Chapter 7. Table Format Wizard

Chapter 7. Table Format Wizard

We have formatted the table in the previous steps in the payments.xlsx workbook.

If a user connects to a database from a new workbook like Nick in Chapter 4, he has Excel defaults.

We can fix this publishing table formats and table views to a database using Table Format Wizard.

Saving Formats

Start Table Format Wizard:

Table Format Wizard

In the wizard, select a table and click the Save in Database button:

Table Format Wizard Dialog Box

The wizard saves the table format and changes its state:

Save the table format of an Excel table

Now, users will get the same formats, views, and formulas of the tables when they connect to a database.

Use the wizard to republish new views later.

Restoring Formats

Users may use the Restore from Database button to reload the updated formats and views.

For example, let's switch to Nick's workbook and run Table Format Wizard.

Nick may see that dbo69.Payments table has a format in a database:

Restore the table format of an Excel table

Select the desired table and click the Restore from Database button. Then close the wizard.

 

Now, the table in Nick's workbook has the same format and table views as in Alex's workbook:

Table formats includes tables views. So, share them with your team

 

 

Once again, you may use this wizard to save and restore formats, formulas, and table views.

This feature allows sharing best features when every team member uses personal workbooks.

 

The Table Format Wizard saves formats in the TableFormats table in a database.

We have created this table using the SQL code provided in the Configuring Database chapter.