"Does anyone know how this can be done? "

Just to be clear you want to do this using Perl — correct? I ask because your question isn't clearly written in the context of a Perl problem. However, you've posted to a Perl forum so let's assume the answer is yes. :)

It sounds like you have given the Excel portion of your problem some thought but it would help if you were a little clearer on how you would like to come up with a solution in Perl. I don't have a great deal of experience in Excel (don't touch it) but if I knew a little Perl and had an Excel problem I might take a look at CPAN for Excel Related Modules. See if someone has already asked and answered your question with a well executed solution.

However, in the interest of helping you think through your question, I would say try to break down the description of what you want to do into smaller steps. ie: you say: "A good step would be to write the options in the right hand table to a file." There's actually more than one step involved there. Try breaking it out into a more detailed description. Then maybe look at perlfunc to see if any built in functions can help you begin writing up a rough solution to those more specific tasks — even if it's really bad. Add all that to your post and you will hopefully get more help.

It sounds like you have an interesting problem. With a little more information hopefully someone can help you find a solution. Good luck.

*Also see: How do I post a question effectively?