How to update custom properties of a package (Word, Excel) without using Ooxml SDK?

Question

Hi,

I am trying to change the value of a custom property of a Package (Word or Excel documents) using plain C# and XLinq instead of Ooxml SDK.  However, it corrupts the file and does not reflect the change in the package.

Can someone please suggest what is incorrect here?

            Package package = null;
            try
            {
                package = Package.Open("NewCustomProp.docx", FileMode.OpenOrCreate, FileAccess.ReadWrite);
                foreach (var packagePart in package.GetParts())
                {
                    if (packagePart.ContentType == "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.custom-properties+xml")
                    {
                        var packageStream = packagePart.GetStream(FileMode.OpenOrCreate, FileAccess.ReadWrite);
                        using (StreamReader streamReader = new StreamReader(packageStream))
                        {
                            try
                            {
                                string ns = "http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/officeDocument/2006/custom-properties";
                                XDocument xDocument = XDocument.Parse(streamReader.ReadToEnd());
                                var properties = xDocument.Descendants(XName.Get("property", ns)).Where(x => x.Attribute(XName.Get("name")).Value == "NewCustomProp").ToList();
                                if (properties.Count > 0)
                                {
                                    foreach (var currentProperty in properties)
                                    {
                                        var valueNode = currentProperty.Descendants().First();
                                        valueNode.Value = "This is new value of Custom Property";
                                    }

                                    StringBuilder innerXmlSB = new StringBuilder();
                                    xDocument.Nodes().ToList().ForEach(node => innerXmlSB.Append(node.ToString()));
                                    string innerXml = innerXmlSB.ToString();
                                    byte[] buffer = Encoding.UTF8.GetBytes(innerXml);
                                    packageStream.Write(buffer, 0, buffer.Length);
                                    
                                    //tried this as well
                                    //xDocument.Save(packageStream);
                                }
                            }
                            catch (Exception ex)
                            {
                                Debug.WriteLine(ex.ToString());
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
                package.Flush();
            }
            finally
            {
                package.Close();
            }

Thanks in anticipation!

---

Punit Ganshani | www.ganshani.com

Answer 1

Hi,

Thanks for posting in the MSDN Forum.

I have reproduced your issue with the code but no luck. My word file is also corrupt and can not be opened. This is a quich note to tell you that I will do further research on the issue. Much appreciated for your patience and understanding. Moreover, I recommand you a thread I think would be helpful. Maybe you can find some useful suggestions with your question.http://support.microsoft.com/kb/195425

Have a good day.

Best Regards,

---

Leo_Gao [MSFT]
MSDN Community Support | Feedback to us