Routines (alphabetical) > Routines: W > WRITE_SYLK

# WRITE_SYLK

The WRITE_SYLK function writes the contents of an IDL variable to a SYLK (Symbolic Link) format spreadsheet data file. SYLK files can be read by common spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel.

Note: This routine writes only numeric and string SYLK data. It cannot handle spreadsheet and cell formatting information (cell width, text justification, font type, date, time, monetary notations, etc.). A given SYLK data file cannot be appended with data blocks through subsequent calls.

This routine is written in the IDL language. Its source code can be found in the file `write_sylk.pro` in the `lib` subdirectory of the IDL distribution.

## Examples

Suppose you wish to write the contents of a 2 by 2 floating-point array, `data`, to a SYLK data file called “`bar.slk`” such that the matrix would appear with it’s upper left data at the cell in the 5th row and the 9th column. Use the following commands to write the file to the temporary directory. Note that the variable `status` will contain the value 1 if the operation was successful.

data = [[2.0, 3.8],[1.1, 9.6]]
slk_file = FILEPATH('bar.slk', /TMP)
status = WRITE_SYLK(slk_file, data, STARTROW = 4, STARTCOL = 8)
IF (status) THEN PRINT, 'SLK file written to ', slk_file

## Syntax

Result = WRITE_SYLK( File, Data [, STARTCOL=column] [, STARTROW=row] )

## Return Value

The function returns TRUE if the write operation was successful.

## Arguments

### File

A scalar string specifying the full path name of the SYLK file to write.

### Data

A scalar, vector, or 2D array to be written to File.

## Keywords

### STARTCOL

Set this keyword to the first column of spreadsheet cells to write. If not specified, the write operation begins with the first column found in the file (column 0).

### STARTROW

Set this keyword to the first row of spreadsheet cells to write. If not specified, the write operation begins with the first row of cells found in the file (row 0).

## Version History

4.0 | Introduced

## See Also

READ_SYLK