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Import or connect to data

You can use these procedures to import data from most data sources, including OLAP databases.

For information about filtering or joining data before you import it into Microsoft Excel, see Microsoft Query Help.

1. On the Data menu, point to Import External Data, and then click Import Data.

2. Do one of the following:

   Open an existing data source

   • In the Select Data Source dialog box, select a data source from My Data Sources, and then click Open.

   Create a new data source connection

   1. In the Select Data Source dialog box, click New Source.
   2. In the Data Connection Wizard, choose a data source to connect to, and then click Next.

      Notes

      • If you cannot find the data source you want, contact your system administrator.
      • If you choose Other/Advanced under What kind of data source do you want to connect to?, you are given a list of OLE DB providers. For more information about connecting to a provider, see your OLE DB provider documentation.
      • If you choose Microsoft Business Solutions or Data retrieval services under What kind of data source do you want to connect to?, a databound XML list that can be refreshed from the data source will be created in your worksheet. To use these data sources, you must have access to a server that is running Windows SharePoint Services. A default installation of Windows SharePoint Services provides a data retrieval service for connecting to data in SharePoint lists. A SharePoint site administrator can install the Microsoft Office Web Parts and Components to add additional data retrieval services for Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Business Solutions. The installation program for Microsoft Office Web Parts and Components is available from the Downloads on Microsoft Office Online.
   3. Provide the information requested by the Data Connection Wizard dialog boxes.
3. If you want, you can do the following in the Import Data dialog box:
   • Click Properties to choose query definition, refresh, and formatting and layout options, and then click OK.
   • Click Edit Query to edit the Connection, Command Type, and Command Text of your OLE DB query.
   • For a query created with Microsoft Query or for a Web query, click Parameters to specify how a parameter value is obtained for the external data range.
4. Do one of the following:

   • To return the external data to the selected worksheet, click Existing worksheet. On your worksheet, click the cell where you want to place the upper-left corner of the external data range, and then click OK.

   • To return the external data to a new worksheet, click New worksheet, and then click OK. Excel adds a new worksheet to your workbook and automatically puts the external data range in the upper-left corner of the new worksheet.