1. A computer-implemented method comprising: at a database server, receiving a request from a spreadsheet application to open a spreadsheet file, wherein the request includes a filename for the file; wherein spreadsheet data is stored in one or more relational tables in one or more relational databases that are managed by the database server; in response to receiving said request to open a spreadsheet file: the database server retrieving spreadsheet data via an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) view that is defined by a particular query; the database server converting said spreadsheet data retrieved via the XML view into said spreadsheet file; the database server providing the spreadsheet file directly to the spreadsheet application; wherein the method is performed by one or more computer systems.