Excel like server side control for ASP.NET

Question

We have a requirement to increase the functionality of a grid we are using to edit on our webapp, and our manager keeps citing Excel as the perfect example for a data grid :/ He still doesn't really get that a Spreadsheet like control doesn't exist out of the box, but I thought I'd do a bit of searching nonetheless.

I've found a couple of products on Google, but was wondering if anyone else has any feedback around any such controls (obviously the cheaper or ahem freer the better)

EDIT We do currently have the Telerik controls, but what the 'current' requirement is, is a control that can copy and paste (e.g) 3 cells from one row and paste them on another, the row by row editing of Telerik doesn't really cut it. We are currently in competition with an 'Excel' based solution, which is always a nightmare in winning users around, who always prefer flexibility to structure

Blockish

Answer 1

Update: with Silverlight fast approaching, maybe you can use a real excel control.

Devexpress has a powerful grid control for both web and windows. It is not free and I guess nothing really matches Excel. But once the users started using it, they wanted every app with it. Check these videos especially the data grouping one.

Longanimity

Answer 2

You may consider 3rd party tools of native Excel functionality. There are most buzzed on the forums:

• Aspose Excel Cells

• ComponentOne XLS for .NET

• Or Excel Jetcell .NET.

Scratch

Answer 3

This may not be directly related to your question, but on the server side have you considered what operations you will need to perform that will mimic Excel? You may want to check out SpreadsheetGear which will give you complete macro functionality.

They have new charting features that I haven't used yet, but they are supposed to work with Asp.net.

Muzzleloader