to_csv_rails

to_csv_rails implements a to_csv method on your Arrays. It makes exporting records to csv a simple task, even when using responders.

Installation

Simply add this to your Gemfile:

gem 'to_csv_rails'

Them run:

bundle install

Usage

Considering that you have a model called User. Here are some examples.

Exporting all fields

User.all.to_csv

Exporting only id and name

User.all.to_csv(:only => [:id, :name])

Exporting everything except id

User.all.to_csv(:except => [:id])

Adding headers

User.all.to_csv(:headers => [:id, :name])

Usage with responders

On a Rails application it's very common to use responders when you want to display the same data but with a different format.

Considering again that your model is User and that you have a controller called UsersController generated by scaffold. Change:

def index
  @users = User.all

  respond_to do |format|
    format.html # index.html.erb
    format.json { render json: @users }
  end
end

To:

def index
  @users = User.all

  respond_to do |format|
    format.html # index.html.erb
    format.json { render json: @users }
    format.csv { render csv: @users }
  end
end    

Accessing /users.csv will return your users in csv format.