How to Query Excel Online Data in MySQL Workbench



Execute MySQL queries against live Excel Online data from MySQL Workbench.

You can use the SQL Gateway from the ODBC Driver for Excel Online to query Excel Online data through a MySQL interface. Follow the procedure below to start the MySQL remoting service of the SQL Gateway and work with live Excel Online data in MySQL Workbench.

Connect to Excel Online Data

If you have not already done so, provide values for the required connection properties in the data source name (DSN). You can use the built-in Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator to configure the DSN. This is also the last step of the driver installation. See the "Getting Started" chapter in the help documentation for a guide to using the Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator to create and configure a DSN.

You can connect to a workbook by providing authentication to Excel Online and then setting the following properties:

  • Workbook: Set this to the name or Id of the workbook.

    If you want to view a list of information about the available workbooks, execute a query to the Workbooks view after you authenticate.

  • UseSandbox: Set this to true if you are connecting to a workbook in a sandbox account. Otherwise, leave this blank to connect to a production account.

You use the OAuth authentication standard to authenticate to Excel Online. See the Getting Started section in the help documentation for a guide. Getting Started also guides you through executing SQL to worksheets and ranges.

Configure the SQL Gateway

See the SQL Gateway Overview to set up connectivity to Excel Online data as a virtual MySQL database. You will configure a MySQL remoting service that listens for MySQL requests from clients. The service can be configured in the SQL Gateway UI.

Creating a MySQL Remoting Service in SQL Gateway (Salesforce is shown)

Query Excel Online from MySQL Workbench

The steps below outline connecting to the virtual Excel Online database created in the SQL Gateway from MySQL Workbench and issuing basic queries to work with live Excel Online data.

Connect to Excel Online through the SQL Gateway

  1. In MySQL Workbench, click to add a new MySQL connection.
  2. Name the connection (CData SQL Gateway for Excel Online).
  3. Set the Hostname, Port, and Username parameters to connect to the SQL Gateway.
  4. Click Store in Vault to set and store the password.
  5. Click Test Connection to ensure the connection is configured properly and click OK.

NOTE: When we refer to Username and Password, we mean the credentials for the user(s) created for the SQL Gateway.

Query Excel Online Data

  1. Open the connection you just created (CData SQL Gateway for Excel Online).
  2. Click File -> New Query Tab.
  3. Write a SQL query to retrieve Excel Online data, like SELECT * FROM `CData ExcelOnline Sys`.Test_xlsx_Sheet1;

With access to live Excel Online data from MySQL Workbench, you can easily query and update Excel Online, just like you would a MySQL database. Get started now with a free, 30-day trial of the CData ODBC Driver for Excel Online and the CData SQL Gateway.

Ready to get started?

Download a free trial of the Excel Online ODBC Driver to get started:

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Excel Online Icon Excel Online ODBC Driver

The Excel Online ODBC Driver is a powerful tool that allows you to connect with live Excel Online data, directly from any applications that support ODBC connectivity.

Access Excel Online Spreadsheet data like you would a database - read, write, and update data through a standard ODBC Driver interface.