I want to return a excel file from

[cjunkie]

I want to return a excel file from a cgi script. The cgi script generates some table data and can return it in HTML format. I also want the user to have the option to send it to excel. I have made this work by giving the cgi script a *.csv extension and setting the "Content-type:" to something other that "text/html" for example:

The CGI called data.csv outputs:

printf("Content-type: application/ms-excel\n\n"
followed by some data.

This is called by the following in an html page:

<p><a href=&quot;../cgi-bin/data.csv?param1=value1&quot;>Get the data from data.csv</a></p>

or

<form name=&quot;input&quot; action=&quot;../cgi-bin/data.csv&quot; method=&quot;Post&quot;>
<input type=&quot;submit&quot; name=&quot;test&quot; value=&quot;data.csv via form&quot;>
</form>

My problem(s):

1) It seems very crude to have to set the extension of the cgi script to .csv. I would like to know how to set the name and extension of the file from within the cgi (some more header info?).

2) IE 6 does not seem to be very interested in the Content-type I set in the respose header. If the cgi extension is *.csv, the IE asks if I want to save or open in Excel and it does not seem to matter what mime type I use. If the extension is *.cgi, then IE does not know what to do with the file regardless of the mime type I set. Shouldn't IE be using the mime type to decide what application to send the file to?

3) If I call my cgi data.csv, then IE offers to save the file as data.csv or open it in Excel. But, if I use a href to call the script and use a very long param=value list, then IE gives the file a random name with a .csv extension. What is going on here? Is the a restriction on the length of param=value list that I can use?

 

[Wullie]

Hi mate,

I'm a little confused by your question, I don't see why you have to name the file CSV.

As for #3, the maximum URL length in IE (not sure about other browsers) is 2,048 characters.

Hope this helps

Wullie

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[cjunkie]

Wullie,

CSV is for Comma Separated Value, but in fact, the *.xls extension worked better. I’ve moved this issue to the “CGI” thread. Look there if you are interested in the resolution.

Thanks so much for your help.