Question 1

How do I import an Excel file into Laravel models?

Accepted Answer

Create an Import class that maps spreadsheet columns to Eloquent attributes. Laravel Excel handles chunk reading and batch inserts for performance, and you can add validation rules during the import process.

Question 2

Should I use Laravel Excel or PhpSpreadsheet directly?

Accepted Answer

Use Laravel Excel for Laravel projects due to its integrated API and performance features like queuing. Choose PhpSpreadsheet directly if you need fine-grained control over Excel files or aren't using Laravel.

Question 3

How can I queue a large Excel export to avoid timeouts?

Accepted Answer

Implement the ShouldQueue interface in your export class. Laravel Excel will process the export in the background using Laravel's queue system, automatically chunking the data for efficiency.

Question 4

Can I export to CSV with a custom delimiter or encoding?

Accepted Answer

Yes, configure CSV settings in your export class, such as delimiter, enclosure, and encoding, to match specific requirements like tab-separated values or UTF-8 encoding.

Question 5

How do I handle Excel formulas when importing data?

Accepted Answer

By default, imported values are calculated results. You can customize import settings to preserve formula strings, but complex formulas may need additional parsing or PhpSpreadsheet tweaks.

Question 6

Is Laravel Excel compatible with Laravel Nova?

Accepted Answer

Yes, via a separate Laravel Nova Excel package mentioned in the README, which adds export/import functionality to Nova resources for administrative interfaces.

Laravel Excel

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