C++ library to load Excel (.xls) files

Q: Is this above-median answer still worth copying?

Answer score +11 vs the Excel VBA archive median ~4; this entry is solid. The score plus 6 supporting upvotes on the question itself (+6) means the asker and 10 subsequent voters all validated the approach.

Q: Which Excel VBA pattern ranks just above this one at #130?

The pattern one rank above is “Is the . in .Range necessary when defined by .Cells?”. If your use case overlaps, compare both before committing.

The Problem (Q-score 6, ranked #131st of 303 in the Excel VBA archive)

The scenario as originally posted in 2010

I’m looking for a free C++ library that can load .xls files in both Windows and Linux. If I had to make a choice, Linux would be the bare minimum.

I’ve tried LibXL, but got this amazing error:

“can’t read more cells in trial version”

So now I’m on the hunt for a free version :), unfortunately xlsLib doesn’t provide the ability to load existing .xls files.

Thanks

Why community consensus is tight on this one

Across 303 Excel VBA entries in the archive, the accepted answer here holds solid answer (above median) status — meaning voters are unusually aligned on the right fix.

The Verified Solution — solid answer (above median) (+11)

Advisory answer — community consensus with reference links

Note: the verified answer below is a reference / advisory response rather than a copy-ready snippet.

We have had success with: ExcelFormat

When to Use It — vintage (14+ years old, pre-2013)

Ranked #131st in its category — specialized fit

This pattern sits in the 97% 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 2010 and 2026

The answer is 16 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.

help
Frequently Asked Questions

Is this above-median answer still worth copying?
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Answer score +11 vs the Excel VBA archive median ~4; this entry is solid. The score plus 6 supporting upvotes on the question itself (+6) means the asker and 10 subsequent voters all validated the approach.

This answer links out — what are the reference links worth following?
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Read the first external link for the canonical reference, then search this archive for a top-10 entry in the same category — advisory answers are best paired with a ranked code snippet to close the loop.

This answer is 16 years old. Is it still relevant in 2026?
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Published 2010, which is 16 year(s) before today’s Office 2026 build. The Excel VBA object model has had no breaking changes in that window. Three things to re-test: (1) blocked macros on downloaded files (Mark-of-the-Web), (2) 64-bit API declarations (PtrSafe, LongPtr), (3) any shift toward Office Scripts for web scenarios.

Which Excel VBA pattern ranks just above this one at #130?
expand_more

The pattern one rank above is “Is the . in .Range necessary when defined by .Cells?”. If your use case overlaps, compare both before committing.

Data source: Community-verified Q&A snapshot. Q-score 6, Answer-score 11, original post 2010, ranked #131st of 303 in the Excel VBA archive. Last regenerated April 14, 2026.