Excel ODBC connection problem in Base

[Yair]

All,

I"m trying to connect an .xls file to Base using Microsoft ODBC driver.
After opening a new Base document with the ODBC connection I can't see the table.

In tests I have done with other Base documents I could have bring the sheet into Base using Paste, Open excisting database (Spreadsheet) and From Calc into Base using drag and drop.

It seems the problem is only with the ODBC connection.

The purpose of this connection is to perform a mail merge in Writer each time with a fresh data.
(as far as I kow, a mail merge in Writer can be done only when the fileds are stored in Base document).

In the attach file you can see the ODBC configuration.

I will appriciate your assistant with the ODBC issue.

Thanks in advance,
Yair

[Villeroy]

No data are stored in a "Base document". In the context of a mail merge the "Base document" is just a configuration file with some optional filters and sort orders (queries).
You can connect directly to your xls file without ODBC. Connect your file to an existing database of type "Spreadsheet".

Today's topic on file based sources: Queries on Queries when linked to a Spreadsheet

[Yair]

Thanks Villeroy.
As I understand, when Connecting the file to an existing database of type "Spreadsheet" it will not read new data entered to the spreadsheet.
This is the logic working with ODBC.

Yair

[Villeroy]

The usual spreadsheet connection reads the spreadsheet from disk when you refresh the connection. Edit and save the spreadsheet, then refresh the connection.

dBase is a far better alternative since it can be used as a fully functional relational database through Windows-ODBC. Many programs can read and write dBase tables (even Excel can).
The built-in OOo driver ("sdbc") supports write access but no relations.
You can edit the database directly in the beamer window (F4) and through input forms.

The "Bibliography" example database is a single dBase file in a database directory.
Right-click>Open Database... Edit>Database>Properties...

[Yair]

Villeroy ,

The dbase method working just fine - Thanks!!!
Yet, the end user will need to open Calc and save the file as a dbase file - I see it as a complication to the end user.
Any other advice?

Thanks,
Yair

[Villeroy]

No further advice without any idea about the actual data and how they are going to be handled. I mean, the main purpose of a database is that you keep non-redundant, non-duplicate data in a central place. I would try to move that flea circus of spreadsheets into something usable. Usable across your network by multiple users at the same time without redundancies.
A smart database server like MySQL together with a simple Base set up could help a lot. My vision: The user opens the Excel files, selects the relevant data range and drags it into the beamer window and closes the unmodified Excel file. No need to save any file format anywhere. This can work with dBase as well, but only for one local user at a time.