What do I need to create an Excel format file?

[OM2]

Can someone tell me: what do I need to create an Excel format file?

I want to use Macromedia Flash to create the file.
Through another 3rd party tool: I can use Flash to create text files and possibly more advanced file formats.

Are there some basic constructs that if I make the file be... then I can simply make an Excel file?

Apologies if this is the wrong group to post in - I couldn't find anything more relevant on this forum.

Thanks.


OM

[shg]

Why would you want to use something other than Excel?

[OM2]

well... the process is to read in a csv file, process this and save an excel file.

the excel file is read in by a stamp printing program.

at the moment, i have an excel spreadsheet with a few macros doing exactly what i need.

i wanted to use flash because that's what i know how to program in best.
and also: it's easy for me to add subtle animations to the application.

is there maybe a 'basic' excel file format...?
maybe include a file header: and that would be a bare excel file?

let me know.

thanks.

[shg]

Why not import the csv file into Excel using Excel?

[OM2]

Why not import the csv file into Excel using Excel?

thats what i'm doin g at the moment.
but: what would be really good for to know is the format an excel file needs to be... so that i cancreate this from flash.

[OM2]

also i would add: i am developing an application.
if its an excel application: then the end user *has* to have excel.
for my simple purpose: the user doesn't have to have excel and still be bable to create an excel file.

[royUK]

also i would add: i am developing an application.
if its an excel application: then the end user *has* to have excel.
for my simple purpose: the user doesn't have to have excel and still be bable to create an excel file.

I fairly certain that to use Excel in any way, the end user would need Excel installes.