writing macro's or vbscript for excel files.

jbrugger has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

Hi noble ones

I'm using Spreadsheet::WriteExcel to generate xml files for downloading reports in xls format (from a linux server).

Now, i want to (automatically) create some graphs in excel from the data inside, so i want to create some dynamic vb-script that is inserted in the xls file, however as stated on cpan:

Also, here are some of the most requested features that probably won't
+ get added:
    * Macros.
      This would solve some other problems neatly. However,
      the format of Excel macros isn't documented.
[download]

I also looked in the supersearch and looked at Excel::Template, but no luck there.
So i'm stucked. Any ideas here?
(or other ways to create the graphs i want?)
Thanks (again)

Update Would the one who downvotes me here for a legetimite normal question please be so kind to explain me why he's doing it? i might be able to improve then. (oh never mind, i' should not care about it, i just want an answer to my real question....

"We all agree on the necessity of compromise. We just can't agree on when it's necessary to compromise." - Larry Wall.

Comment on writing macro's or vbscript for excel files. Download Code

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Re: writing macro's or vbscript for excel files. by jmcnamara (Monsignor) on Apr 21, 2005 at 08:51 UTC
Recent versions of Spreadsheet::WriteExcel have experimental support for charts via external templates. Here are some example programs from the distro and screenshots of the corresponding output: Program: demo1.pl and output: demo1.jpg. Program: demo2.pl and output: demo2.jpg. Program: demo3.pl and output: demo3.jpg. -- John. See also: Spreadsheet::WriteExcel Google Group	[reply]
Re: writing macro's or vbscript for excel files. by davies (Monsignor) on Apr 21, 2005 at 09:56 UTC
I appreciate that you've already got a reply to this. But just in case it helps, there is a Microsoft document that I found useful. It is here. The example given in it works for me, producing graphs and pivot tables. Regards, John Davies	[reply]
Re: writing macro's or vbscript for excel files. by Taulmarill (Deacon) on Apr 21, 2005 at 08:26 UTC
an idea would be to code some vba-plugin for the user that remains in his excel-app so he can use it on your files anny time he wants to.	[reply]
Re^2: writing macro's or vbscript for excel files. by jbrugger (Parson) on Apr 21, 2005 at 08:42 UTC
No, i don't have access to the client pc's (can be any machine in the world). I want to present a total finished excel sheet with graphs to the user, the linux server itself runs somewhere on the internet. (so connecting to a windows machine for ms-automation won't work as well). "We all agree on the necessity of compromise. We just can't agree on when it's necessary to compromise." - Larry Wall.	[reply]
Re^3: writing macro's or vbscript for excel files. by Taulmarill (Deacon) on Apr 21, 2005 at 08:50 UTC
my idea was not to force the vba-plugin onto the users machine but to provide it to the user. annyway... seems to me, that Spreadsheet::Excel can not produce it's own charts but can import charts and assign them to data from the actual chart, read the charts.pod. maybe that helps you.	[reply]
Re: writing macro's or vbscript for excel files. by jbrugger (Parson) on Apr 21, 2005 at 09:05 UTC
Ok thanks to you both, this is what i'm searching for! "We all agree on the necessity of compromise. We just can't agree on when it's necessary to compromise." - Larry Wall.	[reply]