# Read From Excel Files

> The example below explains how to read information from a row or a column, inside an `.xlsx` file. It presents activities such as [Read Row](https://docs.uipath.com/activities/other/latest/productivity/excel-read-row) and [Read Column](https://docs.uipath.com/activities/other/latest/productivity/excel-read-column). You can find these activities in the **UiPath.Excel.Activities** package.

The example below explains how to read information from a row or a column, inside an `.xlsx` file. It presents activities such as [Read Row](https://docs.uipath.com/activities/other/latest/productivity/excel-read-row) and [Read Column](https://docs.uipath.com/activities/other/latest/productivity/excel-read-column). You can find these activities in the **UiPath.Excel.Activities** package.

This is how the automation process can be built:

1. Open Studio and create a new **Process** named by default **Main**.
2. Drag a **Sequence** container in the **Workflow Designer**.
   * Create a variable named `totalColumnIndex` of type **Int32** and with the **Default** value of `0`.
3. Place an **Excel Application Scope** inside the body of the sequence.
   * Add the following path `"read_col_row_example.xls"` in the **WorkbookPath** field.
   * In the **Properties** panel, select the check boxes for the **AutoSave**, **CreateNewFile** and **Visible** options. The robot is now allowed to create a new Excel workbook, to automatically save all the changes made to it and to open the Excel file in the foreground while performing actions on it.
4. The **Excel Application Scope** includes a **Do** sequence. Select the sequence.
   * Create the following variables:

   | Variable Name | Variable Type | Default Value |
   | --- | --- | --- |
   | `firstRowValue` | IEnumerable<object> | **N/A** |
   | `totalColumnValues` | IEnumerable<object> | **N/A** |
   | `columnLetter` | Char | **N/A** |
5. Add a **Read Row** activity inside the **Do** sequence.
   * In the **Properties** panel, add the name of the sheet `"SalesOrders"` in the **SheetName** field. Add the value `"A1"` in the **StartingCell** field and the variable `firstRowValues` in the **Result** field.
6. Drag an **Assign** activity below the **Read Row** activity.
   * Add the variable `totalColumnIndex` in the **To** column and the value `array.IndexOf(firstRowValues.ToArray.Cast(of string).ToArray, "Total")` in the **Value** field.
7. Add another **Assign** activity right below the previous one.
   * Insert the variable `columnLetter` in the **To** field and the value `convert.ToChar(totalColumnIndex + 65)` in the **Value** field.
8. Place an Excel **Read Column** activity under the **Assign** activity.
   * In the **Properties** panel, add the name of the sheet `"SalesOrders"` in the **SheetName** field, add the value `columnLetter + "2"` in the **StartingCell** field and the variable `totalColumnValues` in the **Result** field, as output.
9. Add a **For Each** activity underneath the **Read Column** activity.
   * Insert the variable `totalColumnValues` in the **Values** field.
10. Drag a **Write Line** activity in the body of the **For Each** activity.
    * Add the value `item.ToString` in the **Text** field.
11. Run the process. The robot reads the first row of the excel file, which is considered the header, computes the index of the **Total** column, reads it, and logs the values in the console.

[Download example](https://docexamples.uipath.com/examples/Activities/Read%20from%20Excel%20Files%20-%20Example.zip)