Cannot find central directory error

check weather you are using .xlsx or .xls file.

If you are using .xlsx then use

     IExcelDataReader excelReader = ExcelReaderFactory.CreateOpenXmlReader(stream);

if you are using .xls then use

    IExcelDataReader excelReader = ExcelReaderFactory.CreateBinaryReader(stream);

Hope it helps. It worked for me.

An exception stating:

Cannot find central directory

indicates that one of the following is likely true:

1. The file is corrupt
2. The file is not actually an .xlsx file (are you sure it isn't an .xls file?)
3. The library you're using to read the file has a bug

From your code it looks like you're using ExcelDataReader and attempting to open an XML format (xlsx) file. Are you sure that the file isn't actually a .xls file that someone has mis-named as .xlsx? You could check this by using:

IExcelDataReader excelReader = ExcelReaderFactory.CreateBinaryReader(stream);

instead of:

IExcelDataReader excelReader = ExcelReaderFactory.CreateOpenXmlReader(stream);