Report Writer for Excel spreadsheet or CSV (Comma-Separated Values) Format

[Kales Veggie]

I am looking for any easy way to write reports (including graphics) from an excel spreadsheet or comma separated file. The size of the spreadsheet is approximately 4000 rows and 50 columns.

I have made some initial reports using the embedded functions of Excel, but now I need something more flexible.

Any "report writer" type program you can recommend? (I am looking for a lost cost solution, of course)

 

[Stijloor]

I am looking for any easy way to write reports (including graphics) from an excel spreadsheet or comma separated file. The size of the spreadsheet is approximately 4000 rows and 50 columns.

I have made some initial reports using the embedded functions of Excel, but now I need something more flexible.

Any "report writer" type program you can recommend? (I am looking for a lost cost solution, of course)

Kees,

Have you explored "open source" software?

Have a look here.

Stijloor.

 

[Kales Veggie]

Jan,

I have, but there are too many trees in the forest. Maybe other covers are using a report writer that they can recommend for my needs.

 

[alex_bell]

If you know how to use the visual basic scripting within MS Office applications you could use a bit of scripting and word.

Another option is the reports tool in Microsoft Access, you can link your spreadsheet so Access treats it as a table.

There is always Crystal Reports which is my own weapon of choice for reporting, but it does cost.

 

[Kales Veggie]

Thank you.

I am familiar with Crystal Reports (at $495). Anyone know of a more cost-effective solution?

 

[Stijloor]

Thank you.

I am familiar with Crystal Reports (at $495). Anyone know of a more cost-effective solution?

Kees,

I don't give up! How about this?

Jan.

 

[Kales Veggie]

Jan,

I will look into that some more. (I looked at Datavision, 2) in the list). I am also investigating and learning more about the Pivot table function of Excel.

Bedankt / thank you.

 

[Stijloor]

Jan,

I will look into that some more. (I looked at Datavision, 2) in the list). I am also investigating and learning more about the Pivot table function of Excel.

Bedankt / thank you.

Kees,

A nice thing about open source software is that there are user sites and forums where you can ask questions. I don't know if this is true for this particular software, but it's worth a try. I would poke around Google a little bit and see what you can find. You're right; paying $495 for something that's available for free....

Good luck! Het allerbeste!

Jan.

 

[alex_bell]

If your heading towards an Open Source Software (OSS) solution then make sure that it supports your datasource, most should support CSV as a data source but I'm thinking few will support xls format as a datasource.

If you have Microsoft Access I would suggest looking at the query designer and reporting options in that, before trying to use a report tools which are more aimed at being used with databases.