[IANAD]

> Are they really "so complicated", or is it just a large amount of options, many of which might actually be ignorable for the task you're doing, that contribute to such an impression of complexity?

Apache's library called it HSSF, Horrible Spreadsheet Format. You make the call.

:)

[brianwawok]

I have literally used it for YEARS and never knew what HSSF meant.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apache_POI was a fun read

HPSF (Horrible Property Set Format) HSMF (Horrible Stupid Mail Format) DDF (Dreadful Drawing Format)

[userbinator]

Amusing, but I also have the feeling that it's difficult for Java developers to appreciate the benefits of a binary format because the language doesn't make it easy to work with them. XML, on the other hand...

[vram22]

Part of Apache POI, IIRC.

It stood for:

"Poor Obfuscation Implementation".