

    #region Add a style used for data validation ranges

    ExcelCellStyle dataValidationStyle = workbook.Styles.AddStyle("DataValidationStyle");
    dataValidationStyle.Font.Size = 10;
    dataValidationStyle.Font.Bold = true;
    dataValidationStyle.Alignment.VerticalAlignment = ExcelCellVerticalAlignmentType.Center;
    dataValidationStyle.Fill.FillType = ExcelCellFillType.SolidFill;
    dataValidationStyle.Fill.SolidFillOptions.BackColor = Color.FromArgb(153, 204, 0);
    dataValidationStyle.Borders[ExcelCellBorderIndex.Bottom].LineStyle = ExcelCellLineStyle.Thin;
    dataValidationStyle.Borders[ExcelCellBorderIndex.Top].LineStyle = ExcelCellLineStyle.Thin;
    dataValidationStyle.Borders[ExcelCellBorderIndex.Left].LineStyle = ExcelCellLineStyle.Thin;
    dataValidationStyle.Borders[ExcelCellBorderIndex.Right].LineStyle = ExcelCellLineStyle.Thin;

    #endregion

    #endregion

    // get the first worksheet in the workbook
    ExcelWorksheet worksheet = workbook.Worksheets[0];

    // set the default worksheet name
    worksheet.Name = "Data Validation Demo";

    #region WORKSHEET PAGE SETUP

    // set worksheet paper size and orientation, margins, header and footer
    worksheet.PageSetup.PaperSize = ExcelPagePaperSize.PaperA4;
    worksheet.PageSetup.Orientation = ExcelPageOrientation.Portrait;
    worksheet.PageSetup.LeftMargin = 1;
    worksheet.PageSetup.RightMargin = 1;
    worksheet.PageSetup.TopMargin = 1;
    worksheet.PageSetup.BottomMargin = 1;

    // add header and footer

    //display a logo image in the left part of the header
    string imagesPath = System.IO.Path.Combine(Server.MapPath("~"), @"Images");
    System.Drawing.Image logoImg = System.Drawing.Image.FromFile(System.IO.Path.Combine(imagesPath, "logo.jpg"));
    worksheet.PageSetup.LeftHeaderFormat = "&G";
    worksheet.PageSetup.LeftHeaderPicture = logoImg;
    // display worksheet name in the right part of the header
    worksheet.PageSetup.RightHeaderFormat = "&A";

    // add worksheet header and footer
    // display the page number in the center part of the footer
    worksheet.PageSetup.CenterFooterFormat = "&P";
    // display the workbook file name in the left part of the footer
    worksheet.PageSetup.LeftFooterFormat = "&F";
    // display the current date in the right part of the footer
    worksheet.PageSetup.RightFooterFormat = "&D";

    #endregion

    #region WRITE THE WORKSHEET TOP TITLE

    // merge the cells in the range to create the title area 
    worksheet["A2:G3"].Merge();
    // gets the merged range containing the top left cell of the range
    ExcelRange titleRange = worksheet["A2"].MergeArea;
    // set the text of title area
    worksheet["A2"].Text = "Adding Data Validation
        to an Excel Worksheet";

    // set a row height of 18 points for each row in the range
    titleRange.RowHeightInPoints = 18;
    // set the worksheet top title style
    titleRange.Style = titleStyle;

    #endregion


    #region Add Data Validation

    #region Validate data from a list

    worksheet["A5:E5"].Merge();
    worksheet["A5:E5"].Style = textMessageStyle;
    worksheet["A5:E5"].Value = "Select a value
        from the list:";

    // set the range to be validated
    worksheet["G5"].Style = dataValidationStyle;
    worksheet["G5"].ColumnWidthInChars = 25;
    worksheet["G5"].AddComment("Click this cell
        to select a value from list.");

    ExcelDataValidator listValidator = worksheet["G5"].DataValidator;
    listValidator.AllowedDataType = ExcelDataValidatorDataType.List;
    listValidator.AllowedValues = new string[] { "HTML to PDF Converter", "PDF Merge", 
                "PDF Security", "Excel Library for .NET" };
    listValidator.InputMessageText = "Select a value from the list";
    listValidator.ShowInputMessage = true;

    #endregion

    #region Validate a whole number between 0 and 10

    worksheet["A7:E7"].Merge();
    worksheet["A7:E7"].Style = textMessageStyle;
    worksheet["A7:E7"].Value = "Enter a whole
        number between 0 and 10 :";


    // set the range to be validated
    worksheet["G7"].Style = dataValidationStyle;
    worksheet["G7"].ColumnWidthInChars = 25;
    worksheet["G7"].AddComment("Click this cell
        to enter a whole number.");

    // Data Validation for Numbers
    ExcelDataValidator wholeNumberValidator = worksheet["G7"].DataValidator;
    wholeNumberValidator.AllowedDataType = ExcelDataValidatorDataType.WholeNumber;
    wholeNumberValidator.Operator = ExcelDataValidatorOperator.Between;
    wholeNumberValidator.Value1 = 0;
    wholeNumberValidator.Value2 = 10;
    wholeNumberValidator.ErrorAlertText = "A number between 0 to 10 is
        expected";
    wholeNumberValidator.ShowErrorAlert = true;
    wholeNumberValidator.ErrorAlertTitle = "Whole Number Validation Error";
    wholeNumberValidator.InputMessageText = "Enter a whole number between
        0 and 10";
    wholeNumberValidator.ShowInputMessage = true;


    #endregion

    #region Validate a date between 01/01/2000 and 12/31/2009

    worksheet["A9:E9"].Merge();
    worksheet["A9:E9"].Style = textMessageStyle;
    worksheet["A9:E9"].Value = "Enter a date
        between 01/01/2000 and 12/31/2009 :";

    // set the range to be validated
    worksheet["G9"].Style = dataValidationStyle;
    worksheet["G9"].ColumnWidthInChars = 25;
    worksheet["G9"].Style.Number.NumberFormatString = "m/d/yyyy";
    worksheet["G9"].Value = new DateTime(2008, 12, 15); // default value
    worksheet["G9"].AddComment("Double-Click
        this cell to enter a date in local format.");

    ExcelDataValidator dateValidator = worksheet["G9"].DataValidator;
    dateValidator.AllowedDataType = ExcelDataValidatorDataType.Date;
    dateValidator.Operator = ExcelDataValidatorOperator.Between;
    dateValidator.Value1 = new DateTime(2000, 1, 1);
    dateValidator.Value2 = new DateTime(2009, 12, 31); ;
    dateValidator.ErrorAlertText = "A date between 01/01/2000 and 12/31/2009
        is expected";
    dateValidator.ShowErrorAlert = true;
    dateValidator.ErrorAlertTitle = "Date Validation Error";
    dateValidator.InputMessageText = "Enter a date between 01/01/2000
        and 12/31/2009";
    dateValidator.ShowInputMessage = true;

    #endregion


    #region Validate the length of a text

    worksheet["A11:E11"].Merge();
    worksheet["A11:E11"].Style = textMessageStyle;
    worksheet["A11:E11"].Value = "Enter a text
        with length between 2 and 5 chars:";

    // set the range to be validated
    worksheet["G11"].Style = dataValidationStyle;
    worksheet["G11"].ColumnWidthInChars = 25;
    worksheet["G11"].AddComment("Click this cell
        to enter a text.");

    ExcelDataValidator textLengthValidator = worksheet["G11"].DataValidator;
    textLengthValidator.AllowedDataType = ExcelDataValidatorDataType.TextLength;
    textLengthValidator.Operator = ExcelDataValidatorOperator.Between;
    textLengthValidator.Value1 = 2;
    textLengthValidator.Value2 = 5;
    textLengthValidator.ErrorAlertTitle = "Text Length Validation Error";
    textLengthValidator.ErrorAlertText = "A text with length between 2
        and 5 chars is expected";
    textLengthValidator.ShowErrorAlert = true;
    textLengthValidator.InputMessageText = "Enter a text with length between
        2 and 5 characters";
    textLengthValidator.ShowInputMessage = true;

    #endregion


    #endregion

    // Save the Excel document in the current HTTP response stream

    string outFileName = workbookFormat == ExcelWorkbookFormat.Xls_2003 ? "DataValidation.xls" : "DataValidation.xlsx";

    System.Web.HttpResponse httpResponse = System.Web.HttpContext.Current.Response;

    // Prepare the HTTP response stream for saving the Excel document

    // Clear any data that might have been previously buffered in the
        output stream
    httpResponse.Clear();

    // Set output stream content type for Excel 97-2003 (.xls) or Excel
        2007 (.xlsx)
    if (workbookFormat == ExcelWorkbookFormat.Xls_2003)
        httpResponse.ContentType = "Application/x-msexcel";
    else
        httpResponse.ContentType = "Application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet";

    // Add the HTTP header to announce the Excel document either as an
        attachment or inline
    httpResponse.AddHeader("Content-Disposition", String.Format("attachment; filename={0}", outFileName));

    // Save the workbook to the current HTTP response output stream
    // and close the workbook after save to release all the allocated
        resources
    try
    {
        workbook.Save(httpResponse.OutputStream);
    }
    catch (Exception ex)
    {
        // report any error that might occur during save
        Session["ErrorMessage"] = ex.Message;
        Response.Redirect("ErrorPage.aspx");
    }
    finally
    {
        // close the workbook and release the allocated resources
        workbook.Close();

        #region Dispose the Image object

        if (logoImg != null)
            logoImg.Dispose();

        #endregion
    }

    // End the response and finish the execution of this page
    httpResponse.End();

}
Copyright © 2007- Winnovative Software Solutions