Quick and dirty reporting solution using Excel

Problem

Sometimes you must provide quick reporting solution, but at the same moment you don't have proper resources or you are just lazy!

Solution

If your client has MS Excel installed, you can in few steps provide rather slick ad hoc solution which will do the job until you can provide something with more professional feel. Hey, I've done project where most of the reports are done this way and client prefers it. It's a Trade-off with capital T. :)

Step by step Tutorial for Getting Data from SQL Server

1. Write appropriate query or view, I'll use view and advise you to do the same.
2. Create New Excel document on client computer.
3. Open it, on Data toolbar chose From Other Sources(or Existing Connections, if you have useful existing connection). It will start Data Connection Wizard which will guide you, it's self-explanatory.
4. When you are done with wizard Import Data dialog will pop out. Leave default values and click OK. Here you go!
   Client can refresh data and manipulate with results, play with charts etc.

You can provide similar results with other data sources as well, try them!

This isn't revolutionary idea, but I think it's neglected.