how to import components in excel base Altium database library? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: AmitT
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2021, 06:33:39 am
content: Hello,May I know how to import components in excel base Altium database library?I created Excel DBLIB but can't able to import parts directly in dblib.AmitT

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2021, 06:16:33 pm
content: Import from where? Are you trying to add parts to the excel file you are using for the dblib? Or are you trying to use the dblib in altium?

author: AmitT
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2021, 04:04:04 am
content: I am trying to use the Excel-based dblib in Altium?I used Access-based DBLIB in our company. In that, I can directly import parts in Access dblib in Altium but in excel dblib I can not able to do that.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2021, 09:22:21 pm
content: There's not nearly enough information here to know what the problem might be. Are you trying to add a part form the dblib to a schematic? What happens when you try? How have you configured the dblib? Does the excel file already have parts entered? Are the paths to your footprints and schematic symbols correct?

author: AmitT
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 22, 2021, 04:10:35 am
content: Are you trying to add apart from the dblib to a schematic? – NoHave you configured the dblib? YesDoes the excel file already have parts entered? No. That’s what I want to do. Import components from Manufacture Part search with parameter in dblib.Are the paths to your footprints and schematic symbols correct? YesIs there any video link to show the detailed procedure of how to import components in the excel base Altium database library? or making an excel base database library in Altium?

author: AmitT
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2021, 04:15:55 am
content: It's not related to excel based database library.

author: E-Design
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2021, 11:39:46 am
content: Quote from: AmitT on March 29, 2021, 04:15:55 amWell, I was able to use this video example / guide to establish my own Excel database successfully. I also read the documentation where I could find it. I also experimented.

author: AmitT
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2021, 03:54:26 am
content: Quote from: E-Design on March 29, 2021, 11:39:46 amEstablish of EXCEL database is not a concern (In my first post I was already told), my concern is regarding importing components in that excel database file.

author: Batang
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2021, 05:33:21 am
content: "my concern is regarding importing components in that excel database file"You must have list you want to import, what file format is this list?A lot more info will get you a better response.Anyways the below link may be of some use.https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/import-or-export-text-txt-or-csv-files-5250ac4c-663c-47ce-937b-339e391393baPS. Why why why Excel

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2021, 01:56:31 pm
content: QuoteI don't think you can. If you have an existing component in Altium .*lib and wish to copy that to the Excel sheet just as you would to another .*lib, I am pretty sure you can't. You need to manually add the row yourself, filling the cells with the appropriate data (or import into Excel, probably via CSV).With a DBLIB you can use Altium to edit the table rows. However, I don't think you can copy a component into the database like that, and Excel is somewhat different to a database so you probably can't edit an Excel lib like that in the first place.

author: AmitT
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2021, 05:16:44 am
content: Quote from: dunkemhigh on March 30, 2021, 01:56:31 pmIt means I need to add all components with their parameter manually in Excel & then it needs to use as an EXCEL DBLIB ??I was already using Access DBLIB in my company, where I directly import components with their parameter in ALTIUM ACCESS DBLIB, but there is also an issue"Record too Large"which is already mentioned in a separate topic. Below link for your reference.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/altium/altium-access-dblib-import-issue/

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2021, 05:32:43 pm
content: You keep saying "import" but it's not clear what that actually means here. It could mean many different things, so I think people here aren't clear on what you are trying to do exactly.Can you describe in detail the steps you are taking, what you expect to happen, and what you are seeing happen?I don't think you can directly import data from the manufacturer part search into the database for the dblib. It looks like you can use the part search to add parameters or supplier links to an existing part, but that's it. I haven't played with that before so I don't know about any issues with that function.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2021, 07:11:50 pm
content: QuoteThat's my take on it, yes. The default setting for Excel via ODBC is read-only, which is no doubt why you can read stuff but can't update. Access is read/write.QuoteDon't know, sorry - I am not a database guru. Even if I were, as ajb point outs, without better details of what you're trying to do, and with what, we're essentially answering questions you're probably not asking.

author: Gribo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2021, 08:03:29 pm
content: You should look into importing the data from Access directly to Excel, without Altium in the middle. Probably manually using copy/paste or SQL query within Excel.

author: AmitT
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2021, 04:41:15 am
content: Quote from: ajb on March 31, 2021, 05:32:43 pmBasically, I want to know all types of database library methods to manage libraries. I am using Microsoft Access-based DBLIB in my company. I create My SQL-based DBLIB as per Robert Feranec's video.Can you describe in detail the steps you are taking, what you expect to happen, and what you are seeing happen?- How to add a new component with their parameter in Excel dblib.I don't think you can directly import data from the manufacturer part search into the database for the dblib.- It is possible in Access-based dblib. Please check the video ( After 27min) of Robert Feranec for the Database library.Quote from: dunkemhigh on March 31, 2021, 07:11:50 pmAs per the above reply, I need to add all components with their parameter manually in Excel & then it needs to use as an EXCEL DBLIB

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2021, 07:01:51 am
content: QuoteSorry, but I'm not following what you're asking there? Are you asking how to set up Excel as DBLIB? Or that you have it set up but can't auto-add, or is this a statement of what you've done?In case it's the read-only thing, apparently your connection string needs to have "READONLY=FALSE" added to it for Excel.As a general point, it is no use showing us Robert's videos. It clearly works for him, and I expect that if we could be bothered enough to go through all those steps it would work for us. The problem is that it's not workingfor youand we need to know whatyouare doing, and how, in order to spot the cause of the problem.Think about it: you say you have a problem so we simply post a link to Robert's video and say there's your fix. Not getting anywhere, right? So show us, or tell us, the steps that you make to replicate the problem.

author: AmitT
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2021, 09:13:26 am
content: Quote from: dunkemhigh on April 01, 2021, 07:01:51 amMy reply is for ajb, only to show how I was imported components from the manufacture part search in Access dblib.Quote from: dunkemhigh on April 01, 2021, 07:01:51 amI use an excel file with a basic column heading such as Part Number, Lib Ref, Footprint ref, type, comment & so on. I created dblib with database type Microsoft Excel & give the path of excel file.Now my question is How to add a new component with their parameter in Excel dblib.

author: Gribo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2021, 01:55:47 pm
content: https://www.bing.com/search?q=importing+data+from+access+to+excel&cvid=abd878b9ba65406b8b7d11a1a05ec457&aqs=edge.0.0l2.8016j0j4&FORM=ANAB01&PC=U531If your query is too large, try limiting the number of columns and the number of records.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2021, 03:58:39 pm
content: Quote from: AmitT on April 01, 2021, 04:41:15 amYou haven't actually answered these questions. So you're trying to follow that video, great. What happens when you try? Where do you get stuck?In this case it seems like the problem may actually be that Altium can't write to an Excel file via the database link as dunkemhigh says, so you may not be able to do what you want without switching to access or something else.I didn't know you could use the manufacturer part search to import components like that--I've had the same DBLib since before they added that part search and have been managing it manually ever since. It looks like a cool feature but holy shit I do NOT want it to add all ten thousand parameters that all of those suppliers have to my database! It looks like you can filter/translate parameters in the Parts Providers section of settings but it looks like it might be a huge pain. Being able to add just a supplier link to an existing part would be great but I get no right click options on the supplier part numbers. Maybe it's worth spending some time to play with it later but after previous experiences with Altium I'm not immediately confident that it's going to work as well as they make it look.

author: AmitT
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2021, 08:45:35 am
content: Quote from: ajb on April 01, 2021, 03:58:39 pmI use an excel file with a basic column heading such as Part Number, Lib Ref, Footprint ref, type, comment & so on. I created dblib with database type Microsoft Excel & give the path of excel file.Now my question is How to add a new component with their parameter in Excel File/Excel dblib.Quote from: ajb on April 01, 2021, 03:58:39 pmIt's working for me to create SQL-based dblib as per video without any issue. I create this dblib only for my curiosity purpose.

author: PlainName
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 02, 2021, 12:29:34 pm
content: QuoteDid you try with the "READONLY=FALSE" parameter in the connection string, as mentioned earlier?