How to get data from SQL Server into MS Excel? - Part 1

Microsoft EXCEL and Microsoft SQL Server are highly compatible. You could get data from SQL Server into MS EXCEL and vice-versa very easily.

Make sure you have access rights to what you are getting from SQL Server and that the Database engine has started.

For this post I will be getting data from the Northwind database on my SQL Server shown here:

ExcelFromSQLServer_0

Launch your EXCEL application. What I have is EXCEL(x32bit) from Office 365 subscription.
Click Data and Get Data. Review the options in the menu and click From SQL Server Database as shown.

ExcelFromSQLServer_1

The following window opens where you are expected to enter the SQL Server Database information.

ExcelfromSQLServer_2.png

Enter the SQL Server Database Engine info in the form of <computername\Server-instance_name>, you can get a hint from the SQL Server Management Studio in the first image above. The database (name) is optional. The Advanced options provides a means for issuing a SQL statement, such as query as shown.

ExcelfromSQLServer_3.png

We will provide neither a database name nor use the Advanced Options.

Click OK.

The Navigator window opens as shown.

ExcelfromSQLServer_4.png

Click Northwind to display all the tables and views in the database.

ExcelfromSQLServer_5.png

Now you have access to all the database objects.

In Part 2 we will look at developing queries etc.