How to Easily Query Excel Online Data in OpenOffice Base

Apache OpenOffice Base is a versatile, free database tool that makes connecting and managing data easy. With CData ODBC Driver for Excel Online, you can seamlessly integrate and query live Excel Online data, bringing real-time insights directly into OpenOffice.

This guide simplifies the setup, showing you how to connect Excel Online to OpenOffice Base so you can easily generate reports, analyze trends, and make informed decisions right within your familiar workspace.

Overview

Here is an overview of the steps:

1. CONFIGURE: Configure the DSN for Excel Online data in the CData ODBC Driver for Excel Online, using the required connection properties.
2. CONNECT: Set up the ODBC connection in OpenOffice Base using the configured DSN.
3. IMPORT: Once connected, review the available metadata and tables.
4. CREATE: Create a report based on the queried Excel Online data data.

Configure the Excel Online DSN Using the CData ODBC Driver for Excel Online

To start, configure the DSN (Data Source Name) for Excel Online data in your system using the CData ODBC Driver for Excel Online. Download and install a 30-day free trial with all the features from here.

Once installed, launch the ODBC Data Source Administrator:

• On Windows: Search for ODBC Data Source Administrator in the Start menu and open the application.
• On Mac: Open Applications, go to Utilities, and select ODBC Manager.
• On Linux: Use the command line to launch ODBC Data Source Administrator or use unixODBC if installed.

Once launched, double-click on the CData Excel Online data Source and enter the required values to establish a connection:

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.

Setup an ODBC Connection in OpenOffice Base

Once you've set up the DSN, it's time to connect to it in OpenOffice Base and start querying data:

• Launch OpenOffice Base and select Database from the home screen.
• In the Database Wizard, choose ODBC from the 'Connect to an existing database' option and click Next.
• Click Browse to locate and select the DSN you created, then click OK.
• Enter the username associated with the DSN, click Test Connection to verify, and then click Next.
• Finally, click Finish to save the new database file to your desired directory. This will connect OpenOffice Base to your live Excel Online data data, ready for querying and analysis.

Your connection is now established — ready to query and analyze data seamlessly within OpenOffice Base.

Review the Metadata and Tables

After the database file is created and the connection is established, the table list will automatically display all available Excel Online data objects.

• Review the Excel Online data Object List: In the left pane, click on Tables to view the Excel Online data objects now available within OpenOffice Base.
• View Object Data: Click on any object to view its contents. The Excel Online data data will display directly within OpenOffice Base, allowing you to review records and fields with ease.

That's it! You have now successfully established a connection to Excel Online data in OpenOffice Base, with data readily available for analysis and reporting.

Create a Report

Now, let's generate a report based on your Excel Online data data.

• Open your database and go to the Reports tab, then select Create Report Using Wizard.
• In the Report Wizard, choose the Excel Online data table from the Table or Query section. Select the columns from Available Fields that you want to include in your report and move them to the Fields in Report section using the arrows.
• After configuring the fields, click Finish to generate your report.
• Analyze, adjust, save, and publish the report as needed.

Your report is now created, drawing live data directly from Excel Online data, and ready for analysis.

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