Skip to main content

How to create table in Latex from MS Excel files or other external databases

Latex can be used to create tables from external files such as MS-Excel files saved as comma separated values or similarly many other formats. Recently, I received a comment where a reader suggested that I should post a tutorial on how to create tables in Latex from external files. I searched around and found multiple ways to achieve this. I am going to talk about two of the most popular ways of doing it. First one is using pgfplotstable and the second one is using datatool package.

Specifiacally, we are going to learn the following in this tutorial:
  1. Using datatool package to load external files
  2. Usng MS-Excel files to create tables in Latex
  3. Using \DTLloaddb to set keys and use external files
  4. Using \DTLforeach to iterate the external file
  5. Using \pgfplotstable package
  6. Using \booktabs package
  7. Using pgfplotstabletypeset
  8. Styling each column of table
  9. Using style rules from booktabs package
The following video tutorial explains both methods of creating tables in Latex using external database files.



The code for both of the methods is given below for your reference:
The first method - suing datatool package
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{datatool}
\DTLloaddb[keys={c1,c2,c3}]{ctext}{csvtext.csv}
\begin{document}
\begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{clr}
\textbf{Software} & \textbf{Manufacturer} & \textbf{Malware}
\DTLforeach{ctext}{
\cola=c1,\colb=c2,\colc=c3}{\\
\cola & \colb & \colc}
\end{tabular}
\end{table}
\end{document}
The second method - using pgfplotstable package
\documentclass{article}
\usepackage{pgfplotstable}
\usepackage{booktabs}
\begin{document}
\pgfplotstabletypeset[
col sep=comma,
columns/Software/.style={string type},
columns/num1/.style={string type},
columns/num2/.style={string type},
every head row/.style={
before row=\toprule,
after row =\midrule
},
every last row/.style={after row=\bottomrule}
]{csvtext.csv}
\end{document}

Labels:

Comments

  1. AnonymousNovember 28, 2012 at 12:44 PM

    I assume you can also format the table cells using pgfplotstable (e.x. ccc) and put them in table environment. Is this right?

    ReplyDelete
  2. priyabrata pradhanDecember 22, 2014 at 11:24 PM

    Hello! Ur videos r quite interesting. I am facing the following errors. Kindly help

    ! Package pgfplots Error: Could not read table file 'csvtext.csv'. In case you
    intended to provide inline data: maybe TeX screwed up your end-of-lines? Try `r
    ow sep=crcr' and terminate your lines with `\\' (refer to the pgfplotstable man
    ual for details).

    See the pgfplots package documentation for explanation.
    Type H for immediate help.
    ...

    l.19 ]{csvtext.csv}

    ?

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Comments on QuickLatex are strictly moderated. As much as I hate moderation, I must fight spam. Please rest assured that if your comment is relevant I will approve it and answer.

Popular posts from this blog

Writing basic math in LaTeX - inline math and math environment

Internet abounds with LaTex tutorials on how to write mathematics equations and simple symbols in LaTeX. It is sometimes not clear as to how the math environment works in general and how to differntiate between inline math equations and how to write them on a line of their own. I earlier did a tutorial on how to write mathematical equations using Latex  which covered the "equation" environment in LaTeX. Math environment is equally important and in this tutorial I am going to talk about how to use basic math environment in LaTeX. Specifically, I am going to discuss how to do the following in LaTeX: How to initiate Math environment Writing inline math equations and writing equations in a separate line How to use frac for equations How to use paranthesis and brackets to enclose mathematical symbols and equations How to type powers and indices How to write matrices Following video illustrates the step by step instructions to use math in LaTeX   The code used in
5 comments
Read more

LaTeX Video Tutorial: How to Create a Resume or CV (Curriculum Vitae) using LaTeX

One of the most frequent questions my colleagues ask me is how to create a Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV), if you will, in LaTeX . I have a style file that was passed to me by a friend who found it on Internet. Since this looked good I used it and, thanks to the original contributor, I am going to share it with you all today. You will be able to download these files and create a professional Resume for yourself.  The files can be download from the linked locations: The Resume.tex file (main document) The Class file res.cls (for page setting) In the video tutorial , attached below, I have explained how to change the text for your needs. The structure of the Resume (or CV) is highly flexible and once you get hold of the basics it will be pretty straight forward for you to tweak it for your own use.  I have tried to add the basic sections that are present in most of the Resumes but you will most probably add more depending on your requirements. I am pretty sure it
23 comments
Read more

Latex Tutorial: How to Create Images, Diagrams, and Flow Charts Using Latex

This tutorial is an extension of previous video tutorial on how to use tikz for image creation in Latex . In this video I explain how to set up your document for flow chat design. This equally applies to any other image that uses similar structure. Specifically, in this video I talk about following things: How to create a flow chart How to setup styles for reusable components of an image How to draw arrows from one component to other How to change the styles of components How to change the arrowhead for Latex arrows How to align components left, right, top, and below of each other The code use:d in the video is here: \documentclass{article} \usepackage{tikz} \usetikzlibrary{shapes,shadows,arrows} \begin{document} \tikzstyle{decision} = [diamond, draw, fill=blue!50] \tikzstyle{line} = [draw, -stealth, thick] \tikzstyle{elli}=[draw, ellipse, fill=red!50,minimum height=8mm, text width=5em, text centered] \tikzstyle{block} = [draw, rectangle, fill=blue!50, text width
6 comments
Read more