Intro to MS Query

As has been often discussed in this blog, there are an abundance of powerful tools in Excel that are often overlooked or ignored. This has been a recent theme, so today I want to gently introduce you to MS Query in Excel.

Microsoft Query is, frankly, an Advanced Tool for mining external data. Once this data is acquired from the external source, you are then free to work your Excel magic and manipulate it as you wish. Along with other potential sources, you can secure your information from the following databases/applications:

• Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services
• Microsoft Access
• dBASE
• Microsoft Excel
• Text file databases

To fire up MS Query, first go to the Data tab and click on "From Other Sources." Select the option "From Microsoft Query."
 

Then choose a data source, (MS Access Database for instance), and provide the required information when prompted. You can also click Browse to find the source on your hard drive or network.

From there, it is a relatively straightforward matter of following the prompts of the Query Wizard. With a small bit of experience, you will be able to extract the Data you need, and be on your way to developing the Information you want in Excel.

If your job involves analysis of information stored in other formats and sources, you owe it to yourself to take a spin with MS Query.

All the best…