PHPExcel_Writer_Exception with message "Could not close zip file php://output."

Question

I'm using PHPExcel to export some data to user in an excel file. I would like the script to send the excel file to the user immediately after it's creation. Here is my test code:

try{

  /* Some test data */
  $data = array(
    array(1, 10   , 2             ,),
    array(3, 'qqq', 'some string' ,),
  );

  $objPHPExcel = new PHPExcel();
  $objPHPExcel->setActiveSheetIndex(0);

  /* Fill the excel sheet with the data */
  $rowI = 0;
  foreach($data as $row){
    $colI = 0;
    foreach($row as $v){
      $colChar = PHPExcel_Cell::stringFromColumnIndex($colI++);
      $cellId = $colChar.($rowI+1);
      $objPHPExcel->getActiveSheet()->SetCellValue($cellId, $v);
    }
    $rowI++;
  }

  header('Content-Type: application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet');
  header('Content-Disposition: attachment;filename="export.xlsx"');
  header('Cache-Control: max-age=0');

  $objWriter = PHPExcel_IOFactory::createWriter($objPHPExcel, 'Excel2007');
  $objWriter->save('php://output');

}catch(Exception $e){
  echo $e->__toString();
}

On my local server (Windows 7 x64, Php 5.3.8, Apache 2.2.21) I get a valid xlsx file. There are no errors. But there is problem on the live server (Linux 2.6.32-5-amd64, PHP 5.3.3-7+squeeze13, Apache 2.2.16). The script lets the browser to download the "export.xlsx" file with such content:

exception 'PHPExcel_Writer_Exception' with message 'Could not close zip file php://output.' in /var/www/someuser/data/www/somedomain.com/libs/PHPExcel/Writer/Excel2007.php:348
Stack trace:
#0 /var/www/someuser/data/www/somedomain.com/classes/Report/Leads/Export.php(339): PHPExcel_Writer_Excel2007->save('php://output')
#1 /var/www/someuser/data/www/somedomain.com/application/pages/account/controllers/TestController.php(13): Report_Leads_Export->Test()
#2 /var/www/someuser/data/www/somedomain.com/libs/Zend/Controller/Action.php(516): Account_TestController->indexAction()
#3 /var/www/someuser/data/www/somedomain.com/libs/Zend/Controller/Dispatcher/Standard.php(295): Zend_Controller_Action->dispatch('indexAction')
#4 /var/www/someuser/data/www/somedomain.com/libs/Zend/Controller/Front.php(954): Zend_Controller_Dispatcher_Standard->dispatch(Object(Zend_Controller_Request_Http), Object(Zend_Controller_Response_Http))
#5 /var/www/someuser/data/www/somedomain.com/index.php(511): Zend_Controller_Front->dispatch()
#6 {main}

PHP is NOT running in Safe Mode. The "open_basedir" option is empty (it's commented out).

I have found such code in the PHPExcel files:

if ($objZip->close() === false) {
    throw new PHPExcel_Writer_Exception("Could not close zip file $pFilename.");
}

So the reason of the problem is that $objZip->close() === false where $objZip is an instance of ZipArchive class.

What is the reason of the problem and how can I solve it? Thank you.

score 44 · Accepted Answer · answered Jan 29 '14 at 19:07

44

The most common cause of this error when saving to php://output is an open_basedir restriction that doesn't include a valid system's temp folder (e.g. /tmp), or permissions for the system's temp folder... suhosin can also affect this, even when the obvious permissions appear to be set correctly.

A possible workround is to write the file to the filesystem in a directory that you know you do have full privileges to write, and then use readfile() to stream that file to php://output before deleting the file

answered Jan 29 '14 at 19:07

Mark Baker

209,507
32
346
385

Suhosin is installed on the live server, but it's not on the local one. So suhosin may cause the problem. But I wouldn't like to see into it. I would like to solve the problem simply using a temp file, as you advice. Thank you! – Pavel L Jan 30 '14 at 09:29
In my case, I have a typo .. :< so make sure you does not have any – Rangi Lin Dec 06 '15 at 09:06
2

Hey. Im goin into the same error. I tried to give /tmp and /var/tmp 777 and it does not work. How are you doin that? – muuvmuuv Feb 09 '17 at 23:06
Is there a solution not saving a temporary file to the filesystem? – Anders Lindén Oct 29 '17 at 08:39
I get that the file path is `./tml/export_123.xlsx` why the dot? – rexxar Jul 19 '18 at 10:47
1

The first dot (`./`) ensures that the path is relative to the current working folder; the second dot (`export_123.xlsx`) is the separator between the filename and the file extension – Mark Baker Jul 19 '18 at 11:38
Take care if you want to save to file, you must create a full parent path with `mkdir()` function, otherwise, you get `ZipArchive::close(): No error in ...`, because `Excel2007` doesn't create a path if it doesn't exist – Serhii Popov Dec 20 '19 at 13:41

score 28 · Answer 2 · edited Feb 02 '17 at 13:07

28

Thanks to Mark Baker. His answer has solved the problem. I have written a simple helper method using his approach.

static function SaveViaTempFile($objWriter){
    $filePath = sys_get_temp_dir() . "/" . rand(0, getrandmax()) . rand(0, getrandmax()) . ".tmp";
    $objWriter->save($filePath);
    readfile($filePath);
    unlink($filePath);
}

And I have just replaced $objWriter->save('php://output') with SaveViaTempFile($objWriter)

edited Feb 02 '17 at 13:07

fiorebat

3,431
2
18
18

answered Jan 30 '14 at 09:26

Pavel L

921
2
9
16

Sounds great, but where do you have to replace this? – molerat Mar 06 '18 at 05:20

score 6 · Answer 3 · answered May 08 '15 at 14:45

6

Hi i tried the following: in a server linux Centos 7.0 do not specified the route of directory tmp, input:

function SaveViaTempFile($objWriter){
    $filePath = '' . rand(0, getrandmax()) . rand(0, getrandmax()) . ".tmp";
    $objWriter->save($filePath);
    readfile($filePath);
    unlink($filePath);
    exit;
}

and work !!

answered May 08 '15 at 14:45

DIEGO ALEXANDER MORA HIDALGO

69
2
7

it didn't work for me – Alex78191 Oct 22 '21 at 12:30

score 2 · Answer 4 · answered Mar 23 '17 at 16:19

2

For some people who may have this same ERROR message : it may very simply be because the filename you're trying to save to is actually already open in your Excel.. Was my case

answered Mar 23 '17 at 16:19

Custam

75
7

this was in my case too, so it may happen to others, good to point it out. – Rakibul Haq Jan 23 '18 at 11:01

score 2 · Answer 5 · answered Feb 14 '18 at 20:04

Excelent Friend Work for me in php 7.1.2 and work in PhpSpreadsheet, fix the same file.

PhpSpreadsheet/Writer/Excel2007.php

the solution is in de function save in Excel2007.php

if (strtolower($pFilename) == 'php://output' || strtolower($pFilename) == 'php://stdout') {
    $pFilename = @tempnam(PHPExcel_Shared_File::sys_get_temp_dir(), 'phpxltmp');

Replace the second line with this:

$pFilename = dirname(__FILE__).'/'. rand(0, getrandmax()) . rand(0, getrandmax()) . ".phpxltmp";

thanks.

score 1 · Answer 6 · edited May 16 '15 at 18:27

1

I´ve had the same error when I try run my php file, just change the in next line:

$objWriter->save("/dir1"."/".$file.".xlsx");

for this:

$objWriter->save(dirname(__FILE__)."/dir1"."/".$file.".xlsx");

add the the dir path and it worked!!!.

edited May 16 '15 at 18:27

Brian Tompsett - 汤莱恩

5,753
72
57
129

answered May 16 '15 at 17:17

Giovanny Canasto

101
3

score 0 · Answer 7 · answered Feb 05 '16 at 09:38

0

And my answer is: Filename had symbols such as ":", ",", '"' Had to replace them to different ones. All worked

answered Feb 05 '16 at 09:38

Velaro

461
1
3
20

score 0 · Answer 8 · answered Jun 14 '19 at 14:09

0

This error happens also when trying to save a file into a folder that doesn't exist. Make sure the whole path exists.

answered Jun 14 '19 at 14:09

Joey Quint

45
6

score 0 · Answer 9 · answered Aug 01 '23 at 14:00

0

In my case I just tried to save file to folder, that wasn't exist. Created folder and problem was solved.

answered Aug 01 '23 at 14:00

Mick

1

Your answer could be improved with additional supporting information. Please [edit] to add further details, such as citations or documentation, so that others can confirm that your answer is correct. You can find more information on how to write good answers [in the help center](/help/how-to-answer). – Community Aug 04 '23 at 13:43

score -1 · Answer 10 · edited Feb 08 '17 at 01:22

The following works for the Excel2007 format. It would need to be adapted for different formats.

Open this file:

\Classes\PHPExcel\Writer\Excel2007.php

Look near Line 196 for:

if (strtolower($pFilename) == 'php://output' || strtolower($pFilename) == 'php://stdout') {
    $pFilename = @tempnam(PHPExcel_Shared_File::sys_get_temp_dir(), 'phpxltmp');

Replace the second line with this:

    $pFilename = dirname(\__FILE__).'/'. rand(0, getrandmax()) . rand(0, getrandmax()) . ".phpxltmp";

Then you can use the export-function as described in the developer guide.

score -1 · Answer 11 · answered Jan 09 '19 at 09:05

-1

In my case, I modify the permissions of the target folder to rwxrwxrwx (0777) and now works!

answered Jan 09 '19 at 09:05

Andrés M. Jiménez

288
4
8

You should never configure your server directories to be readable and writable by the entire world. – ZeWaren Dec 20 '19 at 10:28

score -2 · Answer 12 · answered Jul 22 '19 at 08:42

-2

It's caused by dir permission. Try to enter the final folder, then chmod -R 777 [folder_name]. It should work :)

answered Jul 22 '19 at 08:42

Jax Liu

11

1

This will open up the server to anyone, do not do this – ii iml0sto1 Oct 17 '19 at 06:21

score -3 · Answer 13 · answered May 04 '17 at 20:28

-3

set chmod 777 -R public/results

answered May 04 '17 at 20:28

Vasyl Bolshakov

1

1

This will open up the server to anyone, dont do this. – ii iml0sto1 Oct 17 '19 at 06:21

PHPExcel_Writer_Exception with message "Could not close zip file php://output."

13 Answers13

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