Axlsx Rails. Generate .xlsx file and respond filename as json/html - ruby-on-rails

Question

I am generating xlsx files with axlsx_rails gem.
After collecting user input I am posting data to /basic_report_post.xlsx
Controller action looks like
def basic_report_post
#config = params[:config]
#data = params[:data]
#filename = "#{Rails.root}/public/test.xlsx"
respond_to do |format|
format.xlsx {
render xlsx: 'basic_report_post'
}
end
end
View file for this action basic_report_post.xlsx.axlsx
wb = xlsx_package.workbook
wb.add_worksheet(name: 'Data1') do |s|
# Drawing columns
end
xlsx_package.serialize #filename
My problem is that I am getting response data(in post success action) that is raw .xlsx file.
But I need somehow respond #filename (format json/html) to download it after.

Answer 1

It is possible to use the axlsx_rails template renderer to create a string and save it to file:
def basic_report_post
#config = params[:config]
#data = params[:data]
#filename = "#{Rails.root}/public/test.xlsx"
File.open(#filename, 'w') do |f|
f.write render_to_string(handlers: [:axlsx], formats: [:xlsx], template: 'path/to/template')
end
render json: {name: #filename}
end
Then you can use the template to serve the file directly if need be.

Answer 2

After some experiments with respond_to I move .xlsx generation logic to view helper.
So I have included BasicReportHelper in controller.
basic_report_helper.rb
module BasicReportsHelper
def generate_basic_report(filename)
p = Axlsx::Package.new
wb = p.workbook
wb.add_worksheet(:name => "Basic Worksheet") do |sheet|
# Drawing here
end
p.serialize filename
end
end
Changed post call to /basic_report_post.json and changed action to
def basic_report_post
#config = params[:config]
#data = params[:data]
#filename = "#{Rails.root}/public/test.xlsx"
generate_basic_report(#filename)
respond_to do |format|
format.json {
render json: {name: #filename}
}
end
end