# Running Oracle Reports to Export Data to Excel (DELIMITED Format) Using RWRUN60
The command you've provided (`rwrun60 report=myreport.rdf destype=file desname="C:\
data.xls" desformat=DELIMITED`) is a command line instruction to execute an Oracle
Report and export the output as a delimited file (typically CSV) with an .xls
extension. Here's a comprehensive explanation and implementation guide:
## Understanding the Command Components
```
rwrun60 // Oracle Reports runtime executable
report=myreport.rdf // The report definition file to run
destype=file // Output destination type (file)
desname="C:\data.xls" // Output file path and name
desformat=DELIMITED // Output format (comma-delimited)
```
## How to Implement This in Oracle Forms 6i
### Method 1: Using HOST Command (Direct Execution)
```plsql
PROCEDURE run_report_to_excel IS
v_cmd VARCHAR2(2000);
v_ret NUMBER;
BEGIN
-- Build the complete command with connection details
v_cmd := 'rwrun60 userid=' || GET_APPLICATION_PROPERTY(USERNAME) || '/' ||
GET_APPLICATION_PROPERTY(PASSWORD) || '@' ||
GET_APPLICATION_PROPERTY(CONNECT_STRING) ||
' batch=yes module=myreport.rdf ' ||
'destype=file desname="C:\data.xls" desformat=DELIMITED';
-- Add any required parameters
v_cmd := v_cmd || ' PARAMFORM=NO P_EMPNO=' || :block.empno;
-- Execute the command
v_ret := HOST(v_cmd, NO_SCREEN);
-- Check return status
IF v_ret = 0 THEN
MESSAGE('Report executed successfully. File created: C:\data.xls');
-- Optional: Open the file automatically
CLIENT_HOST('cmd /c start excel "C:\data.xls"', FALSE);
ELSE
MESSAGE('Report execution failed with return code: ' || v_ret);
END IF;
EXCEPTION
WHEN OTHERS THEN
MESSAGE('Error: ' || SQLERRM);
END;
```
### Method 2: Using WebUtil (If Installed)
```plsql
PROCEDURE run_report_via_webutil IS
v_cmd VARCHAR2(2000);
v_ret NUMBER;
BEGIN
-- Build the command (similar to above)
v_cmd := 'rwrun60 userid=scott/tiger@orcl batch=yes module=myreport.rdf ' ||
'destype=file desname="C:\data.xls" desformat=DELIMITED';
-- Execute using WebUtil
v_ret := CLIENT_HOST(v_cmd);
IF v_ret = 0 THEN
MESSAGE('Excel file created successfully');
ELSE
MESSAGE('Error creating Excel file');
END IF;
END;
```
## Important Considerations
1. **File Path Permissions**:
- Ensure the Oracle process has write permissions to C:\
- Consider using a more appropriate directory like C:\TEMP\
2. **Report Location**:
- The myreport.rdf file must be accessible to the Reports runtime
- Either place it in the REPORTS_PATH or specify full path
3. **Output Format**:
- DELIMITED creates a CSV file (not a true Excel file)
- For actual Excel format, use `desformat=SPREADSHEET` (requires Excel driver)
4. **Common Issues**:
```plsql
-- Troubleshooting additions to your command:
v_cmd := v_cmd || ' debug=yes log="C:\report.log"'; // Generate log file
v_cmd := v_cmd || ' trace=yes'; // Enable tracing
```
5. **Alternative for True Excel Format**:
```plsql
v_cmd := 'rwrun60 userid=scott/tiger@orcl module=myreport.rdf ' ||
'destype=file desname="C:\data.xls" desformat=SPREADSHEET ' ||
'batch=yes';
```
## Enhanced Version with Error Handling
```plsql
PROCEDURE export_to_excel_enhanced IS
v_cmd VARCHAR2(3000);
v_ret NUMBER;
v_dir VARCHAR2(256) := 'C:\TEMP\'; -- Better directory choice
BEGIN
-- Verify directory exists using WebUtil
-- (Alternative: Use Java in Forms if WebUtil not available)
-- Build command with timestamped filename
v_cmd := 'rwrun60 userid=' || GET_APPLICATION_PROPERTY(USERNAME) || '/' ||
GET_APPLICATION_PROPERTY(PASSWORD) || '@' ||
GET_APPLICATION_PROPERTY(CONNECT_STRING) ||
' batch=yes module=myreport.rdf ' ||
'destype=file desname="' || v_dir || 'data_' ||
TO_CHAR(SYSDATE, 'YYYYMMDD_HH24MISS') || '.xls" ' ||
'desformat=DELIMITED PARAMFORM=NO';
-- Add dynamic parameters
IF :block.param1 IS NOT NULL THEN
v_cmd := v_cmd || ' P_PARAM1="' || :block.param1 || '"';
END IF;
-- Execute
v_ret := HOST(v_cmd, NO_SCREEN);
-- Handle results
IF v_ret = 0 THEN
MESSAGE('Excel file created successfully in ' || v_dir);
ELSE
RAISE FORM_TRIGGER_FAILURE;
END IF;
EXCEPTION
WHEN OTHERS THEN
MESSAGE('Error exporting to Excel. Code: ' || v_ret || ' - ' || SQLERRM);
-- Log error to file if needed
END;
```
