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MNB PHPExcelDeveloper Guide
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Core concepts

Cell Values and PHP Types

Write intentional text, numbers, booleans, dates, formulas, and blanks without losing meaning.

Level
Intermediate
Reading time
8 min
Package
mnb/mnb-phpexcel
Updated
MnbExcel::text()number()bool()date()formula()blank()
Meaning first

Choose the cell type from what the value means, not what the string happens to look like.

Explicit typed values are most useful at ambiguous boundaries: identifiers that contain digits, date-like strings, formulas, booleans, and intentional blanks.

MeaningHelperPHP / source valueUse when
Texttext()'00123'Identifiers, postal codes, SKUs, and other strings whose characters must be preserved.
Numbernumber()12 / 249.95Quantities, amounts, measurements, and values intended for numeric operations.
Booleanbool()true / falseFlags and yes/no state that should remain boolean rather than text labels.
Datedate()DateTimeInterfaceDates or date-times that should retain date meaning and accept spreadsheet date formatting.
Formulaformula()=B2*C2Trusted formulas created by application logic, optionally with a cached result.
Blankblank()blankAn intentionally empty cell rather than an empty-looking text value.
Ambiguous input

Make the boundary explicit before writing the workbook.

A spreadsheet can display several different underlying meanings in similar-looking ways. Resolve that ambiguity in application code instead of asking Excel to guess.

InputTreat asWhy
00123TextLeading zeroes are part of the identifier.
12NumberThe application intends arithmetic or numeric comparison.
2026-07-26DateUse a date value when date semantics matter; do not rely on a date-looking string alone.
=B2*C2FormulaOnly when the expression is trusted application logic.
=HYPERLINK(...)Text for untrusted inputUser-controlled formula-like text should pass through the export safety policy.
Intentional cell values
use Mnb\PHPExcel\MnbExcel;

$row = [
    'Postal Code' => MnbExcel::text('00123'),
    'Quantity' => MnbExcel::number(12),
    'Active' => MnbExcel::bool(true),
    'Joined At' => MnbExcel::date(new DateTimeImmutable('2026-07-26')),
    'Total' => MnbExcel::formula('=B2*C2', 249.95),
    'Notes' => MnbExcel::blank(),
];
Stored value vs display

Keep the semantic value intact. Use formatting only to control presentation.

Currency symbols, percentage presentation, and date patterns belong to the display layer. They should not turn numeric or date values into presentation strings.

Value layer
Choose text, number, boolean, date, formula, or blank from the business meaning.
Display layer
Apply number/date styles after the value type is correct.
Review rule
If changing a display format changes the business meaning, the underlying value type is probably wrong.
Display formatting
MnbExcel::report($rows)
    ->currencyColumns(['Amount'], '$')
    ->percentageColumns(['Completion'])
    ->dateStyleColumns(['Order Date'], 'yyyy-mm-dd')
    ->save('report.xlsx');
Formula boundary

Treat trusted formulas and untrusted formula-like text as different data.

Application-authored formulas are intentional workbook logic. User-controlled strings require an export safety policy so spreadsheet software does not reinterpret them as executable formulas.

Trusted logic

Write an explicit formula value.

Use the formula helper for expressions created and controlled by your application.

Trusted application formula
$total = MnbExcel::formula('=B2*C2', 249.95);
Untrusted text

Escape formula-like export values.

Apply the safety policy to user-controlled exports, especially values beginning with =, +, -, or @.

Untrusted export text
MnbExcel::fromArray($rows)
    ->escapeFormulaLikeText()
    ->save('safe-export.xlsx');

Security boundary: presentation formatting does not make untrusted formula-like text safe. Handle formula interpretation explicitly at the export boundary.