Excel and SQL Server - Book?

  • Thread starter Thread starter RJ
  • Start date Start date
R

RJ

I am looking to integrate Excel and a back end MS SQL Server database.

The database is running on MS SQL server and has statistical information
for help desk agent call stats. I want to create a spreadsheet that can query
the database and provide certain information about agent stats, to our agents.
Something the agents can use to keep up to date with their performance.

I have a general idea of how to do this, but am looking for an Excel
book that can assist me with this. Something beyond the basic,
and with some depth in SQL database integration. (Note: I am not a programmer,
but have have some programming and scripting experience).
The book doesn't have to be *just* about this topic, but does need to
cover it in some depth.

Does anyone have any suggestions? (Excel 2003 and SQL Server 2000)
 
RJ

I would suggest any Excel book that covers pivot tables in detail as the
external source for this makes little difference.

If it's the SQL bit you need training on then you may need two books, but
undoubtedly you'll need a pivot table to report this to your agents

--
HTH
Nick Hodge
Microsoft MVP - Excel
Southampton, England

(e-mail address removed)
www.nickhodge.co.uk
 
I get the impression that you will only be reading data from the database
and not posting data to it. As you are not a programmer then I suggest that
you start with some straight forward queries by using MsQuery (it should be
available to you - if not, see your system administrator). This will tell
you two things:
1) Whether or not you have sufficient rights, to SQL Server, to get access
to the data.
2) Whether you know what questions you might need to ask.

Before buying a book (or books) I suggest you feel your way with these
simple ideas. In essence I'm suggesting that you just prove you can get the
data and then refine your ideas, and build on your experience, from there.

Do you have MsAccess on your PC either at work or at home? The following
links will give you some more background. They use Ms Access as the
target/source database, but the principles are easily transferred to the SQL
Server environment.
http://www.bygsoftware.com/examples/sql.html

Or you can get there from the "Excel with Access Databases" section on page:
http://www.bygsoftware.com/examples/examples.htm

It demonstrates how to use SQL in Excel's VBA to:

* create a database,
* create a table
* insert records
* select records,
* update records,
* delete records,
* delete a table,
* delete a database.

DAO and ADO files available.

You can also download the demonstration file called "excelsql.zip".

The code is open and commented.
 
Thanks for the input. After spending some time at Amazon,
I found a couple of books that go into detail about accessing/using
external data sources (i.e. databases) that should give me what I need.
 
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