Thinking outside of the box...
Don't use the Excel automation. Convert the flat file into an XML string, and spit that out into a file named "MyFile.xls" and then have Excel open that. It'll be wicked fast. Excel will load the XML as if it was an Excel spreadsheet.
I think Christof had a posting a couple of years ago with a VFP class that would allow for some formatting (Bolds, colors, etc.) of the XML so it looks "nicer" when opened. I think you can even put formulas in the XML and have Excel honor it.
I've used this in VFP and Xojo over the years. It's a great way to do "Excel" without having Excel installed and without worrying about M$ borking up the automation version to version.
-Kevin
-----Original Message----- From: ProFox [mailto:profox-bounces@leafe.com] On Behalf Of mbsoftwaresolutions@mbsoftwaresolutions.com Sent: Thursday, August 18, 2016 12:29 PM To: profox@leafe.com Subject: Flat file to Excel....but it's got more than 255 columns!
VFP9SP2/Win7Pro/SDF fixed width file
I've got a flat file that needs to be translated to an Excel file. Traditional program put it into a cursor and then via automation did copy/paste into Excel. Problem is now that there are more than 255 columns (410 to be exact) so using a VFP cursor/table won't work. I was just doing direct string manipulations and insertting right to the Excel cells, but it's a SLOW process. It works, but I'm always looking for a better way.
Suggestions for approach?
tia!
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