I want to extract large amounts of data from Excel, manipulate it and put it back. I have found the best way to do this is to extract the data from an Excel Range in to a large array, change the contents on the array and write it back to the Excel Range.

I am now rewriting the application using VB.NET 2008/2010 and wish to take advantage of any new features.

Currently I have to loop through the contents of the array to find elements with certain values; also sorting large arrays is cumbersome. I am looking to use the new features, including LINQ to manipulate the data in my array.

Does anybody have any advice on the easiest ways to filter / query, sort etc. data in a large array. Also what are the reasonable limits to the size of the array?

~Many Thanks