How to update FTP from Excel

The CData Excel Add-In for FTP enables you to edit and save FTP data directly from Excel. This article explains how to transfer data from Excel to FTP. This technique is useful if you want to work on FTP data in Excel and update changes, or if you have a whole spreadsheet you want to import into FTP. In this example, you will use the MyDirectory table; however, the same process will work for any table that can be retrieved by the CData Excel Add-In.

Establish a Connection

If you have not already done so, create a new FTP connection by clicking From FTP on the ribbon.

To connect to FTP or SFTP servers, specify at least RemoteHost and FileProtocol. Specify the port with RemotePort.

Set User and Password to perform Basic authentication. Set SSHAuthMode to use SSH authentication. See the Getting Started section of the data provider help documentation for more information on authenticating via SSH.

Set SSLMode and SSLServerCert to secure connections with SSL.

The data provider lists the tables based on the available folders in your FTP server. Set the following connection properties to control the relational view of the file system:

• RemotePath: Set this to the current working directory.
• TableDepth: Set this to control the depth of folders to list as views.
• FileRetrievalDepth: Set this to retrieve and list files recursively from the root table.

Stored Procedures are available to download files, upload files, and send protocol commands. See the Data Model chapter of the FTP data provider documentation for more information.

Retrieve Data from FTP

To insert data into FTP, you will first need to retrieve data from the FTP table you want to add to. This links the Excel spreadsheet to the FTP table selected: After you retrieve data, any changes you make to the data are highlighted in red.

1. Click the From FTP button on the CData ribbon. The Data Selection wizard is displayed.
2. In the Table or View menu, select the MyDirectory table.
3. In the Maximum Rows menu, select the number of rows you want to retrieve. If you want to insert rows, you need to retrieve only one row. The Query box will then display the SQL query that corresponds to your request.
4. In the Sheet Name box, enter the name for the sheet that will be populated. By default the add-in will create a new sheet with the name of the table.

Insert Rows to FTP

After retrieving data, you can add data from an existing spreadsheet in Excel.

1. In a cell after the last row, enter a formula referencing the corresponding cell from the other spreadsheet; for example, =MyMyDirectorySheetInExcel!A1.
2. After using a formula to reference the cells you want to add to FTP, select the cells that you are inserting data into and drag the formula down as far as needed. The referenced values you want to add will be displayed on the MyDirectory sheet.
3. Highlight the rows you want to insert and click the Update Rows button.

As each row is inserted, the Id value will appear in the Id column and the row's text will change to black, indicating that the record has been inserted.