Rails - Feb 2006 - Exporting/Importing selected columns of a database?

Hi, I would like to be able to select one or more columns via the
list.rhtml or similar view file an export those tables to one of the
following formats:

a) excel
b) csv or txt comma delimited
c) txt tab delimited
d) dBase
e) pdf
f)  flash paper (optional)

Finally, I would like to be able to import (a) - (d) and associate
them to the appropriate column in the database before importing the
data.  BTW, I''m new to the RoR development and I''m simply
trying to
demo an alternative to PHP to my clients.  At this time, they are
using MySQL as the database engine.

Thanks in advance,

-Conrad