We’re happy to announce that the Modern templating engine is now available for XLSX templates in Plumsail Documents Processes!
XLSX templates now support the same flexible syntax as DOCX templates, including calculated properties, value functions, object and logical operations. We have also updated the documentation with examples written in Modern syntax.
Calculated properties
You can calculate new values directly in your Excel template and reuse them anywhere in the workbook. For example, you can calculate totals, count items, or create shorter names for long property paths.
Learn more: Calculated properties in XLSX templates
Value functions
Transform data with value functions. Use functions such as: format, map, filter, sort, sum, avg, count, join, substring, offset, contains, title-case, and is-empty.
You can chain several functions using |. The result of each function is passed to the next one:
Learn more: Value functions in XLSX templates
Object operations
Object operations let you insert different types of content into Excel cells, including:
- Barcodes and QR codes
- Pictures and compressed pictures
- Links
- Checkboxes
- HTML and Markdown
- Merged cells
- Conditional line breaks
Learn more: Object operations in XLSX templates
Logical operations
Use logical operations to control which content appears in the generated document:
#ifand#else— include or exclude entire blocks#hide-if— hide content when a condition is met#merge-left-if,#merge-right-if,#merge-top-if, and#merge-bottom-if— merge cells conditionally
Learn more: Logical operations in XLSX templates
Classic and Modern syntax at a glance
Here’s a quick comparison of how the same operations look in Classic and Modern syntax:
Getting started
The Modern engine is selected by default for all new Processes, and all premade templates now use Modern syntax.
The Classic engine is still fully supported, so there is no need to migrate your existing Classic templates right away.
Helpful resources:
- Excel XLSX templates (Modern)
- Demos for XLSX templates — purchase order, dynamic tables, charts, formulas, multiple worksheets
- Modern vs. Classic engine
- Excel XLSX templates (Classic)
Please note: The Modern XLSX engine is currently available only in Processes. Excel templates used in Power Automate, Zapier, and Make continue to use Classic syntax.