Using Javascript to read files

Question

Im building an html form which shows price for traveling from destination1 to destination2

The trouble is, 'price' is stored in an excel file (which can be changed to almost any format) so is there any way to use javascript to find price from destination1 to destination2?

Im afraid i cant post any code upfront (probably because i have no clue where to start)

I'm afraid you will have to convert your Excel to a more usable format first, something like XML — Julien Ch.
– Julien Ch., Commented Jul 13, 2012 at 13:33
Possible? Yes. But complex and inefficient. Convert your data to a more sensible format first (JSON is a good choice). (I'd also just embed the data on the page, unless there was a lot of it, in which case a server side look up would be better). — Quentin
– Quentin, Commented Jul 13, 2012 at 13:33
You don't say whether this form is to be used on one PC, an intranet, or the Internet. This may have implications on the solution. — Lee Taylor
– Lee Taylor, Commented Jul 13, 2012 at 13:34

Split Your Infinity · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-13 13:37:22Z

2

Using the new HTML5 File API you can read local files or download the file using an XMLHttpRequest.

I would suggest using the CSV format for reading since it is much easier to parse than Excel files.

edited Jul 13, 2012 at 13:37

Split Your Infinity

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answered Jul 13, 2012 at 13:33

Otto Allmendinger

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2 Comments

Quentin Over a year ago

The question implies that the Excel file is provided by the site, not the user, so the File API wouldn't be any help.

Otto Allmendinger Over a year ago

I didn't read it that way. Just going by the question title, the answer is the File API.

Nickon · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-13 13:33:20Z

1

I don't know if it's what u need, but u cant use ActiveXObject to read Excel files.

http://www.codeproject.com/Questions/85672/Read-Excel-values-using-Javascript

answered Jul 13, 2012 at 13:33

Nickon

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2 Comments

Quentin Over a year ago

Internet Explorer only solutions are not generally good solutions.

Nickon Over a year ago

Ye, I agree, but there are some ActiveXObject-like solutions for other web browsers:) it was just an idea how to do this:)

Andrew McGivery · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-13 13:33:33Z

0

If you are ok with only modern browser support (html5), you can use the filesystem api...

http://www.html5rocks.com/en/tutorials/file/dndfiles/

However, older browsers(as far as I know) do not support reading files.

answered Jul 13, 2012 at 13:33

Andrew McGivery

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1 Comment

Quentin Over a year ago

The question implies that the Excel file is provided by the site, not the user, so the File API wouldn't be any help.

Vitalii Ivanov · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-13 13:34:12Z

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Use Html5 File API and maybe it would be great to have at least CSV

http://www.w3.org/TR/FileAPI/

answered Jul 13, 2012 at 13:34

Vitalii Ivanov

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2 Comments

Quentin Over a year ago

The question implies that the Excel file is provided by the site, not the user, so the File API wouldn't be any help.

Vitalii Ivanov Over a year ago

I don't see the problem to create http handler or something to get the file and open it through the FileAPI

Varinder · Accepted Answer · 2012-07-16 10:31:19Z

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As quentin suggested, using a JSON solved my problem

converting csv to JSON was a huge help aswel

answered Jul 16, 2012 at 10:31

Varinder

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