Live Data Source Updates
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SoftArtisans’ HotCell Technology
and OfficeWriter Assistant provide a live connect back
to a server-side data source directly from an Excel spreadsheet
or Word document.
Just by modifying a report on a client machine, users
can use Excel or Word as rich front ends and send updates
back to a database. With the ability to retrieve or update
data on a Web server, all end users can now access the
same centralized location for up-to-date business information.
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HotCell Technology and the
OfficeWriter Assistant both use VBA code embedded in the spreadsheet
or document on the client to communicate with script running
on a remote Web server. In the case of OfficeWriter for Excel,
the VBA code detects when changes have been made to worksheet
cells. The value of each modified cell is then submitted to
the server to update the data source.
Upload Methods
 Upload
entire workbooks. This method, using HotCell,
uploads the entire edited workbook back to the server. On
the server, OfficeWriter for Excel opens the uploaded workbook,
reads the values of the changed cells, and updates the data
source.
Upload
individual cells. This method, using HotCell,
submits cell information in an HTTP POST request. On the
server, the receiving script parses the information and updates
the data source. This solution is far less network-intensive,
but requires more code on both the client and server.
Upload
revised data in Word documents. This method, using OfficeWriter
Assistant, sends updated data within a Word document to the
server in the form of a standard HTTP POST request.
Please note to take advantage of every HotCell feature
you must use the Enterprise Edition of OfficeWriter. | 
