Freeware Excel Add-In simplifies data retrieval from SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase, MY SQL and any other ODBC compliant databases.

Pros: This is a plug-in for Excel that can retrieve data from SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase, MY SQL, MS Access, FireBird / Interbase, DB2 and such other ODBC compliant database. Data retrieval is fast. The add-in is for running data retrieval queries (SELECTS) and is not for running action queries CREATES, INSERTS, DELETES, UPDATES and so on. Typical workflow would be to import data from these databases and then use the features of Excel to analyze the data closely. Small Add-in Size - has small disk and memory footprint. The core DLL of the add-in is around 300k. It wont bog down the Excel like add-ins can do sometimes. Add-in user interface is implemented via a small toolbar which will be added to Excel. The toolbar wont take up too much space in Excel and you can move it to where you want it. A new feature in this release is the Connection Profile combobox. It is possible now to select a connection directly from the toolbar and hit the "SQL" button and you will connect to the database and view the available selectable objects in the main SQL Excel Form. If you hit the "SQL" button with the default entry "SQL Excel Toolbar" you will load the main Form without any connection being opened - use this when you want to set up some new or manage existing connection profiles. It is easy to build complex queries using the visual interface. SQL Excel implements two ways query building so you can (i) build queries visually by dragging/clicking and (ii) build queries by manually typing in the SELECT statement. The main form of the add-in incorporates a lot of functionality but is still easy to use. Works with Excel XP, 2003 and 2007.

Cons: Caution about version 1.0 comes to mind and with ODBC compliance being a possible source of trouble, one need to be a bit watchful.

Overall this is certainly a 4 star application.