Anyone who uses a web service as a data source in Excel 2007?

Question

Can I use a web service as a data source to create Excel pivot tables?

Currently, soure data for a pivot table is exported from our SQL db to a CSV file. Then the CSV file is uploaded to the worksheet. From there, a pivot table is created in one book. Clients register on the website, click on some links and generate an excel file (with data and pivot table). This is a public application, so the preference is not to connect directly to the database.

We manage the database and generate the result. We strive to simplify this process. SQL db tables and pivot tables cannot / will not change.

Answer 1

See http://www.vertex42.com/News/excel-web-query.html

What format does the “public website” use to provide data? Data file, table on web page? This problem will determine how much of the scrambling operation you will need to do.

You still need to write a web service and run it on the server. A possible alternative is to use Yahoo Pipes to make conversions for you.