Query Excel Online Data in MySQL Workbench

MySQL Workbench allows users to administer MySQL environments and gain better visibility into databases. When paired with CData Connect (on-premise or Connect Server), you get live access to Excel Online data as if it were a MySQL database. This article shows how to create a virtual database for Excel Online in Connect and work with live Excel Online data in MySQL Workbench.

Create a Virtual MySQL Database for Excel Online Data

CData Connect uses a straightforward, point-and-click interface to connect to data sources and generate APIs.

1. Login to Connect and click Connections.
2. Select "Excel Online" from Available Data Sources.
3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to Excel Online.

   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.

4. Click Save Changes
5. Click Privileges -> Add and add the new user (or an existing user) with the appropriate permissions.

With the virtual database created, you are ready to connect to Excel Online from MySQL Workbench.

Query Excel Online from MySQL Workbench

The steps below outline connecting to the virtual Excel Online database in Connect from MySQL Workbench and issuing basic queries to work with live Excel Online data.

Connect to Excel Online through Connect

1. In MySQL Workbench, click to add a new MySQL connection.
2. Name the connection (CData Connect).
3. Set the Hostname, Port, and Username parameters to connect to the SQL Gateway.
4. Click Store in Vault to set and store the password.
5. Click Test Connection to ensure the connection is configured properly and click OK.

Query Excel Online Data

1. Open the connection you just created (CData Connect).
2. Click File -> New Query Tab.
3. Write a SQL query to retrieve Excel Online data, like SELECT * FROM excelonlinedb.Test_xlsx_Sheet1;

With access to live Excel Online data from MySQL Workbench, you can easily query and update Excel Online, just like you would a MySQL database. Request a demo of the CData Connect and start working with Excel Online just like a MySQL database today.