In this example, I will show you how to import and export excel and csv files in laravel 12 application.

We will use the `maatwebsite/excel` composer package for import and export tasks. In this example, we will create a simple form for input where you can upload a CSV file and create multiple users. Then, I will create an export route that will download all users from the database in an Excel file.

So, let’s follow the steps below to create the import and export function in a Laravel 12 application. You can export files with .csv, .xls, and .xlsx extensions. You Can Learn How to add form validation in laravel 12 Example

How To Import And Export Excel And Csv Files In Laravel 12 Example

Step 1: Install Laravel 12

This step is not required; however, if you have not created the Laravel app, then you may go ahead and execute the below command:

laravel new example-app

Step 2: Install maatwebsite/excel Package

In this step, we need to install the `maatwebsite/excel` package via the Composer package manager. Open your terminal and enter the following command:

composer require maatwebsite/excel

Step 3: Create Dummy Records

In this step, we will create some dummy records for the users table so we can export them later. Let’s run the following Tinker command:

php artisan tinker
  
User::factory()->count(10)->create()

Step 4: Create Import Class

In Maatwebsite version 3, a way is provided to build import classes, which need to be used in the controller. It would be a great idea to create a new Import class. So, you have to run the following command and make the necessary changes to the code in that file:

php artisan make:import UsersImport --model=User

app/Imports/UsersImport.php

<?php
  
namespace App\Imports;
  
use App\Models\User;
use Maatwebsite\Excel\Concerns\ToModel;
use Maatwebsite\Excel\Concerns\WithHeadingRow;
use Maatwebsite\Excel\Concerns\WithValidation;
use Hash;
  
class UsersImport implements ToModel, WithHeadingRow, WithValidation
{
    /**
    * @param array $row
    *
    * @return \Illuminate\Database\Eloquent\Model|null
    */
    public function model(array $row)
    {
        return new User([
            'name'     => $row['name'],
            'email'    => $row['email'], 
            'password' => Hash::make($row['password']),
        ]);
    }
  
    /**
     * Write code on Method
     *
     * @return response()
     */
    public function rules(): array
    {
        return [
            'name' => 'required',
            'password' => 'required|min:5',
            'email' => 'required|email|unique:users'
        ];
    }
}

You can download the demo CSV file from here: Demo CSV File.

Step 5: Create Export Class

Maatwebsite version 3 provides a way to build export classes, which we use in the controller. It’s a great way to create a new Export class. To do this, you have to run the following command and change the code in that file:

php artisan make:export UsersExport --model=User

app/Exports/UsersExport.php

<?php
  
namespace App\Exports;
    
use App\Models\User;
use Maatwebsite\Excel\Concerns\FromCollection;
use Maatwebsite\Excel\Concerns\WithHeadings;
    
class UsersExport implements FromCollection, WithHeadings
{
    /**
    * @return \Illuminate\Support\Collection
    */
    public function collection()
    {
        return User::select("id", "name", "email")->get();
    }
    
    /**
     * Write code on Method
     *
     * @return response()
     */
    public function headings(): array
    {
        return ["ID", "Name", "Email"];
    }
}

Step 6: Create Controller

In this step, we will create a `UserController` with `index()`, `export()`, and `import()` methods. So, first, let’s create the controller by using the following command and update the code in it. You Can Learn How to generate pdf file in laravel 12 using dompdf Example

php artisan make:controller UserController

Now, update the code in the UserController file.

app/Http/Controllers/UserController.php

<?php
    
namespace App\Http\Controllers;
    
use Illuminate\Http\Request;
use Maatwebsite\Excel\Facades\Excel;
use App\Exports\UsersExport;
use App\Imports\UsersImport;
use App\Models\User;
    
class UserController extends Controller
{
    /**
    * @return \Illuminate\Support\Collection
    */
    public function index()
    {
        $users = User::get();
  
        return view('users', compact('users'));
    }
          
    /**
    * @return \Illuminate\Support\Collection
    */
    public function export() 
    {
        return Excel::download(new UsersExport, 'users.xlsx');
    }
         
    /**
    * @return \Illuminate\Support\Collection
    */
    public function import(Request $request) 
    {
        // Validate incoming request data
        $request->validate([
            'file' => 'required|max:2048',
        ]);
  
        Excel::import(new UsersImport, $request->file('file'));
                 
        return back()->with('success', 'Users imported successfully.');
    }
}

Step 7: Create Routes

In this step, we need to create routes for the list of users, importing users, and exporting users. So, open your `routes/web.php` file and add the following route.

routes/web.php

<?php
  
use Illuminate\Support\Facades\Route;
  
use App\Http\Controllers\UserController;
  
Route::get('users', [UserController::class, 'index']);
Route::get('users-export', [UserController::class, 'export'])->name('users.export');
Route::post('users-import', [UserController::class, 'import'])->name('users.import');

Step 8: Create Blade File

In the last step, let’s create `users.blade.php` (`resources/views/users.blade.php`) for the layout. We will write design code here and put the following code:

resources/views/users.blade.php

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>Laravel 12 Import Export Excel to Database Example - DevScriptSchool.com</title>
    <link href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/[email protected]/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css" rel="stylesheet" crossorigin="anonymous">
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdnjs.cloudflare.com/ajax/libs/font-awesome/6.5.1/css/all.min.css" />
</head>
<body>
      
<div class="container">
    <div class="card mt-5">
        <h3 class="card-header p-3"><i class="fa fa-star"></i> Laravel 12 Import Export Excel to Database Example - DevScriptSchool.com</h3>
        <div class="card-body">
  
            @session('success')
                <div class="alert alert-success" role="alert"> 
                    {{ $value }}
                </div>
            @endsession
  
            @if ($errors->any())
                <div class="alert alert-danger">
                    <strong>Whoops!</strong> There were some problems with your input.<br><br>
                    <ul>
                        @foreach ($errors->all() as $error)
                            <li>{{ $error }}</li>
                        @endforeach
                    </ul>
                </div>
            @endif
  
            <form action="{{ route('users.import') }}" method="POST" enctype="multipart/form-data">
                @csrf
  
                <input type="file" name="file" class="form-control">

                <br>
                <button class="btn btn-success"><i class="fa fa-file"></i> Import User Data</button>
            </form>
    
            <table class="table table-bordered mt-3">
                <tr>
                    <th colspan="3">
                        List Of Users
                        <a class="btn btn-warning float-end" href="{{ route('users.export') }}"><i class="fa fa-download"></i> Export User Data</a>
                    </th>
                </tr>
                <tr>
                    <th>ID</th>
                    <th>Name</th>
                    <th>Email</th>
                </tr>
                @foreach($users as $user)
                <tr>
                    <td>{{ $user->id }}</td>
                    <td>{{ $user->name }}</td>
                    <td>{{ $user->email }}</td>
                </tr>
                @endforeach
            </table>
    
        </div>
    </div>
</div>
       
</body>
</html>

Run Laravel App:

All the required steps have been done, now you have to type the given below command and hit enter to run the Laravel app:

php artisan serve

Now, Go to your web browser, type the given URL and view the app output:

http://localhost:8000/users