Excel as front-end for Access or MYSQL

**mbcebrian** · 07-29-2011, 11:33 AM

Hi ,

I would like to ask how can i link excel to ms access or mysql. i searched but i didn't really find a clear tutorial on how to do this one. Im hoping someone can help me with this here.

Also i would like to know the following:

1. Pros and cons for having access/mysql as backend of excel.

2. Can i update the access/mysql database through excel or is excel for viewing only.

If you have links for tutorials or sample file or project that i could work on to, that would be appreciated much. Thanks. God bless!

**moleyboy** · 07-29-2011, 09:44 PM

Hi,

You can open an access table or query in excel via the data tab.

If you want to query a mysql database in excel you will need to look at using microsoft query which is an option under the data menus, this can read via an ODBC connection, so you will need to install a mysql ODBC driver (link below) and set up an ODBC connection. You could also use this tool to query an access database.

Both of the options will be read only.

http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/connector/odbc/

**mbcebrian** · 08-10-2011, 03:43 AM

@moleyboy

Thanks for you reply. Im thinking of using microsoft access as backend. I cant install mysql in our office. I just want to ask , given that excel is already the front end of access. is it possible to edit/update the data in excel and it will be automatically(or not) saved in access?

**enijhuis** · 02-07-2013, 04:32 PM

I've created an Excel add-in just for this purpose:
If you want to make use of Excel as a frontend for databases like MS Access (or SQL Server) you may want to check it out:
http://www.redcirclesoftware.com/connexa-xs/

Cheers,