HTML and Excel

Fyron · #1 June 2nd, 2003, 09:16 AM

Maybe there is an export option that will help?

What happened to going to sleep?

Taera · #2 June 2nd, 2003, 09:22 AM

i didnt say i was going to sleep, i said good night

im studying for test fyron

"export" - i want the HTML to refer directly to the Excel so i only need to change one file - the .xls - for changes to take effects in numerous places. i want to use the .xls as a database for numbers untill i learn proper language such as php.

(interesting, i joined the same time fyron did... but he has 6 times my Posts)

[ June 02, 2003, 08:25: Message edited by: Taera ]

Fyron · #3 June 2nd, 2003, 09:31 AM

You can convert it to a database type file and then write a PERL, PHP, etc. script to get the values out of it. I don't think there is a way to do it with just HTML. If there is, I haven't heard of it.

Some way to study for a test, posting on shrapnel.

Jack Simth · #4 June 2nd, 2003, 10:05 AM

There is almost certainly a way to do it with VBscript, but that would require learning VBscript. Ideally, you do want to learn PHP or some such. Short term, you could theoretically build all the web pages that use the numbers as Excel spreadsheets, save the .xls Version, and use Excel's Save As function to have it generate HTML. You then have to re-post all of the HTML files every time, but you only need to change things in one place. Mind you, Microsoft products generate bad HTML and script, but it should work.

Taera · #5 June 2nd, 2003, 10:16 AM

yes fyron i know i need to learn php and i can do it via php. and yes im studying, just the page was open and the thought ran through my head... duh

jack - well yes, i guess thats the only way after all... i just thought i've seen somewhere a mentioning of using .xls spreadsheets as a simplified database accessible from other sources. bad luck, i guess.

Roanon · #6 June 2nd, 2003, 10:26 AM

I too recommend learning PHP and using something like MySQL. Its definitely faster than updating by hand, exporting/editing/importing somehow or writing a VBScript, or anything like that. And, besides, you just need to know PHP these days

.

http://www.php.net/docs.php is a good documentation site, has them in several Languages.

Jack Simth · #7 June 2nd, 2003, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Taera:
jack - well yes, i guess thats the only way after all

NOT THE ONLY WAY - just the simplest and fastest if you don't already know a good language to do it in (such as PHP). If you aren't up against a deadline, and have a good chunk of time to spare, buy a good book on PHP and write the page with that; my advice on Microsoft Excel is a stopgap measure for when you are in a hurry.

Quote:

Originally posted by Taera:
... i just thought i've seen somewhere a mentioning of using .xls spreadsheets as a simplified database accessible from other sources. bad luck, i guess.

Oh yes, it is possible - Microsoft tries to be everything to everyone - but Office products are designed primarily for one user at a time; using Excel or Access for an Online database, while supported, is a very bad idea; it can become unstable rather readily. Ultimately, you want PHP (or equivalent) connected to an actual database. In the long run, it will be faster and easier to maintain that way.