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Editorial Team
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Asked: 2026-05-12T16:44:50+00:00

I am using spreadsheet gem to generate native Excel file. This is not CSV,

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I am using spreadsheet gem to generate native Excel file. This is not CSV, XML file. Ordinary Ruby code is used to create the file. The generated Excel file (kept in StringIO) is forwarded to a client using send_data method. I need send_data method because of its parameters like disposition.

The data for the Excel is retrieved in controller method just like for ordinary HTML, JS requests. However I placed the code to generate the spreadsheet in controller protected method. Not in a view as I should.

Is there an elegant solution to above problem compliant with MVC design pattern?

Update: There is no popular and accepted by all solution to above problem but at least I know all possible ideas.

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1 Answer

  1. Editorial Team
    1. Create an excel library in your lib folder in which you include your xls generation routine as well as a method that overrides ActionController’s render method.
    2. In a model that should be rendered as xls implement a method called to_excel method which generates a hash that you can provide to your xls routine.

    3. Doing it this way, you’ll get something really “Railsy”. In your controller you’ll just call

      render :xls => @model

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