PhpSpreadsheet is a pure PHP library for reading and writing spreadsheet files in formats including Excel, LibreOffice Calc, and others.
The library solves the problem of programmatically manipulating spreadsheet documents within PHP applications without requiring external dependencies or system libraries. It provides an object-oriented interface that abstracts the complexity of different spreadsheet formats, allowing developers to work with cells, formulas, formatting, and other spreadsheet features through a unified API.
Teams should adopt this tool if they need server-side spreadsheet generation or parsing in PHP applications, such as exporting data to Excel files or importing user-submitted spreadsheets. It suits projects ranging from simple CSV-to-Excel conversion to complex document manipulation with formulas and styling. For developers migrating from an older codebase, the library provides an automated migration tool to transition from its predecessor.
The project maintains a defined support window aligned with PHP's own lifecycle, committing to support each PHP version for six months beyond its official end of life. Development focuses on security and bug fixes for the master branch. The maintainer publishes detailed technical articles about advanced features and spreadsheet handling, with newer content initially available to supporters before being incorporated into public documentation.
