Getting Started with the CData Excel Add-In for HCL Domino
This guide explains everything you need to get started with the CData Excel Add-In for HCL Domino. You will learn how to install the add-in, understand licensing behavior, configure your first connection, and import real-time HCL Domino data directly into Excel for analysis, reporting, and automation.
Installation & Licensing
System Requirements
- Windows: Windows 10/11 or Windows Server 2016+
- Microsoft Excel: Excel 2016 or later, Excel for Microsoft 365
- .NET Framework: .NET Framework 4.0 or later
Installing the Excel Add-In
Download and install the Excel Add-In from the CData website by visiting the Excel Add-In download page. Fill in the appropriate contact information when prompted.
Note: If you are downloading a licensed installer, use your company email address and license key.
- Run the installer and follow the setup wizard
- Once installation is complete, open Excel and verify that the CData tab appears in the Excel ribbon
Licensing the Excel Add-In
The Excel Add-In handles licensing during installation. When running the installer, you can choose to:
- Use the trial license, or
- Install a licensed build provided by CData
If you require a subscription license, contact the CData Orders Team at [email protected] to obtain your license key. Once the add-in is installed, it is ready for use.
Common Licensing Questions
Can I install the add-in on multiple machines?
Your subscription tier determines how many activations are included. Contact [email protected] for details.
I lost my license key. How do I retrieve it?
Email [email protected] with your order number, and we'll resend your license key.
How do I transfer my license?
To transfer the license to a different machine, you will need to submit a License Transfer Request on our site linked below:
https://www.cdata.com/lic/transfer/
After the License Transfer Request is submitted and successfully processed, an activation will be added to your Product Key and you will be able to activate the full license on the other machine. Once this process is finished, the license on the previous machine will be invalid.
For additional licensing questions, contact [email protected]. Viewing and upgrading your license can now be done through our self-service portal at portal.cdata.com.
Connection Configuration
Once the add-in is installed, you can configure a secure connection to HCL Domino directly from the Excel ribbon. The add-in stores connection settings inside the Excel environment and uses them to fetch live HCL Domino data.
Creating a New Connection
- Open Excel and navigate to the CData tab in the ribbon
- Click Get Data > From HCL Domino. Then, click New Domino Connection to create a new connection
- Provide a name for your connection and enable Update, Insert, or Delete operations as required
- The CData Connection dialog opens. Enter the authentication details required for HCL Domino (OAuth, API token, credentials, etc.)
Configuring Connection Properties
Connecting to Domino
To connect to Domino data, set the following properties:
- URL: The host name or IP of the server hosting the Domino database. Include the port of the server hosting the Domino database. For example: http://sampleserver:1234/
- DatabaseScope: The name of a scope in the Domino Web UI. The driver exposes forms and views for the schema governed by the specified scope. In the Domino Admin UI, select the Scopes menu in the sidebar. Set this property to the name of an existing scope.
Authenticating with Domino
Domino supports authenticating via login credentials or an Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) OAuth application:
Login Credentials
To authenticate with login credentials, set the following properties:
- AuthScheme: Set this to "OAuthPassword"
- User: The username of the authenticating Domino user
- Password: The password associated with the authenticating Domino user
The driver uses the login credentials to automatically perform an OAuth token exchange.
EntraID (formerly AzureAD)
This authentication method uses Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) as an IdP to obtain a JWT token. You need to create a custom OAuth application in Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) and configure it as an IdP. To do so, follow the instructions in the Help documentation. Then set the following properties:
- AuthScheme: Set this to "EntraID (formerly AzureAD)"
- InitiateOAuth: Set this to GETANDREFRESH. You can use InitiateOAuth to avoid repeating the OAuth exchange and manually setting the OAuthAccessToken.
- OAuthClientId: The Client ID obtained when setting up the custom OAuth application.
- OAuthClientSecret: The Client secret obtained when setting up the custom OAuth application.
- CallbackURL: The redirect URI defined when you registered your app. For example: https://localhost:33333
- AzureTenant: The Microsoft Online tenant being used to access data. Supply either a value in the form companyname.microsoft.com or the tenant ID.
The tenant ID is the same as the directory ID shown in the Azure Portal's Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) > Properties page.
Testing your Connection
- Click Test Connection to validate your input
- Click OK to save the connection
Importing Data into Excel
After creating a connection, you can import HCL Domino data into Excel using the built-in query interface.
Selecting Tables and Views
- From the CData ribbon, click Get Data > From HCL Domino and choose the connection you just made
- The CData Query window opens. Click Select to choose a table or view
- Select your desired table and click OK
Running the Query
- A SQL query is automatically generated for your selected table
- Review the query (optional), then click OK to run it
- The results populate directly into your Excel worksheet
You can now build pivot tables, charts, or use Excel formulas to analyze your HCL Domino data.
Common Connection Issues
Authentication Failed
Solution: Verify your credentials or OAuth configuration. Ensure that your HCL Domino account has the required API permissions.
Cannot Connect to HCL Domino
Solution: Check your internet connection, firewall settings, or proxy configuration. Contact [email protected] for specific port requirements.
Table Not Found
Solution: Confirm your account has access to the selected HCL Domino data object. Use the table selector in the Query window to browse available resources.
Query Returned No Results
Solution: Verify any filters or WHERE clauses in the generated SQL. Remove or adjust filters to broaden your query.
What's Next
Now that you have installed, licensed, and configured the Excel Add-In, explore how to automate reporting, refresh live dashboards, and build advanced queries using SQL or Excel functions.
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Get Support
If you need assistance at any point:
- Technical Support: [email protected]
- Community Forum: CData Community Site
- Help Documentation: Installed locally and available online
FAQs
Installation & Licensing
- Does Excel require administrator rights to install the add-in?
Administrative privileges are required for installation. - How do I activate a license?
Licensing occurs during installation. Licensed installers automatically apply subscription keys.
Connecting
- Can I use multiple HCL Domino accounts?
Each time you click Get Data, you can configure a new connection. - Can I connect through a proxy?
You can configure proxy settings in the Connection dialog.
Performance & Troubleshooting
- Why is my query slow?
Add filters using the query editor or narrow the selected fields. - How do I enable logging?
Add the following to your connection manager:
- Logfile: /path/to/logfile.log
- Verbosity: 3
Be prepared to securely upload the log file upon request when reaching out to [email protected] for troubleshooting analysis.
- How do I refresh data?
Select the imported table and click Refresh from the CData ribbon.
For questions not covered in this FAQ, contact [email protected].