Spreadsheet Gem - updating an existing sheet without changing the output location or filename

spreadsheet_test

#!/usr/bin/env ruby
require 'spreadsheet'

# Begin Test
print "Spreadsheet Test\n"

# Create the rows to be inserted
row_1 = ['A1', 'B1']
row_2 = ['A2', 'B2']

# Create a new Workbook
new_book = Spreadsheet::Workbook.new

# Create the worksheet
new_book.create_worksheet :name => 'Sheet Name'

# Add row_1
new_book.worksheet(0).insert_row(0, row_1)

# Write the file
new_book.write('test.xls')

# Wait for the user to inspect the file manually
print "Sheet Created, press Enter to continue...."
gets

# Open the previously created Workbook
open_book = Spreadsheet.open('test.xls')

# Get the row index in order to append a new row 
# after any exisitng rows with data
new_row_index = open_book.worksheet(0).last_row_index + 1

# Indicate the row index to the user
print "Inserting new row at index: #{new_row_index}\n"

# Insert row_2
open_book.worksheet(0).insert_row(new_row_index, row_2)

# Delete the file so that it can be re-written
File.delete('test.xls')

# Write out the Workbook again
open_book.write('test.xls')

# End Test
print "Test Complete.\n"

The File.delete('test.xls') line in the above code is to be written even when we are updating same file.For eg. We have 30 rows already and now will add new 10 rows.
In that case we read the file

book = Spreadsheet.open('test.xls')
@xml_records = [ ] #a blank array
sheet1 = book.worksheet(0)
sheet1.each_with_index do |row,index|
if index != 0
@xml_records << row[0]
end
end

In this way. The @xml_records is array contains all rows. Then will check the new row is present in it or not. If not enter it in file

How we check that row present in xls and if not enter the row. It can be done like this

Like we have a new row row2 = ['data1','data2','data3']

    if !@xml_records.include? @row2[0]     #or row2[1] or row[2] whichever you think is unique column
                    new_row_index = book.worksheet(0).last_row_index + 1
         book.worksheet(0).insert_row(new_row_index, @row_2) 
            end
            book.write('test.xls')

The File.delete() deletes the file but store the previous data of file in a buffer.
Use the above code and these stuff.This will update your excel file.

does this gem supports xlsx format?

is there any way to 1. wrap/justify text? 2. fix width and height of row/cell? any example will be awesome!

It works! Could you please explain this? How is deleting the file helping solve the issue?

Hi !!
How to access a drop down list in .xls file using this ruby spreadsheet gem?

@ALL Have not gone through full api documentation. But, could not figure out how to write .XLS headers. Do anybody know how to? Thanks in advance.

Hi, anyone knows how can I read a xlsb file with this gem? any example?

Thanks!