Is using Excel through Automation with Java possible ?

Question

Hi, I'm currently a Visual Basic developper thinking of moving to a java based RAD technology.
For a couple projects, I need to generate Excel Spreadsheets and present them to the user. I usually do this in VB by using the COM object provided by Excel, instancing it and using the Range([cellname]).value property to write data in the sheet.
Is their any way to do a similar thing in Java, or does this level of comfort come solely by using a Microsoft developpement product (thus more integrated with office) ?
Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

1. Writing java functions in MS Visual J++ 6.0, instead of in MS VB, and then compiling as a COM function has been the only way I've been able to mix the convenience of spreadsheet IO (alas, still in Excel) with the powerful functions we can write in Java.
2. It's ironic java programmers must still build IO interfaces in their IDEs every time they want to write & use a new java function, while MS has made user-written VB functions available to all Excel users (even to MS Word users). Last time I looked, the Star Office speadsheet only allows writing functions in ersatz VB (Sun Basic) instead of in Java.
3. To Sun: Please make java available to the masses by giving us a spreadsheet that runs user-written java functions. The spreadsheet is the most powerful programming paradigm around. Remember when Lotus made a zillion $? You can make more money from Gates's vision than by imitating his products.
- Bill Ellis [email protected]