Back Up Excel Online data to SQL Server through SSIS

This article illustrates using the Excel Online ADO.NET Data Provider within a SQL Server SSIS workflow for the direct transfer of Excel Online data to a Microsoft SQL Server database. It's worth noting that the identical process detailed below is applicable to any CData ADO.NET Data Providers, enabling the direct connection of SQL Server with remote data through SSIS.

1. Open Visual Studio and create a new Integration Services project.
2. Add a new Data Flow task from the toolbox onto the Control Flow screen.

3. In the Data Flow screen, add an ADO.NET Source and an OLE DB Destination from the toolbox.

4. Add a new connection and select .NET Providers\CData ADO.NET Provider for Excel Online.

5. In the connection manager, enter the connection details for Excel Online data.

   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.

6. Open the DataReader editor and set the following information:

   • ADO.NET connection manager: In the Connection Managers menu, select the Data Connection you just created.
   • Data access mode: Select 'SQL command'.
   • SQL command text: In the DataReader Source editor, open the Component Properties tab and enter a SELECT command, such as the one below:
     SELECT Id, Column1 FROM Test_xlsx_Sheet1

7. Close the DataReader editor and drag the arrow below the DataReader Source to connect it to the OLE DB Destination.

8. Open the OLE DB Destination and enter the following information in the Destination Component Editor.

   • Connection manager: Add a new connection. Enter your server and database information here. In this example, SQLExpress is running on a separate machine.
   • Data access mode: Set your data access mode to "table or view" and select the table or view to populate in your database.

9. Configure any properties you wish on the Mappings screen.

10. Close the OLE DB Destination Editor and run the project. After the SSIS task has finished executing, your database will be populated with data obtained from Excel Online data.