Excel File Handling

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jaydeep
  • Start date Start date
J

Jaydeep

Hi All,
My requirement is, user should be able to edit excel file already
uploaded and save the same to the server without downloading the file.
Normally what we do is, first download any file make the changes and upload
the latest version. But user wants this to be happen online i.e without
downloading and again uploading the file.
Is this is possible using asp.net and C# ? If yes then how ?
 
What do they want to be able to do ? With what UI ?

If they expect to be able to change everything with Excel, there is
obviously no other solution than downloading the file or taking control on a
remote desktop with a tool such as Terminal Services (just to avoid
dowloading files ?)...

If limited, predefined changes, you could use the OleDb provider to add some
data to an Excel worksheet, you could edit the XML file or use automation to
perform some operations (and you'll have to create a UI that allows to
express these changes ??!) but even then I would discuss first with them why
they want to avoid downloading files as this requirement looks quite
unrealistic and at best a lot of work or resources for something that
doesn't look like a real problem....

Patrice
 
Thanks Patrice,

Actallty Excel file containts sensitive data and anybody can forget to
delete file from desktop once changes are uploaded to server as new version
for that excel file.
Client want excel to open in browser as our reguler web page (like active-x
control/ applet in browser). As well there will be button called Upload
changes.

On clicking Upload Changes button we have save this excel file to sever as
new version with predefined algo for version number.

Jaydeep
Solversa Technologies
 
With proper security in place, a file I leave on my desktop shouldn't be
visible from others. Don't they have already a high security policy in place
(password length, expiration and so on ?)

Perhaps just an Excel macro that will close the current file, will upload
the file and will delete the local file ?
For an Intranet I believe that Excel is even able to open a file from an URL
and to save it to the same URL (but its likely you'll be able to find the
temporary file somewhere). You could also password protect the Excel files
or download them to a network protected location such as a home directory
for the user or even impersonate a user to restrict the available
locations...

That said the user will still be able to save the file at some other
location (such as a floppy disk) and so on... It looks like more a general
policy issue rather than a technical solution...

Good luck.

Patrice
 
Thankx Patric,

Yes, I have already debeted on this issues with client.
But his final demond is about editing excel in browser.

It should look like you have open excel as an active-x control in browser
with Update button at bottom.

I am helpless/speechless here.

Thankx again for reply....

With warm regards
Jaydeep
Solversa Technologies
 
Perhaps something like :

<object classid="location of an excel file"></object>

This way you'll have an Excel file embeded on the page and the Excel menus.
You can add a button above the object tag. It's likely you could then access
Excel through the object tag. For saving, I don't really see something
convenient. A Java or .NET applet that would post the file ?

Patrice
 
Yes, I will try this today and let you the result.

Thankx
With warm regards
Jaydeep
Solversa Technologies
 
Hi,

I am able to open Excel Object in Browser using below code.

<OBJECT classid="clsid:0002E510-0000-0000-C000-000000000046" VIEWASTEXT >

But Anyhow I am not able to open .xls file inside this ActiveX control which
is on server.

Do u have any idea about how can I open already created .xls file in this
activx control for editing to user.
And Also how can I get the value of this activex control i.e. updated .xls
file on server when user changes some data in same and click on Submit.

With warm regards
Jaydeep
 
Ok, the first idea would be to open the Excel file from an HTTP location. If
the user has also write access, Excel should (at least recent versions)
should be able to save back the file to this URL.

With the OBJECT tag solution, instead of the clsid use the location of the
file (ither local or HTTP) : <object classid="c:\MyExcelFile.xls"></object>

You'll be able then to save the file using a button and delete the local
file.

For the first option try for example :

http://www.microsoftfrontpage.com/content/ARTICLES/SavetoWeb.htm
(of course the user will still be able to save at some local location)

Good luck

Patrice
 
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