Transfer All Data turns Excel into a powerful reporting and data modification tool by creating and executing SQL commands. The SQL commands are driven by Actions inside TAD. These actions empower users to interact with the SQL Server database directly from Excel, facilitating data retrieval and modification without the need to switch between different applications.
The base of everything you do in TAD is adding a Table or Report. These represent the Tab Types. Both use a SQL Statement to determine what data will be downloaded, but they also have unique features.
Tables: Start with in order to import, update and delete records. Also, use for batch actions and other processes.
Reports: Start with in order to download from over 100 standard reports or create your own, including Financials.
Major Differences
1. Tables utilize the Table Actions on the ribbon while Reports cannot.
2. Reports can download data from a stored procedure while Tables cannot.
3. Reports allow you to control each column’s format while Tables use the database properties.
4. Reports have different output formats referred to as the Layout Types.
When building a Table or Report, you have the ability to change the following parts of the SQL Statement:
| Part | Description |
|---|---|
| Select | Used to choose which columns you want to see in the download. |
| From | Used to choose the main table of your Report. |
| Join | Used to join other tables to your main table. This provides a list of joins available based on the columns in the Report. |
| Where | Used to filter the data with hard coded values or parameters which appear during download. |
| Group By | Used to set the sort order using selected columns and used to group data when the Design layout is used. |
Every Table and Report that is downloaded is tracked on the TAD Tab. The stores the SQL Statement structure, Parameters, Tab Type and other properties.
Actions can be processed against downloaded Tables and Reports using the buttons on the TAD Ribbon. Below are the core actions:
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Edit Query | Use to edit the structure (columns, joins, conditions) of the Table/Report. |
| Download | Utilize this feature to download data sets that meet certain criteria. |
| Import | Allows users to import data from their Excel spreadsheet directly into the SQL Server database. |
| Update | Use this feature to make changes to existing records in the database. |
| Delete | Enables users to remove records from the database. |
| Batch Actions | Contains the various actions that can be used on Batch Tables. |
The diagram below shows the basic workflow of TAD.
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