I've successfully implemented two different approaches. The first approach just puts the data for Excel _on the clipboard_. It also uses Microsoft's uber-funky XML schemas to control the formatting of the resulting spread-sheet. This approach works nicely for both FF and IE, in my experience (and, in theory, it should work in any browser that supports the Flash VM, including clipboard access).
The second approach uses the ExternalInterface API to call a JS function which uses ActiveX to invoke the Excel COM object. If the JS function is able to load the Excel object, it then calls the object's COM interface directly (via JS functions) in order to create a Workbook and then to load data into its cells. Unfortunately, this approach only works with IE, but it is slick if you can use it. But, having the first approach as a fall-back is a good idea even then, in my opinion. Let me know if you have any specific questions about implementing either of these. Regards, Jim
