toexcel

toexcel is a command-line utility designed to convert various file formats into Microsoft Excel spreadsheet files (.xls or .xlsx). It primarily focuses on parsing tabular data from sources such as comma-separated values (CSV), tab-separated values (TSV), and fixed-width text files. The tool offers a straightforward way to import data into a structured format that can be easily manipulated and analyzed within Excel.

Users typically invoke toexcel from their terminal or command prompt, specifying the input file and the desired output Excel file name. The utility handles the parsing of the input data, identifying columns and rows, and then constructs the corresponding Excel workbook. It often includes options to customize the conversion process, such as specifying delimiters for CSV or TSV files, defining column widths for fixed-width data, or selecting specific sheets within an existing Excel file to append data to.

The primary benefit of toexcel is its automation capabilities. It allows users to integrate data conversion into larger scripting workflows, enabling them to process large datasets or regularly update Excel reports without manual intervention. This is particularly useful in data processing pipelines where data originates in plain text formats and needs to be readily available in a spreadsheet application for reporting or further analysis. The tool aims to simplify the process of getting data into Excel, making it accessible to users who prefer or require command-line operations.