Set Background Color Using Spreadsheet::SaveParser

gw1500se has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

I have a script that is working fine but I need to add one more touch. Given a certain cell content, I need to make the background color of that cell yellow. I have spent hours trying to use various things none of which work. This is what I am trying now.

my $format=$sheet->get_cell($i,$j)->get_format();
$format->set_color('yellow');
[download]

All I get is a null pointer error on the 2nd line. Can someone help? TIA.

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Re: Set Background Color Using Spreadsheet::SaveParser by jmcnamara (Monsignor) on Dec 17, 2012 at 17:13 UTC
The `get_format()` in the first line returns a Spreadsheet::ParseExcel Format object which doesn't have a `set_color()` method, or `set_anything()` method since it is a read/information only object. Possibly you are getting it confused with a Spreadsheet::WriteExcel format method that you have in the same program. If that is the case, then you will have to map the Spreadsheet::ParseExcel format properties to Spreadsheet::WriteExcel format properties, one by one. -- John.	[reply]
Re^2: Set Background Color Using Spreadsheet::SaveParser by gw1500se (Beadle) on Dec 17, 2012 at 18:45 UTC
Thanks for the reply. Not exactly confused as much as not understanding the capabilities of each. I thought SaveParser was a combined ParseExcel and WriteExcel, rather than something completely different. Logically, it seems that if I can add rows with SaveParser then I should also be able to set attributes on those rows. In any case, how do I go about updating an existing spreadsheet if not with SaveParser? Do I need to instead use both ParseExcel and WriteExcel instead? Can WriteExcel update and existing spreadsheet?	[reply]
Re^3: Set Background Color Using Spreadsheet::SaveParser by 2teez (Vicar) on Dec 18, 2012 at 06:51 UTC
Hi gw1500se, `"..In any case, how do I go about updating an existing spreadsheet if not with SaveParser? Do I need to instead use both ParseExcel and WriteExcel instead? Can WriteExcel update and existing spreadsheet?.."` To Update an existing Excel sheet Please see MODIFYING AND REWRITING EXCEL FILES Spreadsheet::ParseExcel::SaveParser module can be used to read and rewrite an Excel file (i.e Rewrite an existing Excel file). Though this module is a wrapper around Spreadsheet::ParseExcel and Spreadsheet::WriteExcel. Spreadsheet::WriteExcel module cannot be used to write to an existing Excel file. Please check the description of these modules: Spreadsheet::WriteExcel, Spreadsheet::ParseExcel and Spreadsheet::ParseExcel::SaveParser Hope this helps If you tell me, I'll forget. If you show me, I'll remember. if you involve me, I'll understand. --- Author unknown to me	[reply]
Re^4: Set Background Color Using Spreadsheet::SaveParser by gw1500se (Beadle) on Dec 18, 2012 at 13:06 UTC