Can I reliably create Excel documents from a PHP application on a Linux server?

What is the state generating Excel documents from a PHP application on a Linux server?

I am interesting in creating Office 97 (xls) Excel files. My limited research on the subject has turned up this Pear package. It appears to be in beta status since 2006.

Can you share your success or failures in generating Excel files from PHP? Is there a reliable and mature tool available?

Update: For this application I do need to generate an Excel file, not just a CSV file.

Solution

There is something much better than the PEAR package out there!

PHPExcel

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