How do I create an EXCEL file in C++ (not a .txt file)

[kenny Szeto]

Hi, I would like to create an EXCEL file in my c++ code. My current code
is:

HANDLE hFile=CreateFile("c:\\test.xls",GENERIC_WRITE,FILE_SHARE_WRITE,
NULL, CREATE_ALWAYS, FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL, NULL);

However, this creates a text delimited file. I know it creates this because
when I save, a message box pops up saying do I want to convert it to Excel
97 file. How can I create an excel file so that I won't get a pop up dialog
box?

Thanks!
Kenny

[ralph]

"kenny Szeto" <kenny.szeto@unitron.com> wrote:
>
>Hi, I would like to create an EXCEL file in my c++ code. My current code
>is:
>
>HANDLE hFile=CreateFile("c:\\test.xls",GENERIC_WRITE,FILE_SHARE_WRITE,
> NULL, CREATE_ALWAYS, FILE_ATTRIBUTE_NORMAL,
NULL);
>
>However, this creates a text delimited file. I know it creates this because
>when I save, a message box pops up saying do I want to convert it to Excel
>97 file. How can I create an excel file so that I won't get a pop up dialog
>box?
>
>Thanks!
>Kenny
>

There are 3 major ways to create an "Excel" file.

1) The simplest method is to do what you just tried to do, only instead of
a .xls extension, create a "comma-delimited" file and give it a ".csv" extension.
You can include a "header" line. The disadvantage is of course that "formatting"
is very limited and it is a "text" file, but .csv files are easily handled
by Excel without complaint.

Formatting can often by handled by using an Excel "template" when opening
your file.

2) Use Excel/Office automation to create the file. The best solution for
complex spreadsheets, formatting, and integration with other office applications.
The result will be a .xls file/worksheet if you like.

or

3) Get a copy of the BIFF2/4/x file format and create an .xls file from scratch.
Be warned that this option is NOT a trivial exercise, and often doesn't provide
a result much better than the first option.