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 for Microsoft 365, 2021 or 2019 (desktop app)
- Database access credentials (server name, username, password, or Windows authentication)
- Network connectivity to your database server
Check the prerequisites
Data Bridge Pro needs .NET Framework 4.8 and the Microsoft Visual Studio Tools for Office runtime. If either is missing, installing it can require admin rights. Our team will confirm what your environment needs during early access setup, including anything IT should approve.
Step 1: Installation
Get the Installer
During early access, our team sends you the installer and helps you set up. Self-service download comes with the public release.
Run the Installer
Double-click the installer 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
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
Open the Connection Dialog
Click Data Bridge tab → Connect button.
Select Your Database Type
Choose from the dropdown: SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Snowflake, Oracle, etc.
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
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:
Select a Table
Click on any table in the list to select it. You can search by typing in the filter box.
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 edit the data the same way you would edit any 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
Preview Changes
Click Data Bridge tab → Save Changes. You'll see a summary of all inserts, updates, and deletes.
Review the Preview
Check that everything looks correct. You can expand each change to see before/after values.
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!