Hello Simon,

Welcome to Microsoft Managed Newsgroup Support Service!

From your post, my understanding on this issue is: you wonder how to
generate Excel-like graphical reports in ASP.NET 2.0 Web sites. If I'm off
base, please feel free to let me know.

First, I hope to let you know that Microsoft strongly recommends that
developers do not automate Office product, e.g Excel, directly in server
applications like ASP.NET web sites. The KB article
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/257757/EN-US/ illustrates the reason.

The alternative is to use OWC (Office Web Components) which can generate
and display Excel-like spreadsheet, chart reports, or even pivot tables.
Because OWC runs based on Office, so Office (Excel in this case) is still
needed on the server machine.

Learning materials of OWC:

Introducing the Office Web Components:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa155782(office.10).aspx

Working with the Office Web Components:
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa189864(office.10).aspx

Microsoft Office Web Components resources:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555237

OWC Documents and samples can be found at:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb%3Ben-us%3B319793

ASP.NET Server-Side Charting with OWC11
http://www.codeproject.com/KB/aspnet/owc11article.aspx

ASP.NET Charting Using Office Web Components (OWC)
http://aspnet.4guysfromrolla.com/articles/080603-1.aspx

and more if you search "asp.net owc" online.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to let me
know.

Regards,
Jialiang Ge (jialge@online.microsoft.com, remove 'online.')
Microsoft Online Community Support

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