TL;DR: Learn how to deploy the Syncfusion® EJ2 Spreadsheet image using Docker and ASP.NET Core 8.0. This guide simplifies backend setup and connects your client-side app to a scalable, Excel-like spreadsheet API.
The Syncfusion® EJ2 Spreadsheet is a powerful, Excel-like UI component that enables developers to build rich, interactive spreadsheet experiences in web applications. With features like data binding, formatting, Excel import/export, and more, it delivers seamless spreadsheet functionality across platforms.
Developers often struggle with backend setup when integrating Excel-like functionality into web apps. The Syncfusion® EJ2 Spreadsheet Docker image solves this by offering a ready-to-deploy backend powered by ASP.NET Core 8.0.
This guide walks you through deploying and integrating the Docker image with your client-side application.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure the following tools are installed and properly set up on your system:
- Docker Desktop: Compatible with both Windows and macOS
- Download .NET 8.0 SDK
Once these tools are installed, you’re ready to proceed with the full deployment workflow.
Quick start: Deployment via Docker Hub
Step 1: Pull the Docker image
Open your terminal and pull the official Syncfusion® Spreadsheet server image:
docker pull syncfusion/spreadsheet-server
Step 2: Create a Docker Compose file
Create a docker-compose.yml file in your project directory with the following content:
version: '3.4'
services:
spreadsheet-server:
image: syncfusion/spreadsheet-server
environment:
# Provide your license key for activation
SYNCFUSION_LICENSE_KEY: YOUR_LICENSE_KEY
ports:
- "6002:8080"
Note: Syncfusion® Spreadsheet is a commercial product. You must provide a valid license key to run it in production. Replace YOUR_LICENSE_KEY with your actual key.
Step 3: Start the Docker Container
Navigate to the directory containing your docker-compose.yml and run:
docker-compose up
Once running, the Spreadsheet server APIs will be available at:
- Open API: http://localhost:6002/api/spreadsheet/open
- Save API: http://localhost:6002/api/spreadsheet/save
Step 4: Connect the Client-Side Spreadsheet
In your client-side app ( JavaScript, React, Angular, Vue, ASP.NET Core, and ASP.NET MVC ), configure the Spreadsheet component to use the Docker-hosted API:
<SpreadsheetComponent
openUrl='http://localhost:6002/api/spreadsheet/open'
saveUrl='http://localhost:6002/api/spreadsheet/save'/>
Configure culture preferences in Docker Compose
By default, the Spreadsheet Docker container uses the en_US culture. To change it, set the LC_ALL, LANGUAGE, and LANG environment variables in your docker-compose.yml file. These values configure the server to run with the specified locale.
Here’s an example that sets the culture to German (de_DE.UTF-8):
version: '3.4'
services:
spreadsheet-server:
image: syncfusion/spreadsheet-server
environment:
# Provide your license key for activation
SYNCFUSION_LICENSE_KEY: YOUR_LICENSE_KEY
# Specify the culture to configure for the Spreadsheet server
LC_ALL: de_DE.UTF-8
LANGUAGE: de_DE.UTF-8
LANG: de_DE.UTF-8
ports:
- "6002:8080"
Customize & build Spreadsheet Docker image locally
Create your own Docker image if you want to add or customize functionalities.
Step 1: Set up your development environment
Make sure Docker Desktop and .NET 8.0 SDK are installed
Step 2: Clone the Docker service app
Clone or download the Docker service application from GitHub
Step 3: Build and run the Docker image
Open a terminal in the root folder of the sample and run the commands below.
docker build -t spreadsheet-image
docker run -d -p 6002:8080 --name spreadsheet-container spreadsheet-image
Step 4: (Optional) Use Docker Compose
Instead of manually running the container, you can use Docker Compose:
- Open a terminal in the root folder of the Docker sample.
- Build the image:
docker build -t spreadsheet-image
- Create a docker-compose.yml file:
version: '3.4'
services:
spreadsheet-container:
image: spreadsheet-image
environment:
# Provide your license key for activation
SYNCFUSION_LICENSE_KEY: YOUR_LICENSE_KEY
ports:
- "6002:8080"
- Run the service:
docker-compose up
Step 5: Connect the client app
Ensure your client app uses the correct API endpoints:
openUrl: 'http://localhost:6002/api/spreadsheet/open',
saveUrl: 'http://localhost:6002/api/spreadsheet/save',
Conclusion
Deploying the Syncfusion® EJ2 Spreadsheet backend using Docker and ASP.NET Core 8.0 provides a scalable and modular solution for enterprise-grade spreadsheet applications. By leveraging Docker Compose, developers can configure culture settings, manage environment variables (including license keys), and streamline deployment across environments. This setup ensures a smooth and consistent experience whether you’re using JavaScript, React, Angular, Vue, ASP.NET Core or ASP.NET MVC.
For more platform-specific guides, check out our Open and Save functionality tutorials below:
Customers with an active license can download the latest release of Essential Studio® from the license and downloads page. New users are invited to start a 30-day free trial to explore the latest features.
Need help? Reach out through our support forum, support portal, or feedback portal. We’re here to help you build modern, feature-rich applications with confidence and ease.
Related Blogs
- Host Open and Save Services for JavaScript Spreadsheet with ASP.NET Core and Docker
- Simple Steps to Validate Data in a JavaScript Spreadsheet
- Introducing the Blazor Spreadsheet: Excel-Like Power for Your Web Apps
- Introducing JavaScript Spreadsheet in Essential JS 2
This article was originally published at Syncfusion.com.