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Ask YC: Excel Generation (Server Side)?

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Ask YC: Excel Generation (Server Side)?

#1
I was curious to know if anyone could recommend a component for server side excel generation (both xls and xlsx) for an ASP.NET application. We cannot install Office on the server. We've been using this component from codeplex...

http://www.codeplex.com/ExcelPackage

...and we haven't been thrilled with it. We're open to a commercial solution - we're just not sure what the best option is.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Re: Ask YC: Excel Generation (Server Side)?

#6
post #2

I know of a lib for Python but it only produces xls. http://sourceforge.net/projects/pyexcelerator If you are using ASP.NET why can't you install Office on the server?

The latest (licensed) version of Office we have is 2003. As far as we know using Office 2003 for server side Excel generation is not recommended.

Thanks for the link to the Python framework though.

Re: Ask YC: Excel Generation (Server Side)?

#7
You haven't said what you're trying to put into that Excel spreadsheet. If it's just rows of text, numbers, and formulas, then it's dead simple.

- change your response mime-type to application/excel

- supply a filename ending with .xls

- output comma-separated text.

done.

(it only gets difficult if you need to start embedding charts and specifying fonts)

Re: Ask YC: Excel Generation (Server Side)?

#8

You haven't said what you're trying to put into that Excel spreadsheet. If it's just rows of text, numbers, and formulas, then it's dead simple. - change your response mime-type to application/excel - supply a filename ending with .xls - output comma-separated text. done. (it only gets difficult if you need to start embedding charts and specifying fonts)

(it only gets difficult if you need to start embedding charts and specifying fonts)

We do need to do some of this

Re: Ask YC: Excel Generation (Server Side)?

#9
I've used 2 methods:

1: SpreadsheetML: You can output XML which is understood by excel, here is an introduction: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb226687(office.11).aspx

2: Insert values into an existing template.xls which is accessed with sql using an Oledbconnection. The template can have existing charts which will get updated with the new values.

Re: Ask YC: Excel Generation (Server Side)?

#10
post #2

I know of a lib for Python but it only produces xls. http://sourceforge.net/projects/pyexcelerator If you are using ASP.NET why can't you install Office on the server?

The latest (licensed) version of Office we have is 2003. As far as we know using Office 2003 for server side Excel generation is not recommended. Thanks for the link to the Python framework though.

Yes - COM Automation stuff is generally not recommended for non-interactive usage. Although I think many people do get away with it.
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