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AQT can be used to access Excel files, which gives you an alternate way to read Excel data. With a "database-style" interface into Excel, you can build searches, sorts and summaries in way that (arguably) is easier than in Excel.
For more on the use of Excel with AQT, see Database Notes - Excel.
No software is needed in order to access an Excel file (xls file). You access the Excel file using the Microsoft ODBC Driver for Excel; this is present in the standard Windows install.
You do not need Microsoft Excel on your machine in order to access an Excel files with AQT.
You have three methods of signing accessing an Excel file:
The first method is useful if you are accessing a particular Excel file on a frequent basis.
This sets up a datasource which you can use for accessing any Excel file.
The general procedure for this is descibed in Configuring a Database Connection.
Once you have done this, the ODBC Datasource name for your Excel file will appear in the list of databases in the AQT signon window (make sure you have select Show All (not Show Recent)).
To set this up, follow the steps in the previous section, however do not select a workbook (leave this blank). It is recommended that you give this Datasource a name such as Excel Files.
To use this generic datasource:
To do this, right-click the xls file, select Open With > Choose Program. Click on Browse to select AQT. You can check Always use the selected program to open this kind of file if you want to always open xls files with AQT.
By default, when you set up an Excel datasource, it will be in read-only mode. You will not be able to update any of the Excel data. If you wish to update your data, you need to switch off the Read Only flag when you configure the datasource. This is done by clicking on Options and de-selecting Read Only.
When you use the Open the xls file with AQT method of connecting, the connection will be in non readonly mode (so you can update data).