title: How to script Excel or Numbers on a mac, and launch from bash?
body: <p>I want to write a bash script for a mac which takes a text file containing a table of numbers (can be .csv), converts the numbers to a chart, saves the chart (any file format that I can display on my web page), and exits.  It must do this unattended.  No user interaction.</p>
  
  <p>I know bash, perl, and a little AppleScript, and I can learn VBA or whatever else. I am about to plunk down money for the new Excel 2011 for Mac. I <em>think</em> I want Excel rather than Numbers'09, but I am not at all sure, and I <em>think</em> VBA or AppleScript will allow me to automate most of the work.</p>
  
  <p>Is AppleScript + Excel a good choice?  If so, then I'm home free.  Applescript programs can be launched from bash via osascript command.</p>
  
  <p>But maybe VBA is better?  But how can I launch a Excel VBA script from bash on a mac?</p>
  
  <p>Summary of questions: (1) AppleScript or VBA or something else? (2) Excel or Numbers? (3) How to launch Excel VBA script from bash?</p>
  
  <p>Thanks in advance,
  Ken</p>