Access Live SharePoint Excel Services Data in Coginiti Pro

Coginiti Pro is a single tool for all your SQL data and analytics needs, designed specifically for data engineers, analysts, and data scientists. When paired with the CData JDBC Driver for SharePoint Excel Services, Coginiti Pro can access and query live SharePoint Excel Services data. This article describes how to connect to and query SharePoint Excel Services data from Coginiti Pro.

With built-in optimized data processing, the CData JDBC Driver for SharePoint Excel Services offers unmatched performance for interacting with live SharePoint Excel Services data. When you issue complex SQL queries to SharePoint Excel Services, the driver pushes supported SQL operations, like filters and aggregations, directly to SharePoint Excel Services and utilizes the embedded SQL engine to process unsupported operations client-side (often SQL functions and JOIN operations). In addition, its built-in dynamic metadata querying allows you to work with and analyze SharePoint Excel Services data using native data types.

Gather Connection Properties and Build a Connection String

Download the CData JDBC Driver for SharePoint Excel Services installer, unzip the package, and run the JAR file to install the driver. Then gather the required connection properties.

The URL, User, and Password properties, under the Authentication section, must be set to valid credentials for SharePoint Online, SharePoint 2010, or SharePoint 2013. Additionally, the Library property must be set to a valid SharePoint Document Library and the File property must be set to a valid .xlsx file in the indicated Library.

NOTE: To use the JDBC driver in Coginiti Pro, you may need a license (full or trial) and a Runtime Key (RTK). For more information on obtaining this license (or a trial), contact our sales team.

Built-in Connection String Designer

For assistance constructing the JDBC URL, use the connection string designer built into the SharePoint Excel Services JDBC Driver. Double-click the JAR file or execute the jar file from the command line.

Fill in the connection properties (including the RTK) and copy the connection string to the clipboard.

Create a JDBC Data Source for SharePoint Excel Services Data

1. Open Coginiti Pro and in the File menu, select "Edit Drivers."
2. In the newly opened wizard, click "Add" and select "Generic."

3. In the "JDBC Drivers" wizard, set the driver properties (below) and click "Create Driver."

   • Set JDBC Driver Name to a useful name, like CData JDBC Driver for SharePoint Excel Services.
   • Click "Add Files" to add the JAR file from the "lib" folder in the installation directory (e.g. cdata.jdbc.excelservices.jar)
   • Select the Class Name: cdata.jdbc.excelservices.ExcelServicesDriver.

Create a Connection using the CData JDBC Driver for SharePoint Excel Services

1. In the File menu, click "Edit Connections."
2. In the newly opened wizard, click "Add" and select "Generic."
3. In the "Connections" wizard, set the connection properties.
   • Set Connection name to an identifying name.
   • Set Database JDBC driver to the Driver you configured earlier.
   • Set JDBC URL to the JDBC URL configured using the built-in connection string designer (e.g. jdbc:excelservices:URL=https://myorg.sharepoint.com;[email protected];Password=password;File=Book1.xlsx;
4. Click "Test" to ensure the connection is configured properly. Click "Save."

Query SharePoint Excel Services Using SQL

1. Open the Connections tab by clicking on database icon: .
2. Click the plus sign () to add a new query tab.

3. Once the query console is open, write the SQL script you wish to execute and click "Run at Cursor".

   NOTE: You can use the explorer on the left to determine table/view names and column names.

   Using the explorer

   1. In the "Select connection" field, select the connection you wish to query.
   2. Expand your newly created connection, expand the "CData" catalog, and expand the SharePoint Excel Services catalog.
   3. Expand "Tables" or "Views" to find the entity you wish to query.
   4. Expand your selected entity to explore the fields (columns).

Free Trial & More Information

Download a free, 30-day trial of the CData JDBC Driver for SharePoint Excel Services and start working with your live SharePoint Excel Services data in Coginiti Pro. Reach out to our Support Team if you have any questions.