PHP Excel creation - invalid file type

Question

Hi,

I am creating an excel file using php like this:

header("Content-type: application/vnd.ms-excel");
header("Content-Disposition: attachment; filename=invoice.xls");
header("Cache-Control: must-revalidate, post-check=0, pre-check=0");
echo "<table><tr><th>Test</th></tr><tr><td>...</td></tr></table>";

When I try open the file, excel gives a warning that the file type is not correct. However, the file is displayed correctly and exactly like I want it to...

Is there a way to prevent this error message showing up?

Answer 1

The best way is to create an Excel file for yourself and save it as HTML, then open it in some text editor and take a look at the garbage. You'll eventually find out what to output in your PHP script so that Excel won't complain about file types and extensions.

Answer 2

The file output you are generating is not really in excel format, so excel is right to complain about it. There are several php packages for making excel files out there, like phpexcel.net. The other option would be to offer the file as a 'normal' .html file and instructing your users to open it in excel.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

I posted a similar question here that has some useful answers.

I've actually resolved this myself by creating a class that outputs XML Excel files with no warnings etc. I hope to package it properly when I get the chance, so I can share with others.

Answer 4

you could try tab delimited format i am not sure if it would complain about loading it or not eg echo "$col\t$col\t$col\t$col\n"

i have also used the pear excel generation libraries they generate BIFF format excel files, it is quite simple to use and you get control of the formatting of cells as well eg font, size, colour, etc