> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.btsscorp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Excel Export

> Export query results to Excel format with professional formatting

## Overview

Koala Data Explorer's Excel export feature creates professional .xlsx files from your query results. This feature is available in the paid version and provides formatted spreadsheets ready for business use.

<Note>
  Excel export (.xlsx) is available in the paid version of Koala Data Explorer and supports unlimited rows up to Excel's native sheet capacity.
</Note>

## Excel Export Features

### Professional Formatting

Excel exports include:

* **Formatted headers**: Bold column headers
* **Data types**: Numbers, dates, and text properly formatted
* **Auto-sized columns**: Column widths adjusted to content
* **Professional appearance**: Clean, business-ready formatting

### Data Type Handling

Koala automatically formats data types in Excel:

* **Numbers**: Right-aligned with appropriate decimal places
* **Dates**: Proper Excel date format
* **Text**: Left-aligned with proper spacing
* **Null values**: Displayed as empty cells

## How to Export to Excel

### Quick Export

1. Execute your query to get results
2. Click the "Export" button in the results toolbar
3. Select "Excel (.xlsx)" format
4. Choose save location
5. File is created with professional formatting

### What's Included

Each Excel export contains:

* **Data sheet**: Your query results with formatting
* **Column headers**: Descriptive column names
* **Proper data types**: Numbers, dates, text formatted correctly
* **Professional styling**: Clean, readable format

## Excel File Features

### Formatting

* **Headers**: Bold formatting for easy identification
* **Data alignment**: Numbers right-aligned, text left-aligned
* **Column sizing**: Automatic width adjustment
* **Clean appearance**: Professional business format

### Compatibility

Excel files work with:

* **Microsoft Excel**: All modern versions
* **Google Sheets**: Import and edit online
* **LibreOffice Calc**: Open source alternative
* **Apple Numbers**: Mac spreadsheet application

## Use Cases

### Business Reporting

Perfect for:

* **Financial reports**: Formatted numbers and dates
* **Data analysis**: Ready for Excel pivot tables and charts
* **Presentations**: Professional appearance for meetings
* **Sharing data**: Universal Excel format

### Data Analysis

Excel files enable:

* **Further analysis**: Use Excel's built-in tools
* **Pivot tables**: Create summaries and aggregations
* **Charts**: Visualize your data
* **Formulas**: Add calculations and analysis

## File Size Considerations

### Large Datasets

For large result sets:

* **Koala streaming**: Koala streams rows until Excel's native limit (1,048,576 rows per sheet).
* **File size**: Larger datasets create bigger files; allow extra time for saving.
* **Performance**: Very large files may open slowly in Excel; consider CSV if you only need raw data.

### Row Limitations

Excel export limitations:

* **Free version**: Limited to 50 rows
* **Paid version**: Unlimited until Excel's sheet limit
* **Configured Max Rows**: If you set `maxRows`, Koala honors it before export

### Optimization Tips

For better performance:

1. **Adjust row limits**: Configure `maxRows` setting for your needs
2. **Use SQL limits**: Add `WHERE ROWNUM <= n` in queries
3. **Select specific columns**: Avoid SELECT \* for wide tables
4. **Filter data**: Apply WHERE clauses to reduce data volume

## Troubleshooting

### Common Issues

#### "Excel export not available"

* Check that you are on the paid version (Excel export is disabled in free mode)
* Verify no workspace policy is forcing CSV/JSON only
* If the button is disabled, confirm a result set exists and the query finished executing

#### "File too large"

* Reduce the number of rows in your query if Excel opens slowly
* Select fewer columns to decrease file size
* Use CSV format for extremely large datasets or automation

#### "Excel won't open file"

* Ensure you have Excel or compatible software
* Check file isn't corrupted
* Try opening in Google Sheets or LibreOffice

#### "Formatting looks wrong"

* Verify data types in your query
* Check for special characters in data
* Ensure proper date formats in Oracle

### Performance Issues

If Excel export is slow:

1. **Reduce data size**: Add ROWNUM limits to queries
2. **Fewer columns**: Select only needed columns
3. **Check available memory**: Close other applications
4. **Try CSV first**: Test with smaller datasets

## Best Practices

### Query Optimization

For best Excel exports:

1. **Use column aliases**: `SELECT employee_id AS "Employee ID"`
2. **Format dates**: Use TO\_CHAR for specific date formats
3. **Limit rows**: Add `WHERE ROWNUM <= 1000` for testing
4. **Select specific columns**: Avoid `SELECT *`

### File Management

Organize your Excel exports:

1. **Descriptive names**: Include date and query purpose
2. **Consistent location**: Save to organized folder structure
3. **Regular cleanup**: Remove old export files
4. **Version control**: Track different versions if needed

### Business Use

Make exports business-ready:

1. **Clear column names**: Use meaningful aliases
2. **Appropriate data types**: Ensure proper formatting
3. **Complete data**: Include all necessary columns
4. **Document purpose**: Note what the data represents

## Comparison with Other Formats

### Excel vs CSV

| Feature       | Excel                 | CSV              |
| ------------- | --------------------- | ---------------- |
| Formatting    | ✅ Professional        | ❌ Plain text     |
| Data types    | ✅ Preserved           | ❌ All text       |
| File size     | Larger                | Smaller          |
| Compatibility | Excel software needed | Universal        |
| Business use  | ✅ Ready to present    | Needs formatting |

### When to Use Excel

Choose Excel export when:

* **Presenting to business users**: Professional appearance matters
* **Further analysis needed**: Will use Excel features
* **Moderate data size**: Under 100,000 rows typically
* **Mixed data types**: Numbers, dates, text all present

### When to Use CSV

Choose CSV export when:

* **Very large datasets**: Over 100,000 rows
* **System integration**: Importing to other systems
* **Universal compatibility**: No Excel software available
* **Smaller file size**: Storage or transfer limitations

## Next Steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Data Sources" icon="database" href="/koala/advanced/data-sources">
    Explore available data sources
  </Card>

  <Card title="Query History" icon="history" href="/koala/advanced/sql-history">
    Manage your query history
  </Card>
</CardGroup>