Hi,
Thanks for posting to the community!
Currently, the only way to export data sets/data modules to excel from Cognos relies on the Reporting tool as you mentioned.
If you would like to see more functionality in this area, please log a request for enhancement at the site below to allow us to gauge the market need for the feature.
https://ibmanalytics.ideas.aha.io/
Thank you,
------------------------------
Sami El Cheikh
Offering Manager
IBM Cognos Analytics
------------------------------