File Content Extraction 26.2
XML Export SDK Java Programming Guide

# Convert Spreadsheet Files

Export has special configuration options that allow greater control over the conversion of spreadsheet files.

## Convert Hidden Text in Microsoft Excel Files

Normally, Export does not convert hidden text from a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet because it is assumed that the text should not be exposed. You can change this default behavior and convert text in hidden rows, columns, and sheets by adding the following lines to the `formats_e.ini` file:

    [Options]
    gethiddeninfo=1

## Convert Headers and Footers in Microsoft Excel 2003 Files

Normally, Export does not convert headers and footers from Microsoft Excel 2003 spreadsheets. You can change this default behavior and convert headers and footers by adding the following lines to the `formats_e.ini` file:

    [Options]
    ShowHeaderFooter=1

## Specify Date and Time Format on UNIX Systems

System date and time format information is not stored in Microsoft Excel files. On Windows systems, you can specify a locale setting to determine the date and time format. However, on UNIX systems, the date and time format is set to the U.S. short date format by default (mm/dd/yyyy). To change the format, you must use a `formats_e.ini` option.

To specify the system date and time format on UNIX systems

- In the `formats.ini` file, specify the following options:

  - `SysDateTime`. The format to use when a cell is formatted using the system format including both the date and the time.
  - `SysLongDate`. The format to use when a cell is formatted using the system long date format.
  - `SysShortDate`. The format to use when a cell is formatted using the system short date format.
  - `SysTime`. The format to use when a cell is formatted using the system time format.

  NOTE: These values cannot contain spaces.

  For example, if you specify `SysDateTime=%d/%m/%Y`, dates and times are extracted in the following format:

  28/02/2008

  The format arguments are the same as those for the `strftime()` function. Refer to the following web page for more information.

  See http://linux.die.net/man/3/strftime for more information.

## Convert Very Large Numbers in Spreadsheet Cells to Precision Numbers

You can export numbers in Microsoft Excel files and write them to the output without formatting. By default, numbers are exported in the format specified by the Excel file (for example, General, Currency, and Date). Spreadsheets might contain cells that have very large numbers in them. Excel displays the numbers in a scientific notation that rounds or truncates the numbers.

To export numbers without formatting, add the following options in the following lines to the `formats_e.ini` file:

    [Options]
    ignoredefnumformats=1

## Extract Microsoft Excel Formulas

Normally, the actual value of a formula is extracted from an Excel spreadsheet; the formula from which the value is derived is not included in the output. However, File Content Extraction enables you to include the value as well as the formula in the output. For example, if Export is configured to extract the formula and the formula value, the output might look like this:

    245 = SUM(B21:B26)

The calculated value from the cell is `245`, and the formula from which the value is derived is `SUM(B21:B26)`.

NOTE: Depending on the complexity of the formulas, enabling formula extraction might result in slightly slower performance.

To set the extraction option for formulas, add the following lines to the `formats_e.ini` file:

    [Options]
    getformulastring=option

where `option` is one of the following:

Option | Description
--- | ---
`0` | Extract the cell value only. This is the default.
`1` | Extract the formula only.
`2` | Extract the formula and the cell value.

NOTE: If a function in a formula is invalid, and option 1 or 2 is specified, only the calculated value is extracted.

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Version 26.2 | Last updated April 2026

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Product: File Content Extraction 26.2

Topic Title: Convert Spreadsheet Files