diff --git a/Classes/PHPExcel/Reader/Abstract.php b/Classes/PHPExcel/Reader/Abstract.php
index 5902574..189c70a 100644
--- a/Classes/PHPExcel/Reader/Abstract.php
+++ b/Classes/PHPExcel/Reader/Abstract.php
@@ -36,6 +36,15 @@ abstract class PHPExcel_Reader_Abstract implements PHPExcel_Reader_IReader
      */
     protected $readDataOnly = false;
 
+    /**
+     * Read empty cells?
+     * Identifies whether the Reader should read data values for cells all cells, or should ignore cells containing
+     *         null value or empty string
+     *
+     * @var    boolean
+     */
+    protected $readEmptyCells = true;
+
     /**
      * Read charts that are defined in the workbook?
      * Identifies whether the Reader should read the definitions for any charts that exist in the workbook;
@@ -89,6 +98,33 @@ abstract class PHPExcel_Reader_Abstract implements PHPExcel_Reader_IReader
         return $this;
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Read empty cells?
+     *        If this is true (the default), then the Reader will read data values for all cells, irrespective of value.
+     *        If false it will not read data for cells containing a null value or an empty string.
+     *
+     * @return    boolean
+     */
+    public function getReadEmptyCells()
+    {
+        return $this->readEmptyCells;
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Set read empty cells
+     *        Set to true (the default) to advise the Reader read data values for all cells, irrespective of value.
+     *        Set to false to advise the Reader to ignore cells containing a null value or an empty string.
+     *
+     * @param    boolean    $pValue
+     *
+     * @return    PHPExcel_Reader_IReader
+     */
+    public function setReadEmptyCells($pValue = true)
+    {
+        $this->readEmptyCells = $pValue;
+        return $this;
+    }
+
     /**
      * Read charts in workbook?
      *        If this is true, then the Reader will include any charts that exist in the workbook.
diff --git a/Classes/PHPExcel/Reader/Excel5.php b/Classes/PHPExcel/Reader/Excel5.php
index 770d435..8dd15af 100644
--- a/Classes/PHPExcel/Reader/Excel5.php
+++ b/Classes/PHPExcel/Reader/Excel5.php
@@ -3687,6 +3687,7 @@ class PHPExcel_Reader_Excel5 extends PHPExcel_Reader_Abstract implements PHPExce
         $column = self::getInt2d($recordData, 2);
         $columnString = PHPExcel_Cell::stringFromColumnIndex($column);
 
+        $emptyCell = true;
         // Read cell?
         if (($this->getReadFilter() !== null) && $this->getReadFilter()->readCell($columnString, $row + 1, $this->phpSheet->getTitle())) {
             // offset: 4; size: 2; index to XF record
@@ -3727,14 +3728,20 @@ class PHPExcel_Reader_Excel5 extends PHPExcel_Reader_Abstract implements PHPExce
                         }
                     }
                 }
-                $cell = $this->phpSheet->getCell($columnString . ($row + 1));
-                $cell->setValueExplicit($richText, PHPExcel_Cell_DataType::TYPE_STRING);
+                if ($this->readEmptyCells || trim($richText->getPlainText()) !== '') {
+                    $cell = $this->phpSheet->getCell($columnString . ($row + 1));
+                    $cell->setValueExplicit($richText, PHPExcel_Cell_DataType::TYPE_STRING);
+                    $emptyCell = false;
+                }
             } else {
-                $cell = $this->phpSheet->getCell($columnString . ($row + 1));
-                $cell->setValueExplicit($this->sst[$index]['value'], PHPExcel_Cell_DataType::TYPE_STRING);
+                if ($this->readEmptyCells || trim($this->sst[$index]['value']) !== '') {
+                    $cell = $this->phpSheet->getCell($columnString . ($row + 1));
+                    $cell->setValueExplicit($this->sst[$index]['value'], PHPExcel_Cell_DataType::TYPE_STRING);
+                    $emptyCell = false;
+                }
             }
 
-            if (!$this->readDataOnly) {
+            if (!$this->readDataOnly && !$emptyCell) {
                 // add style information
                 $cell->setXfIndex($this->mapCellXfIndex[$xfIndex]);
             }
@@ -4108,7 +4115,7 @@ class PHPExcel_Reader_Excel5 extends PHPExcel_Reader_Abstract implements PHPExce
 
         // offset: 4; size: 2 x nc; list of indexes to XF records
         // add style information
-        if (!$this->readDataOnly) {
+        if (!$this->readDataOnly && $this->readEmptyCells) {
             for ($i = 0; $i < $length / 2 - 3; ++$i) {
                 $columnString = PHPExcel_Cell::stringFromColumnIndex($fc + $i);
 
@@ -4163,12 +4170,14 @@ class PHPExcel_Reader_Excel5 extends PHPExcel_Reader_Abstract implements PHPExce
                 $string = $this->readByteStringLong(substr($recordData, 6));
                 $value = $string['value'];
             }
-            $cell = $this->phpSheet->getCell($columnString . ($row + 1));
-            $cell->setValueExplicit($value, PHPExcel_Cell_DataType::TYPE_STRING);
+            if ($this->readEmptyCells || trim($value) !== '') {
+                $cell = $this->phpSheet->getCell($columnString . ($row + 1));
+                $cell->setValueExplicit($value, PHPExcel_Cell_DataType::TYPE_STRING);
 
-            if (!$this->readDataOnly) {
-                // add cell style
-                $cell->setXfIndex($this->mapCellXfIndex[$xfIndex]);
+                if (!$this->readDataOnly) {
+                    // add cell style
+                    $cell->setXfIndex($this->mapCellXfIndex[$xfIndex]);
+                }
             }
         }
     }
@@ -4198,11 +4207,10 @@ class PHPExcel_Reader_Excel5 extends PHPExcel_Reader_Abstract implements PHPExce
             $xfIndex = self::getInt2d($recordData, 4);
 
             // add style information
-            if (!$this->readDataOnly) {
+            if (!$this->readDataOnly && $this->readEmptyCells) {
                 $this->phpSheet->getCell($columnString . ($row + 1))->setXfIndex($this->mapCellXfIndex[$xfIndex]);
             }
         }
-
     }