Creating excel file on server

I understand that vbscript is a client side scripting language, but is
there a way to create the file on the server side instead? I'm using
php on my website, and am generating excel files for users to download.

The problem with creating excel files with vbscript is that all users
needs to be using internet explorer and must adjust their security
settings before they can take advantage of this feature. I would
rather have the excel file be created on the server and just upload it
to clients rather than having them go through so much. (Even though it
is a one time setup)

Any other solutions is appreciated. I prefer vbscript because I have
full control over the access file such as formats, merged fields,
formulas, font color, size, print size, etc. I know i can create an
excel file using php with headers, but I don't have as much control
over the appearance of the excel file as I do when using vbscript.

Csaba
Sat Jun 10 16:46:58 CDT 2006

perplexedsheep@gmail.com wrote:
> I understand that vbscript is a client side scripting language, but is
> there a way to create the file on the server side instead? I'm using
> php on my website, and am generating excel files for users to download.
>
> The problem with creating excel files with vbscript is that all users
> needs to be using internet explorer and must adjust their security
> settings before they can take advantage of this feature. I would
> rather have the excel file be created on the server and just upload it
> to clients rather than having them go through so much. (Even though it
> is a one time setup)
>
> Any other solutions is appreciated. I prefer vbscript because I have
> full control over the access file such as formats, merged fields,
> formulas, font color, size, print size, etc. I know i can create an
> excel file using php with headers, but I don't have as much control
> over the appearance of the excel file as I do when using vbscript.

VBScript can be used both on the server side and on remote machines.
PHP is strictly server side. The process of creating the Excel files
server side is distinct from that of *downloading* them (users download
files FROM a server, and they upload TO the server). To address your
question of creating the excel files, yes, you can create them in PHP
and have the same control over them as with VBScript. Specifically,
(and I hope you have PHP5), start off at http://php.net/com
You'll be starting off with $xl = new COM("Excel.Application");
and then instead of '.' you'll be using '->' to get at the properties
and methods.

Csaba Gabor from Vienna