What Is OracleBI Spreadsheet Add-In?
OracleBI Spreadsheet Add-In makes it easy to work with Oracle OLAP data in the database with Microsoft® Excel.This ensures a single source of truth instead of spreadsheet proliferation. Wizards help you create OLAP queries. These wizards are based on BI Beans wizards, thus maintaining a consistent interface with other applications based on Bi Beans. You can navigate the data by paging and drilling directly in Excel. You can create OLAP-based calculations using a wizard, or extend the data with familiar Excel-based calculations or functions. You can create graphs and use other standard Excel-based functionality with the data.

You can connect to Oracle OLAP from within Excel, load data into the spreadsheet, and then work with the data directly in Excel. Wizards help you define simple or advanced queries, using standard business terms. No knowledge of SQL or the underlying database structure is required. The wizards are shared with other Oracle Business Intelligence applications, such as Discoverer Plus OLAP, so you will feel at home using either tool.

Use Existing Skills with OLAP Data
Once the query is defined and the data is displayed in Excel, you can use standard Excel features. You can format the data, create formulas and charts based on the data, and even create macros that interact with the data. You don't have to learn a whole new set of skills to be productive with the Spreadsheet Add-In.

Create OLAP Calculations in the Database
In addition to creating Excel formulas based on the data, you can add OLAP calculations that will run in the database. You fill out templates to create simple calculations, such as subtractions, or advanced calculations that require additional data from the database, such as percent difference of sales from last year. The database performs the calculations for you.

Sharing Spreadsheet Files
Once you are finished creating your worksheet, you can save it in a standard Excel file, and share it with other users. This way, you can provide standard or specialized reports to people that you work with. They can open the file in Excel and, if they have access to the database, connect to the database, and work with live data.

Easy Access to the Power of Oracle OLAP
Spreadsheet Add-In uniquely combines Oracle OLAP and Excel functionality, effectively leveraging existing skills and ease of use. You can immediately be productive because you can continue to use your existing skills, whether you are a beginner or an advanced Excel user.

Availability
Spreadsheet Add-In is available on the Oracle Business Intelligence Tools for Windows CD. The installer configures Excel for you. It then appears as OracleBI on Excel's menu bar.