User Updating Of New Info - Excel

#1

Hi,

I have a dashboard that connects to our system database. From there I can can pull in most information.

However, I also want to add into the dashboard some information that is not (and will never be) in the system database. Some of this information is known now and is fixed, but some is only known at the start of each new day.

I have an excel data cube that holds some of the known information that will not change, and thats ok. But how do I update the excel file fro the new information that is only known each new day; so that t feeds into the existing dashboard.

TC

#2

Have you thought about UNC connection?

If the connector points to a UNC connection which is an Excel file on a shared network location, anyone can change that Excel file and the dashboard will pull the new information when the connector and/or cube is refreshed/rebuilt.

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#3

Thanks David,

That sounds perfect but Im not technical so I wouldn’t know where to start,

At the moment it is just me that needs to update the excel file. Is that easier?

TC

#4

Hi David, I looked it up there now on the Dundas website so I will try that.

Tnx again.

TC

#5

Hi David,

I cannot seem to get it to connect using a UNC connection. I also asked our IT company to look at the settings I was using but still cannot get it to work.
Is there any alternative to having the excel file on the server (like in google sheets or DropBox or OneDrive?) that would make it easier?

TC

#6

Hi Tommy

I don’t know what the problem with the UNC could be - you may need to contact support. I know that it won’t work if you have the file open anywhere else when Dundas is trying to access it.

There is a Google Sheets connector which you can investigate. I have never used it myself.

Best

#7

Tnx David…

#8

Hi @tommy.cole,

It’s almost certain that the issue you’re seeing with the UNC path has to do with the security of network share. Talk to your IT team and make sure the security is shared correctly, 99% sure it’s not. Remember, the user that Dundas BI uses to connect to the Excel file using the UNC path might not be the user you expect.

image
image.png438×505 16.4 KB

The area i highlighted above really matters. If you have it set to Server Windows Credentials, it’s going to use whichever account you choose when you installed Dundas BI. I believe it’s called NETWORK_SERVICE by default and you need to make sure that this user has full access to the path, not necessarily your user.

Failing this, you can always use the Upload Option but that means you’re going to have to manually update your excel file. It’s much better if you can get the security sorted.

You can also test by taking Dundas BI out of the picture. Try to access the file using the network path from the server hosting Dundas BI directly. \whateverlocation\myfile

#9

Tnx Jeff,

I’ll pass that along to our IT company to try and get the security sorted.

However if I can’t get it sorted, If I upload the file, how do I update it? I don’t mind once I can update the file each day. I don’t mind also if the file is on OneDrive or Dropbox or Google Sheets. Once I can update it either from within Dundas or updating a s/sheet that has a live connection.

Sorry to hijack your answer to my prior question; just very keen to get it sorted.

Tnx,

Tommy

#10

Hi Tommy,

If you want to update the excel file manually, you can re-edit the data connector and then use the choose file button from my image above to replace your previous one. Just make sure that you aren’t changing the structure of your new excel file or else you’re essentially kicking the legs out from under your table.

#11

Tnx Jeff, that makes sense. Just so I don’t have to re-do all the formuals again.

1 Like