XLS module

XLS Module

Install and use the fully independent native BIFF8 reader and writer for Excel 97–2003 .xls files.

Updated July 30, 2026

LevelBeginnerReading time8 minPackagemnb/mnb-phpexcel

Xls::read()Xls::write()XlsReader::sheetNames()

What you will learn

Install native XLS support without an external spreadsheet engine.
Understand the OLE/CFB and BIFF8 layers handled by the package.
Choose XLS or XLSX based on compatibility and feature requirements.

Install the native XLS module#

composer require mnb/mnb-phpexcel:^2.0

The module requires PHP 8.1+, ext-iconv, and Core. It does not require, suggest, wrap, detect, or call PhpSpreadsheet.

Use the package-local facade#

use Mnb\PHPExcel\Format\Xls;

$rows = Xls::read('report.xls')
    ->sheet('Data')
    ->withHeaderRow()
    ->toArray();

Xls::write($rows, 'report-copy.xls', [
    'with_header' => true,
    'sheet_name' => 'Data',
]);

Understand the native architecture#

Layer	Responsibility
OLE Compound File Binary	Reads and writes the container header, FAT, DIFAT, MiniFAT, directory entries, normal streams, and mini streams.
BIFF8 workbook globals	Reads sheet metadata, shared strings, formats, styles, date system, and worksheet offsets.
BIFF8 worksheet streams	Reads and writes rows, cells, formulas, merges, dimensions, and pane settings.
Core ReadSession	Provides headers, projection, limits, row iteration, arrays, chunks, and normalized errors.

Choose XLS deliberately#

Format	Use it when
XLS	An existing Excel 97–2003 integration requires BIFF8, or a partner system cannot accept XLSX.
XLSX	You need modern workbook features, more rows and columns, Office password encryption, charts, pivots, media, comments, or advanced styling.
CSV	Only tabular values matter and the receiving system does not need workbook structure.

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