to_csv plugin¶ ↑

This simple plugin gives you the ability to call to_csv to a collection of activerecords. The builder options are the same as to_json / to_xml, except for the :include.

Usage¶ ↑

@users = User.all

#
# defaults are export headers and all fields
#

@users.to_csv
@users.to_csv(:only => [:last_name, :role]) # This will also set the order
@users.to_csv(:headers => false)
@users.to_csv(:except => [:last_name, :role])
@users.to_csv(:methods => :admin?)
@users.to_csv({:methods => :admin?}, {:col_sep => '\t'}) # Send csv generation options

Real life example¶ ↑

In the controller where you want to export to csv, add the format.csv line (as of rails 2.1 it is not necessary to register the csv myme_type)

class UserController < ApplicationController
  def index
    @users = User.all

    respond_to do |format|
      format.html
      format.xml { render :xml => @users }
      format.csv { send_data @users.to_csv }
    end
  end
end

Dependencies¶ ↑

None if using ruby >= 1.9

Else, install fastercsv:
sudo gem install fastercsv

Install¶ ↑

./script/plugin install git://github.com/arydjmal/to_csv.git

Ideas¶ ↑

I got ideas and influence from Mike Clarks recipe #35 in Rails Recipes book, some anonymous pastie, and whoever wrote to_xml/to_json builders.

Note¶ ↑

Does not work on a single activerecord, ie, User.first.to_csv.

Copyright © 2008-2011 Ary Djmal, released under the MIT license