my email address is <a href=”mailto:mcarpent@dimeo.com”

Thank you!

Here’s some tips/gotchas on using MS Query.

1) Think about usability before making the refresh automatic. You will lock user out of Excel when it opens. It can be slow, user has no idea why (no screen info other than hourglass) and can be extremely annoying.
2) Did you know you can paste any SQL statement into MS Query instead of using the GUI build? You can do all your development interactively on AS400 & when done – paste & go. And that SQL can be ANY complexity you dream up which becomes VERY powerful!
I have 300+ line SQL’s with multiple joins, unions & CTEs in Excel 2003 running with no problem.
3) Gotcha 1…you can use /*…*/ in MS Query to doc your work. BUT (hah) you cannot START the query with a comment.
4) Gotcha 2…do not use a ; to end the statement.
5) Gotcha 3…make “WITH NC” (no commitment) the last line for all SELECT queries.

And yes TSCHMITZ – I would like to see your technique too. I make users go to the Data Menu to refresh but giving them a couple buttons is a nice touch. Please send to garylavery@aol.com. Very much appreciated.

Gary

Please send it to me too.
Appreciate.

Thanks,
Hewage

Please send it to me.
Appreciate.

Thanks,
Ali

“If somebody has some interest using this technique, send me a private message and i”ll prepare a example of both I5 and Excel side.”

my email address is mledra@rogers.com

Thank you!

ONCE THEY GET IN , IF IT NEEDS TO BE UPDATED:
CLICK DATA
CLICK TRANSFER FORM ISERIES AND SELECT THE TRANSFER TO IMPORT DATE STARTING WHERE YOU ARE POSITIONED IN THE SPREADSHEET THEN RUN IT.
OR GET OUT AND TAKE THE MENU OPTION TO RUN THE PROGRAM AGAIN

i personaly do not like automatic updates on open (MS_QUERY) because sometimes the excel file should be available when the user is not connected to the I5.

I prefer the following solution, working on request from the user :
1) the main excel sheet shows Timestamp of both Available DB from I5 and timestamp of implemented data from i5, int the following form :

Check new Update Available DB dated : 2008-02-06 13:44 Finished

Update Data Implemented DB dated : 2008-02-06 13:44

“Check New update” and “Update data” are action buttons inside excel.

“Check New update” data use a MS Query inside excel to control that :
1) I5 process is not running (if yes, update is not allowed and a pop-up message notify user to wait a bit)
2) TimeStamp of available DB is more recent than implemented one. If yes, update Timstamp of available data inside excel and visualy shows that with color.

Update data run the following process(es).
1) Clear actual data inside Excel
2) Remove Autofilters
3) Import new data
4) Synchronize Available and imported Timstamp
5) optional treament… like Pivot table regenaration…

If you put the full name of the 2 required MS Query variable inside one sheet of your excel file, you may reuse this excel file to import and make some basic B.O. application very quick.

On i5 job (assuming the data to be used in excel is generated in a batch process), the requirements are :
1)When Batch job start, flag the application with ACTIVE STATUS using Timestamp control file (will lock excel import for a while)
2) Let your update run
3) When batch stops, update the TImestamp control file and release status.

If somebody has some interest using this technique, send me a private message and i”ll prepare a example of both I5 and Excel side.

Prerequesites are ODBC link available on the machine running the excel import.

Bye.

THIS IS GREAT!

Is there a possibility to have sample code for:

1. do the transfer using STRPPCMD
2. open the spread sheet with another STRPCCMD
3. then refresh as needed with data/transfer for Iseries option .