The Problem (Q-score 6, ranked #207th of 303 in the Excel VBA archive)
The scenario as originally posted in 2009
I need to create an excel file via C#. I have read a few places that creating an XML document is the easiest way to do this? I need to have multiple named tabs and be able to specify that particular cells are text, date time, numeric, etc… Any suggestions or good examples?
Why community consensus is tight on this one
Across 303 Excel VBA entries in the archive, the accepted answer here holds niche answer (below median) status — meaning voters are unusually aligned on the right fix.
The Verified Solution — niche answer (below median) (+7)
Advisory answer — community consensus with reference links
Note: the verified answer below is a reference / advisory response rather than a copy-ready snippet.
You need the System.IO.Packaging API – this will allow you to generate .xlsx documents as described in Inserting Values into Excel 2007 Cells. The Excel 2007 format can also be used by Excel 2003 and XP with the free Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack installed.
When to Use It — vintage (14+ years old, pre-2013)
Ranked #207th in its category — specialized fit
This pattern sits in the 98% tail relative to the top answer. Reach for it when your scenario closely matches the question title; otherwise browse the Excel VBA archive for a higher-consensus alternative.
What changed between 2009 and 2026
The answer is 17 years old. The Excel VBA object model has been stable across Office 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 365, and 2024/2026 LTSC, so the pattern still compiles. Changes that might affect you: 64-bit API declarations (use PtrSafe), blocked macros in downloaded files (Mark-of-the-Web), and the shift toward Office Scripts for web-first workflows.