CData ADO.NET Provider for Microsoft SharePoint Excel
Overview
The CData ADO.NET Provider for Microsoft SharePoint Excel offers the most natural way to access Excel Services data from .NET applications. The provider wraps the complexity of accessing Excel Services data in an easy-to-integrate, fully managed ADO.NET Data Provider. .NET applications can then access Excel Services as a traditional database through the provider.
The provider hides the complexity of accessing data and provides additional powerful security features, smart caching, batching, socket management, and more.
Key Features
- Seamlessly integrate Excel Services data into .NET Framework, .NET Core, Entity Framework, and Entity Framework Core applications.
- Real-time access to Excel Services.
- Compatible with existing Microsoft tools such as SSAS, SSRS, and Visual Studio.
Getting Started
See Getting Started for A-Z guides on authenticating and connecting to Excel Services data. See the Excel Services integration guides for information on connecting from other applications.
Using ADO.NET
The provider has the same ADO.NET architecture as the native .NET data providers for SQL Server and OLEDB. Code with familiar classes such as Microsoft SharePoint ExcelConnection, Microsoft SharePoint ExcelCommand, Microsoft SharePoint ExcelDataAdapter, Microsoft SharePoint ExcelDataReader, Microsoft SharePoint ExcelDataSource, Microsoft SharePoint ExcelParameter, and so on. See Using ADO.NET for guides relating to these and other ADO.NET features such as batch processing, connection pooling, and calling stored procedures.
Entity Framework
You can leverage Entity Framework to quickly and easily model database resources using .NET objects. In Using Entity Framework, you can find instructions related to EF6 setup and installation, as well as the creation of both model-first and code-first data models.
Entity Framework Core
Entity Framework Core provides a streamlined, cross-platform solution for modelling database resources as .NET objects. Using Entity Framework Core covers how to surface Excel Services data using EF Core console and ASP.NET applications. Additionally, you can find instructions for automatically building data models from data source metadata using reverse engineering (scaffolding).
SSRS
You can use the provider to enable real-time connectivity to Excel Services within your SSRS reports. Using SSRS details provider deploy, the creation of shared and embedded data sources and datasets, and the publishing of SSRS reports.
DbProviderFactory
The provider supports the creation of strongly typed DbProviderFactory and DBConnection objects in order to facilitate connecting to Excel Services with generic code. Using DbProviderFactory describes how to get connected as well as create, configure, and execute DbCommands.
Schema Discovery
See Schema Discovery to use standard ADO.NET schema collections to discover schema information and other metadata. Query the System Tables to access additional metadata, such as data source capabilities.
Advanced Features
Advanced Features details additional features supported by the provider, such as defining user defined views, ssl configuration, remoting, caching, firewall/proxy settings, and advanced logging.
SQL Compliance
See SQL Compliance for a syntax reference and code examples outlining the supported SQL.
Data Model
See Data Model for information on the available database objects and how to use SQL to work with Excel Services APIs. This section provides more detailed information on querying specific Excel Services entities.
Connection String Options
The Connection properties describe the various options that can be used to establish a connection.