Convert Excel to Markdown Table in C#

Markdown tables are commonly used in technical documentation, README files, and static site generators. When spreadsheet data is maintained in Excel, converting it into Markdown allows the data to be reused in documentation systems while keeping it easy to read and version-controlled.

This article explains how to convert Excel files (XLS or XLSX) into Markdown tables using C#. It walks through library installation, step-by-step conversion, batch processing, and practical tips.

Install the Excel to Markdown Converter Library

To convert Excel files to markdown tables programmatically in C#, an Excel processing library is required. In this article, Spire.XLS for .NET is used. You can install it using either of the methods below.

Install via NuGet Package Manager

1. Open your project in Visual Studio.
2. Go to Tools → NuGet Package Manager → Manage NuGet Packages for Solution .
3. Search for Spire.XLS .
4. Install the package into your project.

Install via NuGet Package Manager Console

Alternatively, run the following command in the Package Manager Console:

Install-Package Spire.XLS

After installation, reference the library in your C# code:

using Spire.Xls;

How to Convert Excel to a Markdown Table in Csharp

To convert an Excel file to a Markdown table in C#, you need to load the Excel file into a workbook object, then save it as a Markdown file.

Steps to Convert Excel to a Markdown Table

The conversion process consists of three main steps:

1. Load the Excel file into a workbook object.
2. Save the workbook content as a Markdown file.
3. Release resources after the conversion is complete.

Example: Convert a Single Excel File to Markdown

using Spire.Xls;

namespace ConvertExcelToMarkdown
{
    internal class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            // Create a Workbook instance
            Workbook workbook = new Workbook();

            // Load an Excel file
            workbook.LoadFromFile("Sample.xlsx");

            // Save the Excel file as a Markdown file
            workbook.SaveToMarkdown("output.md");

            // Release resources
            workbook.Dispose();
        }
    }
}

After execution, the Excel worksheet data is written to a Markdown (.md) file as a formatted table.

Batch Convert Multiple Excel Files to Markdown

When working with multiple Excel files, batch conversion helps automate the process and improve efficiency.

Steps for Batch Conversion

1. Locate all Excel files in a directory.
2. Load each file into a workbook.
3. Save each workbook as a Markdown file.
4. Dispose of resources after each conversion.

Example: Batch Convert Excel Files

using Spire.Xls;
using System.IO;

namespace BatchConvertExcelToMarkdown
{
    internal class Program
    {
        static void Main(string[] args)
        {
            string inputFolder = @"InputFiles";
            string outputFolder = @"OutputFiles";

            Directory.CreateDirectory(outputFolder);

            foreach (string file in Directory.GetFiles(inputFolder, "*.xlsx"))
            {
                Workbook workbook = new Workbook();
                workbook.LoadFromFile(file);

                string outputPath = Path.Combine(
                    outputFolder,
                    Path.GetFileNameWithoutExtension(file) + ".md"
                );

                workbook.SaveToMarkdown(outputPath);
                workbook.Dispose();
            }
        }
    }
}

This approach is suitable for documentation pipelines and automated data publishing tasks.

Tips for Better Markdown Output

• Keep worksheets simple
  Avoid merged cells, charts, or floating objects that may not convert cleanly to Markdown.

• Use clear column headers
  Well-defined headers improve readability in the generated Markdown table.

• Review multi-sheet behavior
  Check how workbooks with multiple worksheets are exported and whether additional handling is required.

• Preview the output
  Open the .md file in a Markdown editor or repository viewer to confirm formatting.

• Dispose resources properly
  Always release workbook objects, especially in batch conversions.

Conclusion

Converting Excel files to Markdown tables in C# provides a straightforward way to reuse spreadsheet data in documentation and developer-centric formats. By installing an appropriate Excel processing library and following a simple load-and-export workflow, both single-file and batch conversions can be implemented efficiently.

With clean source data and careful resource management, Excel-to-Markdown conversion can be smoothly integrated into automated documentation and content publishing workflows.