The Problem (Q-score 16, ranked #18th of 303 in the Excel VBA archive)
The scenario as originally posted in 2009
I want to create an Excel file and write data just like writing a text file with Java. I tried to change file extension from .txt to .xls. But I want to bold letters in the Excel file. How can I do that?
I have tried using the JXL API, but every time I have to create a label I want add no label. Can’t O edit row and column of the table?
Why this Range / Worksheet targeting trips people up
The question centers on reaching a specific cell, range, or workbook object. In Excel VBA, this is the #1 source of failures after activation events: every property (.Value, .Formula, .Address) behaves differently depending on whether the parent Workbook is explicit or implicit.
The Verified Solution — elite answer (top 10 %%) (+37)
37-line Excel VBA pattern (copy-ready)
//Find jar from here "http://poi.apache.org/download.html"
import java.io.*;
import org.apache.poi.hssf.usermodel.HSSFSheet;
import org.apache.poi.hssf.usermodel.HSSFWorkbook;
import org.apache.poi.hssf.usermodel.HSSFRow;
import org.apache.poi.hssf.usermodel.HSSFCell;
public class CreateExlFile{
public static void main(String[]args) {
try {
String filename = "C:/NewExcelFile.xls" ;
HSSFWorkbook workbook = new HSSFWorkbook();
HSSFSheet sheet = workbook.createSheet("FirstSheet");
HSSFRow rowhead = sheet.createRow((short)0);
rowhead.createCell(0).setCellValue("No.");
rowhead.createCell(1).setCellValue("Name");
rowhead.createCell(2).setCellValue("Address");
rowhead.createCell(3).setCellValue("Email");
HSSFRow row = sheet.createRow((short)1);
row.createCell(0).setCellValue("1");
row.createCell(1).setCellValue("Sankumarsingh");
row.createCell(2).setCellValue("India");
row.createCell(3).setCellValue("[email protected]");
FileOutputStream fileOut = new FileOutputStream(filename);
workbook.write(fileOut);
fileOut.close();
System.out.println("Your excel file has been generated!");
} catch ( Exception ex ) {
System.out.println(ex);
}
}
}
When to Use It — vintage (14+ years old, pre-2013)
Ranked #18th in its category — specialized fit
This pattern sits in the 89% 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.