How to update Amazon DynamoDB from Excel

The CData Excel Add-In for Amazon DynamoDB enables you to edit and save Amazon DynamoDB data directly from Excel. This article explains how to transfer data from Excel to Amazon DynamoDB. This technique is useful if you want to work on Amazon DynamoDB data in Excel and update changes, or if you have a whole spreadsheet you want to import into Amazon DynamoDB. In this example, you will use the Lead 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 Amazon DynamoDB connection by clicking From Amazon DynamoDB on the ribbon.

The connection to Amazon DynamoDB is made using your AccessKey, SecretKey, and optionally your Domain and Region. Your AccessKey and SecretKey can be obtained on the security credentials page for your Amazon Web Services account. Your Region will be displayed in the upper left-hand corner when you are logged into DynamoDB.

Retrieve Data from Amazon DynamoDB

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

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

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, =MyLeadSheetInExcel!A1.
2. After using a formula to reference the cells you want to add to Amazon DynamoDB, 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 Lead 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.