Getting Started with Data Bridge Pro

Get up and running in 5 minutes. This guide walks you through installation, your first database connection, and making your first edit.

Prerequisites

Before you begin, make sure you have:

  • Windows 10 or later
  • Microsoft Excel (2016, 2019, 2021, or Microsoft 365)
  • Database access credentials (server name, username, password, or Windows authentication)
  • Network connectivity to your database server

No admin rights required

Data Bridge Pro can be installed without administrator privileges using our registry-based installer. Perfect for corporate environments.

Step 1: Installation

1

Download the Installer

Download Data Bridge Pro from your account dashboard or the email you received after purchase.

2

Run the Installer

Double-click DataBridgePro-Setup.exe and follow the prompts. The installer will:

  • Install the Excel add-in
  • Register the add-in with Excel
  • Add the Data Bridge Pro ribbon tab
3

Restart Excel

Close and reopen Excel. You should see a new "Data Bridge" tab in the ribbon.

Installation complete!

If you see the Data Bridge tab in Excel, you're ready to connect to your first database.

Step 2: Your First Connection

1

Open the Connection Dialog

Click Data Bridge tab → Connect button.

2

Select Your Database Type

Choose from the dropdown: SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Snowflake, Oracle, etc.

3

Enter Connection Details

Fill in your server name, database name, and authentication:

  • Windows Authentication: Uses your Windows login (recommended for SQL Server)
  • SQL Authentication: Enter username and password
4

Test & Connect

Click Test Connection to verify, then Connect to proceed.

Save as Favorite

Check "Save as Favorite" to quickly reconnect next time without re-entering details.

Step 3: Loading a Table

Once connected, you'll see a list of available tables:

1

Select a Table

Click on any table in the list to select it. You can search by typing in the filter box.

2

Load to Excel

Click Load Table. The data will appear in a new Excel worksheet as a formatted table.

Data Bridge Pro automatically:

  • Formats dates, numbers, and currencies
  • Handles NULL values
  • Sets appropriate column widths
  • Creates an Excel Table for easy filtering and sorting

Step 4: Making Edits

Now for the fun part—editing data just like a normal spreadsheet:

  • Edit cells: Click any cell and type a new value
  • Add rows: Type in the first empty row below the table
  • Delete rows: Select rows and right-click → Delete
  • Copy/paste: Works exactly like normal Excel

As you make changes, Data Bridge Pro tracks everything in the background. Changed cells are highlighted so you can see what's been modified.

Changes are not saved automatically

Your edits stay in Excel until you explicitly save them back to the database. This gives you a chance to review before committing.

Step 5: Saving Changes

1

Preview Changes

Click Data Bridge tab → Save Changes. You'll see a summary of all inserts, updates, and deletes.

2

Review the Preview

Check that everything looks correct. You can expand each change to see before/after values.

3

Confirm & Save

Click Save to Database. Data Bridge Pro will:

  • Create a rollback snapshot (in case you need to undo)
  • Validate all data against database constraints
  • Execute changes in a transaction
  • Log the operation in the audit trail

Congratulations!

You've just edited a database table directly from Excel. No SQL required!

Next Steps

Now that you've mastered the basics, explore these features: