Export Data to csv/xls in Rails by using to_xls-rails gem

How ever in practice we require to export data in several forms like 'csv' and 'xls'.Its very easy to export data in csv or xls format in rails application.

Here an example of exporting data:

1. write gem 'to_xls-rails' and run `bundle install`.
2. write following code in controller:

 respond_to do |format|
    format.html # don't forget if you pass html
    format.xls {
    filename = "Posts-#{Time.now.strftime("%Y%m%d%H%M%S")}.xls"
    send_data(@posts.to_xls, :type => "text/xls; charset=utf-8; header=present", :filename => filename)
     }
  end

3. In your view write following code:

<%= link_to 'Excel Download', posts_path(:format => :xls) %>

4. Specify mime type inside the mime_type.rb:

Mime::Type.register "application/xls", :xls

enjoy!!