In SQL how do I update a table with a similar table? - sql

In my current Database I have a table whose data is manually entered or comes in an excel sheet every week. Before we had the "manual entry option", the table would be dropped and replaced by the excel version.
Now because there is data that only exists in the original table this can not be done.
I'm trying to find a way to update the original table with changes and additions from the (excel) table while preserving all rows not in the new sheet.
I've been attempting to simply use an insert query and an update query /but/ I can't find a way to detect changes in a record.
Any suggestions? I can provide the current sql if you'd find that helpful.

Based on what I have read so far, I think I can offer some suggestions:
It appears you have control of the MS Access. I would suggest adding a field to your data table called "source". Modify your form in the access database to store something like "m" for manual entry in the source field. When you import the excel, store an "e" for excel in the field.
You would need to do a one time scrub of the data to mark existing records as manual entries or excel entries. There are a couple of ways you can do it through automation/queries that I can explain in detail if you want.
Once past these steps, your excel process is fairly simple. You can delete all records with source = "e" and then do a full excel import. Manual records would remain unchanged.
This concept will allow you to add new sources and codes and allow you to handle each differently if needed. You just need to spend some time cleaning up your old data. I think you will find it worth it in the end.
Good Luck.

Related

Microsoft Access Table Shows Up Blank, But Query Correctly Pulls Data From Table

I am having an issue with my Microsoft Access database. One of my tables looks completely blank, but it has 11632 records listed in the bottom. Take a look at this screenshot. Though the table shows up blank, when I run the query it pulls the correct data from this table, so I know the data is there, it is just not appearing for some reason. I have tried on Access 2013 and 2016 on a different computer, and both have the same effect. I have also tried compacting and repairing, and also exporting the table but the file it exports to also appears blank, aside from the field names. Any ideas on what I could try?
Thanks!
Turn your import into a 2 step process (or more...). Write it raw into a scratch pad table. Then fire an append query, that has the appropriate criteria to result in only valid records going into the final table.
This isn't unusual at all given that some outside data sources may not have the controls to prevent bad records. Sometimes one must "wash" the data with several different query criteria/steps in order to filter out the bad guys.

Filter certain SQL data formatted in one column into a new column

Before I begin I found this to be most relevant with the research I have done.
How to split the data from one column into separate columns using the contents of another column in SQL
Attached are pictures of my progress so far. How can I display this information such as it is shown in the excel file without disrupting the GROUP BY filter in my Query?
It's a Fishbowl Database, newest version. I am running the queries through Flamerobin which you see in the picture. Trying to organize the query to display correctly so I can format it into 'iReports' and export it into an excel spreadsheet like the one shown. Maybe there is some part of this that would better be done in excel?
Notice the numbers for Qty are different, that's ok right now.
My reputation is too low to post pictures I am sorry. Here are the two JPGs in my Dropbox. I really appreciate the help.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/r2rw5r2awsyvzs9/AAAXXg27CMPOYtZFqPX3Dx6la?dl=0

SSIS Check Excel source rows redirect rows to another table on 'x' number of field matches

I work in a sales based environment and our data consists of 'leads'.
Let's say we record CompanyName, PhoneNumber, Address1 & PostCode(ZIP). These rows a seeded with a unique ID in the schema.
The leads come in from various sources and are compiled onto a spread sheet and then imported into SQL 2012 using SSIS.
After a validation check to see if a file exists we then use a simple data flow which consists of an Excel source, Derived Column, Data Conversion and finally an OLE DB Destination.
My requirement I'm sure has a relatively simple solution. I understand what I need to achieve is the first step. I need to take a sample of data from the last rolling two months, if 2 or more fields in the source excel file match the corresponding field in the destination sql table then I want to redirect to another table.
I am unsure of which combination of components I could use to achieve this. I believe that Fuzzy lookup may not be what I am looking for as I am looking to find exact field matches, I have looked at the lookup component but I am unsure if this is the way to go.
Could anyone please provide some advice on how I can best achieve this as simply as possible.
You can use the Lookup to check for matches in your existing table. However, it will be fairly complicated to implement the requirement of checking for any two or more fields matching. Your expression would be long and complex basically consisting of:
(using pseudo code for readability)
IIF((a=a AND b=b) OR (a=a AND c=c) OR (b=b AND c=c) OR ...and so on
for every combination of two columns you want to test
I would do this by importing the entire spreadsheet to a staging table, and doing the existing rows check in a SQL stored proc that moves the data to the desired destination table.

Updating information in an Access table linked to SharePoint

I have a table in Access linked to a SharePoint list. The table is comprised of about 15 fields whose contents are originally pulled from another data source (in Excel format). There are an additional 10 or so fields after the original 15 that make up a questionnaire (added via SharePoint) that contain answers to questions about the first 15 fields.
The data in the first 15 fields needs to be updated periodically when new data from my external source is available to download. A lot of the information will remain the same, however some of the fields within each of the rows will change and need to be updated. It is also important that the 10 fields that contain the questionnaire are not modified at all during this process.
Is there a way for me to easily update the cells that have changed using an Update query or something similar? The data does have a unique identifier column (ID NUMBER) that is present on the current SharePoint list and the external data source.
I was thinking from a logical standpoint to put the new external data into a table, find the ID Number in the SP list and new external data, compare the values in the rest of the row on the SP list to the row of the external data, and if a value is different update the cell with the value from the external data. Not sure how to accomplish this using Access queries though.
I really appreciate any help at all! If you need more information, please let me know. If you think there's a more logical way to do this, please let me know your feedback!!
Here's how to get started:
http://workerthread.wordpress.com/2009/02/03/using-access-2007-to-update-sharepoint-lists/
After you get the connection set up, it's just a matter of writing the queries correctly. If you need to run multiple queries periodically, you can setup a form with buttons, and attach some VBA code to the buttons that runs the queries.
MS Access - execute a saved query by name in VBA

Querying Data Using Existing Spreadsheet

I have a spreadsheet that lists customers, their supervisor information, and special feature codes that are listed on their account at the time the report was created.
I need to add a column to this sheet that lists the last active date that these codes were populated on the customer account.
I'm aware of how pull the info when the features were last active. However, I need to base my query based on these specific accounts and codes. What family of SQL Clauses can I use to read these preexisting values and return a corresponding date value?
Your question is a bit ambiguous. How are you populating the spreadsheet? Are you using an ETL application like SSIS or creating an Excel output from a SQL query in your database?
If you are populating an existing Excel spreadsheet, then create in that spreadsheet a new column called "Last Active Date" in preparation for populating it from the source.
If you are pulling the data from a database source, then there may be an associated history or archive table where you can find the pre-existing codes along with their corresponding dates. Here your database administrator and/or developer will be better equiped to assist you in navigating the database architecture. If the codes are no longer available in the source database, then no special SQL CLAUSE will assist. You cannot retrieve that which does not exist.