filePro out to an existing Excel file

[Donald Becker]

Harwyn Berens wrote:

> Hello all:
>     I'm wondering if it's possible to get a filepro output form's 
> output into an already existing Excel file.  I have an estimating 
> program that we use and to date it has proved to be a nice format for 
> the final product for most of our customers.
>     One of our largest customers is now strongly pushing for the 
> output format to be in Excel exactly as their form is designed in 
> Excel.  They now  send us a Request for Quote in an .xls format as an 
> e-mail attachment.  It has all the pertinent information on the .xls 
> file with the exception of the estimated costs which we're expected to 
> estimate, fill in the appropriate blanks and transmit back to them.  
> We now estimate using filePro and from the fP output form, we manually 
> enter the estimated cost numbers onto the appropriate Excel Request 
> for Quote .xls file and e-mail it back to the customer.
>     I'm using Windows 98 with fP 4.05.08.  Is there an (here goes 
> nothing) easy way to do this?  I realize this last question differs 
> significantly from my opening one.  I currently produce the fP quote 
> output from within the estimating input table via the FORM command.  
> Thanks.
>
Hi Harwyn,

"I'm using Windows 98 with fP 4.05.08.  Is there an (here goes nothing) 
easy way to do this?

Easy?

I have been required to export data in Excel format for data exchange 
with our DC headquarters.

Perl works with both Windows and Unix.
You will need to install Perl and module spreadsheet::writeexcel (not 
sure as to the spelling).
You may need to load additional supporting modules.

Writing Excel is a two part process.
1. Write a text file with pl extension.
2. Run Perl to convert the text file to Excel format.

As yet, i have not imported any Excel files.

Hope this helps,
Don