How to update Databricks from Excel

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

Getting Started

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Establish a Connection

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

To connect to a Databricks cluster, set the properties as described below.

Note: The needed values can be found in your Databricks instance by navigating to Clusters, and selecting the desired cluster, and selecting the JDBC/ODBC tab under Advanced Options.

• Server: Set to the Server Hostname of your Databricks cluster.
• HTTPPath: Set to the HTTP Path of your Databricks cluster.
• Token: Set to your personal access token (this value can be obtained by navigating to the User Settings page of your Databricks instance and selecting the Access Tokens tab).

Retrieve Data from Databricks

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

1. Click the From Databricks button on the CData ribbon. The Data Selection wizard is displayed.
2. In the Table or View menu, select the Customers 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 Databricks

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, =MyCustomersSheetInExcel!A1.
2. After using a formula to reference the cells you want to add to Databricks, 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 Customers 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.