How to Create a Hub with XLhub

Overview

This guide describes how to create a hub. A hub integrates your Excel spreadsheet to the database.

Audience

Users of XLhub who will be retrieving or saving data, or creating hubs

Flow of Events

1. Define a Table

Before using XLhub, you need to transform your data into a table:

  1. Open the Excel sheet with the data you want to hub.
  2. Select the data you wish to create into a table. Be sure to include the column headers in your selection, as shown.
  3. Once selected, click the Insert tab and, in the Tables section of the ribbon, click Table. Alternatively, press CTRL+T as a shortcut.

    A dialogue will appear. Be sure that the check box “My table has headers” is checked.

    Click OK.

  4. Your data should now be formatted as a table, and look something like this.
  5. Name your table by clicking on Table Tools at the top of your page while your table is selected, and then entering your name in the field in the upper left corner (in the Properties section of the ribbon).

NOTE: Use a descriptive name for your table. The name you choose is how your table will appear in the database and so a more descriptive name can prevent confusion and errors later on.

2. Start Wizard

You are now ready to start the XLhub wizard.

  1. Click the XLhub tab at the top of your screen.
  2. Make sure at least one cell in your table is selected. Then, in the Admin section of the ribbon, click the Table Management icon and select Create New Hub.

3. Name the Version

  1. An initial dialogue box will appear. Provide a name, and if necessary, a description and owner. Then click OK. This will be your hub name.

    NOTE: Be sure not to give the hub the same name as any of your past hubs with XLhub.

  2. Once you click ok, provide appropriate credentials and server information in the database connection box. Then click OK

4. Set Column Type

  1. A window will appear with a bar that displays XLhub’s progress in green. Depending on the size of your table, it may take a few minutes to complete.
  2. Once complete, you will see that the window has been populated with information about XLhub’s assumptions for each column in your table.

Note: From the window (shown in the previous image) you can change XLhub’s assumptions about the data in your table columns. For example, you can:

  • Select a different data type from a drop down list
  • Adjust the maximum length for each entry
  • Choose whether the cell will allow formulas

Once you are satisfied with the settings for the columns of your table, click OK.

You should see a window pop-up that says the process is complete.

5. Save Your Data

  1. Be sure to save your Excel file. Then, re-open your table in Excel.
  2. When you reopen your file, there will be a new hub with the hub name you chose in the XLhub ribbon.

Congratulations!

You have successfully hubbed a table with XLhub!

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