How Excel file is generated?

[Abhishek]

Hi,

I am exporting data from ASP page to an excel sheet using the following
code.

Response.AddHeader "Content-Disposition", "attachment;filename=ExcelView.xls"
Response.ContentType="application/vnd.ms-excel"

I have two questions.

1. How the excel file gets created on the server before it is sent to the
client.
2. Is there any prerequisite for exporting the data to excel? I mean do we
need to install any software like MS office on to the server?

Thanks.

 

[Dave Anderson]

I am exporting data from ASP page to an excel sheet using the
following code.

Response.AddHeader "Content-Disposition",
"attachment;filename=ExcelView.xls"
Response.ContentType="application/vnd.ms-excel"

1. How the excel file gets created on the server before it is
sent to the client.

It probably doesn't. When the browser sends those headers, the client
handles the file based on its installed software. But the file is almost
certainly a simple HTML table. When Excel open the file, it converts it into
a spreadsheet.

2. Is there any prerequisite for exporting the data to excel?
I mean do we need to install any software like MS office on
to the server?

Not if you are just sending a table. There are ways to do it with Office
(not recommended) or Office Web Components (recommended) installed, but
neither is required if a simple table will do.