MATLAB: What are the limitations of XLSREAD when run in ‘basic’ mode

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I am unable to invoke Microsoft Excel as an automation server. As a result, I must use XLSREAD in 'basic' mode. I would like to know the limitations of XLSREAD when running in 'basic' mode.

Best Answer

On Windows systems with Microsoft Excel software, "xlsread" reads any file format recognized by your version of Excel.

If your system does not have Excel for Windows, "xlsread" operates in "basic" import mode.

Flag to request reading in 'basic' mode, specified as the literal string, 'basic'

'basic' mode is the default for systems without Excel for Windows. In 'basic' mode, "xlsread"

Reads XLS, XLSX, XLSM, XLTX, and XLTM files only.
Does not support an 'xlRange' input when reading XLS files. In this case, use '' in place of 'xlRange'.
Does not support function handle inputs.
Imports all dates as Excel serial date numbers. Excel serial date numbers use a different reference date than MATLAB date numbers

The appropriate syntax for using "xlsread" in 'basic' mode may be found in the following documentation page:

<http://www.mathworks.com/help/matlab/ref/xlsread.html>

You may access the same page locally by typing the following at the MATLAB prompt:

web(fullfile(docroot, 'matlab/ref/xlsread.html'))

Related Solutions

MATLAB: How to use activex to copy an Excel spreadsheet within the same workbook

The underlying API behind "actxserver" is Microsoft's COM interface. MATLAB simply leverages the COM interface to make calls using Microsoft's APIs. For questions on using the COM interface and syntax please consult Microsoft Documentation and Microsoft Technical Support if necessary.

For copying sheets, please refer to the following documentation page.

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/office/vba/api/excel.worksheet.copy

Using this, you can use the Example script attached. The crux of the example is at:

a = e.ActiveSheet;
invoke(a,'Copy',[], a)
e.ActiveSheet.Name = "gsData_01";

The first step is to get the active sheet, which in this case is the sheet to be copied.

Next we use the "invoke" function to call the sheet copy method documented in the link above. We are using the optional argument "After" (as noted in the documentation) with the active sheet again in order to place the new sheet after the copied sheet.

Finally, the newly copied sheet is set as the active sheet and thus we can rename it by renaming the ActiveSheet.

Alternatively, you could manually copy a sheet using by first reading the original sheet into MATLAB and then writing it back to Excel as a new sheet. This is discussed in more detail at:

https://www.mathworks.com/matlabcentral/answers/407071-how-to-copy-excel-sheet-from-book-to-book

MATLAB: Can xlsread be used without MS Office

'_xlsread_' can be used in a compiled application without MS office.

But it will read excel file in 'BASIC' mode.

In basic mode, xlsread:

Reads XLS, XLSX, XLSM, XLTX, and XLTM files only.

Does not support an xlRange input when reading XLS files. In this case, use '' in place of xlRange.

Does not support function handle inputs.

Imports all dates as Excel serial date numbers. Excel serial date numbers use a different reference date than MATLAB date numbers.

Best Answer

Related Solutions

MATLAB: How to use activex to copy an Excel spreadsheet within the same workbook

MATLAB: Can xlsread be used without MS Office

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