Actually, iam exporting data from a jsp using response.setContentType("application/vnd") and the format of the data for example i have a field named Model Number which is say 4-4-3, it is getting converted into 04/04/2003 when i open the Excel to view the exported data. Now what you have suggested is something that a user can do after the excel has been saved but i want a solution that will retain the format of the data just as it is written onto the Excel sheet. Hope i get the solution ASAP.