How to Use ExcelJS Charts with Cloud Technology for Scalable Reporting?
In today’s data-driven business environment, clear and scalable reporting is essential for making informed decisions. Whether you are a developer, data analyst, or business leader, combining ExcelJS charts with cloud technology offers a powerful solution for generating interactive, on-demand reports. This modern approach allows you to automate Excel file creation, visualise data effectively, and scale reporting tasks across teams or clients in real time.
In this article, we will explore how ExcelJS—a powerful JavaScript library for manipulating Excel files—can be integrated with cloud services to create automated, scalable reporting systems.
What is ExcelJS?
ExcelJS is a JavaScript library that allows developers to read, write, and manipulate Excel files (.xlsx format) directly in Node.js or the browser. It supports features such as:
Cell formatting
Formulas
Tables
Conditional formatting
Charts (with third-party plugins or workarounds)
Streaming large datasets
ExcelJS is ideal for developers who need to programmatically generate Excel reports without relying on Microsoft Excel or other office tools on the server.
Why Combine ExcelJS with Cloud Technology?
While ExcelJS handles the report creation, cloud platforms provide the infrastructure to scale and automate the reporting process. Here’s why the combination works:
Automation: Trigger report generation based on events or schedules using serverless functions (e.g., AWS Lambda, Azure Functions).
Storage & Access: Store generated Excel reports in cloud storage services like Amazon S3, Google Cloud Storage, or Azure Blob.
Scalability: Cloud services handle spikes in usage, making it easy to serve reports to thousands of users simultaneously.
Integration: Connect to cloud-hosted databases, APIs, and CRMs to pull fresh data for every report.
How to Use ExcelJS with Cloud for Reporting (Step-by-Step)?
Step 1: Set Up Your Cloud Environment
Choose a cloud platform (AWS, Azure, or GCP). For example, using AWS Lambda, you can run your ExcelJS code without managing servers. You’ll also need a cloud storage bucket to save or distribute the reports.
Step 2: Install and Configure ExcelJS
Use Node.js and install ExcelJS:
bash
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npm install exceljs
Then, import it into your script:
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const ExcelJS = require(‘exceljs’);
Step 3: Create a Workbook and Add Data
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const workbook = new ExcelJS.Workbook();
const sheet = workbook.addWorksheet(‘Sales Report’);
sheet.columns = [
{ header: ‘Item Name’, key: ‘product’, width: 20 },
{ header: ‘Units Sold’, key: ‘units’, width: 15 },
{ header: ‘Total Earnings’, key: ‘revenue’, width: 15 },
];
sheet.addRows([
{ product: ‘Item A’, quantity: 150, totalRevenue: 3000 },
{ product: ‘Item B’, units: 200, revenue: 5000 },
]);
Step 4: Add Charts (Using Workarounds)
ExcelJS does not currently support native chart creation. However, you can:
Use template-based generation by editing pre-existing Excel files that contain charts.
Combine ExcelJS with libraries like officechart or xlsx-populate for chart support.
Export data and use Power BI/Google Data Studio for chart rendering on the cloud.
Step 5: Save or Stream the Excel File
For local or serverless environments:
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await workbook.xlsx.writeFile(‘/tmp/report.xlsx’);
Or, stream it directly to a buffer and upload to cloud storage:
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const buffer = await workbook.xlsx.writeBuffer();
// Upload the buffer to AWS S3 or Azure Blob storage
Step 6: Automate with Cloud Functions
Trigger ExcelJS scripts using:
API Gateway combined with AWS Lambda enables on-demand report generation.
Cloud Scheduler for periodic reports
Webhook triggers for real-time updates
Benefits of Cloud-Based ExcelJS Reporting
Real-Time Data: Always up-to-date, sourced from cloud databases or APIs
Zero Infrastructure Maintenance: Thanks to serverless cloud functions
Global Access: Share Excel reports via secure cloud links or email automation
Customisable: Easily adapt templates, data, and output formats
Final Thoughts
Combining ExcelJS charts with cloud technology offers a flexible and scalable solution for reporting needs across industries. Whether you are building dashboards for a SaaS app, automating sales reports, or creating financial statements, this integration allows you to streamline workflows, reduce manual errors, and deliver insights faster.
Start leveraging this tech stack today to unlock scalable, cloud-native Excel reporting for your business or clients.
