Jan,
I am not sure how often you want to retrieve the data, if you want it to be user user driven, or if it is going to de in developement. The easiest way is the impoert wizard. It will create allow some minor formatting of the data then put it in a table for you. You will probably wave to tweak the table afterwards but it is the fastest and easiest way to get the data. I prefer to use a statement like :

oExcel = CREATEOBJECT('Excel.Application')

Then manipulate it programmatically. If you have never programmed excel from VFP it is not as hard as you would think. The best way to learn is to record some Macros in Excel then look at the VB scripts it creates. This will expose alot of Excels PEMs to you and it translates fairly easily to VFP.

Best of Luck,
Woodie Westbrook