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Revolutionize Your Data Workflow with Syncfusion® Document Viewer for Visual Studio Code

TL;DR: The Syncfusion® Document Viewer for Visual Studio Code allows you to open, view, edit, and manage Excel, CSV, and TSV files directly in your editor. With features like sorting, filtering, and read-only mode, it enhances your workflow by keeping data management within VSCode, saving time and boosting productivity.

In today’s fast-paced development environment, managing data efficiently is critical for every project. Whether you’re a developer, data scientist, or business analyst, handling large datasets seamlessly within your development environment is essential to maintain productivity and focus. That’s where the Syncfusion® Document Viewer for Visual Studio Code comes in—an intuitive extension designed to help you open, view, edit, and manage Excel, CSV, and TSV files directly in your editor.

With built-in features like sorting, filtering, and a toggleable read-only mode, this extension equips you with powerful data manipulation tools without the need to toggle between multiple applications. Say goodbye to context-switching between your code editor and external spreadsheet or CSV viewers.

Prerequisites

Before getting started, make sure your environment meets the following requirements:

Installing the Syncfusion® Document Viewer Extension

You can easily install the Syncfusion® Document Viewer extension directly from Visual Studio Code. Here’s how:

  1. Launch Visual Studio Code.
  2. Open the Extensions View. Select the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the left side of the editor (it looks like four squares with one detached), or press Ctrl+Shift+X (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+X (Mac).
  3. Search for Syncfusion® Document Viewer in the search bar.
  4. Click on the Install option to add the extension to your editor.

Once installed, you can start working with Excel, CSV, and TSV files within VSCode.

Why Syncfusion® Document Viewer?

Developers and analysts often struggle with the constant need to switch between multiple apps to view or manipulate data, especially when working with file formats like Excel, CSV, and TSV. The Syncfusion® Document Viewer removes this friction by directly integrating powerful data management capabilities into Visual Studio Code. This will save you time and also foster a more focused and productive workflow.

Boost your productivity with advanced data features

The Syncfusion® Document Viewer doesn’t just allow you to view data—it empowers you with the tools you need to manage and manipulate data on the fly. Whether you’re analyzing a dataset or inspecting a CSV file for errors, this extension optimizes your workflow with a range of intuitive features that streamline data handling.

Key features

  • View, edit, and analyze data efficiently: Open and edit Excel (.xlsx), CSV (.csv), and TSV (.tsv) files directly within VSCode, making changes without switching between apps.
  • Sorting and filtering: Organize and review your data effortlessly with built-in sorting and filtering options available in column headers.
  • Read-only mode: Safeguard your data by toggling read-only mode to prevent unintended changes and maintain its integrity.

Use cases: Practical benefits for developers, data analysts, and teams

Edit data on the fly without leaving VSCode

For developers and data analysts working on projects that require frequent updates to CSV files or spreadsheets, the Syncfusion® Document Viewer makes it easy to open and edit these files directly in VSCode. There’s no need to switch to a separate tool—just open the file in your editor, make the necessary changes, and save it.

Ensure data integrity with read-only mode

Maintaining the integrity of the file is paramount when working with sensitive or critical data. The Read-Only Mode feature allows you to securely view the data without the risk of accidentally altering it. This is especially useful when reviewing shared data, configuration files, or reports that must remain unchanged.

Streamline data analysis

For those working with large datasets, sorting, and filtering can make all the difference in how you analyze data. The Syncfusion® Document Viewer lets you quickly sort and filter data within your files, making it easier to focus on key metrics, trends, or specific entries—all without leaving your development environment.

Customize your data handling experience

The Syncfusion® Document Viewer isn’t just about viewing and editing data; it’s designed to provide a customized experience that adapts to your specific workflow. Here’s how you can easily tailor your data management experience:

Configuring read-only mode

The Read-only mode ensures the integrity of your data by allowing you to view files without the risk of accidental changes. Here’s how you can configure it:

  1. Via the VSCode Status Bar:
    • After opening a file, click the Syncfusion® Document Viewer icon in the VSCode status bar.
    • A QuickPick bar will appear at the top of VSCode, with options to Enable or Disable read-only mode.
  2. Via VSCode settings (User/Workspace):
    • Go to VSCode SettingsExtensionsSyncfusion® Document Viewer.
    • Toggle the Read-Only Mode setting to Enable or Disable based on your preference.

This flexibility allows you to effortlessly switch between reviewing data securely and editing it when needed.

Configuring filtering and sorting on the first row

You can apply filtering and sorting to the first row of the worksheet for quicker access and smoother data review.

  1. Via the VSCode Status Bar:
    • After opening a file, click the Syncfusion® Document Viewer icon in the VSCode status bar.
    • A QuickPick bar will appear at the top of VSCode, enabling you to configure filtering and sorting on the first row of the worksheet.
  2. Via VSCode Settings (User/Workspace):
    • Go to VSCode SettingsExtensionsSyncfusion® Document Viewer.
    • You can toggle filtering and sorting options here, allowing you to enable or disable these features for the first row.

Accessing filtering and sorting directly in the file

  • For more granular control, right-click on any cell or column header to open a context menu that provides access to filtering and sorting options.
    Using column header:By right-clicking on a cell:

Future plans for extension enhancement

As we continue to improve the Syncfusion® Document Viewer for Visual Studio Code, we are excited to announce plans to support additional file formats. In the near future, we will add support for editing:

  • Word documents (DOCX): Seamlessly open, view, and edit Word documents directly within Visual Studio Code.
  • Rich text files (RTF, MD): Work with rich text formats like RTF and Markdown (MD) files, allowing for greater flexibility in content editing.
  • PDF files: View and edit PDF documents, enhancing the extension’s utility for developers and analysts who work with diverse data formats.

These updates will further streamline your workflow by integrating even more document types directly into your coding environment.

Note: For more details, refer to the Syncfusion® Document Viewer extension for Visual Studio Code documentation.

Conclusion

The Syncfusion® Document Viewer for Visual Studio Code is a must-have extension for developers and analysts who need to manage and analyze Excel, CSV, and TSV files within their IDE. With powerful features like read-only mode, sorting, filtering, and seamless file integration, this extension not only boosts your productivity but also streamlines your workflow by keeping everything in one place.

Integrating data management directly into your coding environment means you no longer have to waste time switching between apps. Whether working with configuration files, reports, or large datasets, the Syncfusion® Document Viewer empowers you to handle your data more efficiently than ever—without leaving VSCode.

If you’re an existing customer, you can download the latest version of Essential Studio® from the License and Downloads page. For those new to Syncfusion®, try our 30-day free trial to explore all our features.

For queries, you can contact us through our support forumfeedback portal, or support portal. As always, we are happy to assist you!

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Meet the Author

Sivasankar Mathiyazhagan

Sivasankar Mathiyazhagan is a passionate .NET developer at Syncfusion, working with C# and .NET technologies. He is a software engineer and has an enthusiastic approach to challenges and a strong commitment to continuous learning and growth.