How to Get Started with Dataslayer for Microsoft Excel

Before You Start

The Dataslayer Excel add-in lets you import marketing data from advertising, analytics, CRM and ecommerce platforms directly into Microsoft Excel. In this guide, you will learn how to install the add-in, create a query, load data into a worksheet, build reports and schedule automatic refreshes.

This Excel data integration workflow helps you replace manual copy and paste with reusable queries and automated reporting.

What You Need

Before you begin, make sure you have:

• A Dataslayer account.
• Microsoft Excel with permission to install Office add-ins.
• Access to the marketing platform and accounts you want to connect.
• The permissions required to authorize Dataslayer and access the source data.
• Excel Online through OneDrive or SharePoint if you want to schedule automatic refreshes.

Install the Dataslayer Excel Add-in

Install Dataslayer from Microsoft AppSource

1. Open Microsoft AppSource.
2. Search for Dataslayer.
3. Select the Dataslayer app and click Get it now.
   
4. Follow the Microsoft prompts to finish installing the Excel add-in.

The Dataslayer Excel add-in is installed through Microsoft AppSource and appears in Excel after the installation is complete.

Open Dataslayer in Excel

1. Open a new or existing Excel workbook.
2. Open My add-ins and select Dataslayer. Depending on your Excel version, you may also find Dataslayer in the Home or Data tab.
3. Click Launch sidebar to open the add-in.
   

If Dataslayer does not appear, refresh Excel or check that the add-in was installed with the Microsoft account you are currently using.

Choose the right Excel environment

You can use Dataslayer to build reports in Excel, but Excel Online is recommended for automated refreshes. Save the workbook in OneDrive or SharePoint so Dataslayer can synchronize the document when a scheduled refresh runs.

Workbooks saved only on your local computer may not support the same scheduling and synchronization features as Excel Online.

Import Marketing Data into Excel

Open the Dataslayer query interface

1. Open the Dataslayer sidebar from the Excel toolbar.
2. Click on the Add New Query button.
   

Select the account and authorize the data source

1. Select the data source you want to use.
2. Select the hub account and the account you want to connect.
   
3. If required, click Manage Hub Accounts to add or authorize another account
4. Authorize Dataslayer if the platform requests permission.

Configure the query

Select the data that you want to import into Excel:

1. Choose the date range.
2. Select the metrics you want to measure.
3. Select the dimensions you want to use to group the data.
4. Add filters or advanced options if needed.
   

For your first query, use one account and a short date range. After you confirm that the data is correct, you can expand the date range or add more fields.

Generate the table in Excel

1. Select the worksheet cell where you want to insert the data.
2. Review the query configuration.
3. Click Generate table.
   
4. Wait for Dataslayer to load the results into the worksheet.

Your marketing data will be inserted into Excel starting from the selected cell. You can now analyze it, format it or use it to create a report.

Manage and Customize Your Excel Data

After creating a query, you can manage it from the Dataslayer sidebar.

Available Query Actions

Depending on your needs, you can:

• Refresh the data.
• Modify the date range, dimensions or metrics.
• Add or remove filters.
• Duplicate the query.
• Review the query parameters.
• Go to the query results.
• Delete the query and its data.

Dataslayer stores query information in the hidden DataslayerQueries sheet. Do not edit or delete information in this sheet manually. For more information, see How to find the query sheet.

Build an Excel report or marketing dashboard

Once your data is in Excel, you can use native Excel tools to create reports and dashboards:

• Create a PivotTable to summarize campaign performance.
• Add filters, rows, columns and values to analyze the data.
• Insert charts to visualize metrics such as clicks, impressions, spend or conversions.
• Format the worksheet to match your reporting template.

This workflow helps you use Dataslayer as an Excel reporting tool while keeping the analysis and visualization inside Excel.

Schedule Automatic Excel Report Refreshes

You can automate Excel reports by scheduling Dataslayer to refresh selected sheets and the queries they contain at a defined frequency. Scheduled refreshes require the workbook to be stored in OneDrive or a SharePoint site.

Open the scheduling interface

1. Open the Dataslayer sidebar in Excel.
2. Click Schedule.
3. Click Register your Schedules.

Choose the Excel storage location

Excel synchronization must use a cloud storage location:

• OneDrive Personal: the default storage option in Excel.
• SharePoint: enter the SharePoint site URL and click Resolve, select the document library and click Save Storage Location.

Use Re-authorize Access if Dataslayer needs permission again to access the selected storage location.

Configure the refresh schedule

1. Choose how often the refresh should run, such as hourly, daily or weekly. Available frequencies depend on your plan.
2. Select the day and time when applicable.
3. Choose the sheets that should be refreshed.
4. Enable email notifications if you want to receive success or failure alerts.
5. Choose an export option if you want to export the refreshed data as PDF, CSV or Excel.

If you select All sheets, Dataslayer refreshes every query in the workbook, regardless of how many queries it contains. Only one export format can be selected for each schedule.

Save and manage the schedule

1. Click Save trigger to confirm the schedule.
2. Wait for the confirmation message that the scheduled update was saved successfully.
3. To delete a schedule, open the active schedules from the Schedule menu and click the trash icon.

Be careful with Delete All: confirming this option removes every schedule associated with the user account, not only the schedules in the current workbook.

Common Dataslayer Excel Issues

Dataslayer does not appear in Excel

Confirm that the add-in was installed from Microsoft AppSource and that you are signed in with the correct Microsoft account. Check My add-ins and refresh Excel before trying to open Dataslayer again.

The Dataslayer sidebar does not open

Open the Dataslayer tab or the Data tab and select Launch sidebar or Show Dataslayer. If the sidebar still does not open, refresh the workbook and verify that the add-in is enabled.

The data does not load into Excel

Check that you selected an empty output cell, that the source account is authorized and that the query contains valid metrics and dimensions. Try a shorter date range while testing the connection.

The scheduled refresh does not run

Confirm that the workbook is stored in OneDrive or SharePoint, that the storage location is authorized and that the schedule is still active. Review the selected sheets, refresh frequency and email notifications for error details.

I need a metric or dimension that is not available

The available fields depend on the API of each data source. If a field is available in the original platform but not in Dataslayer, contact support and include a screenshot of the field in the source platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Dataslayer Excel add-in?

The Dataslayer Excel add-in is a reporting tool that imports marketing data from multiple platforms into Microsoft Excel. It lets you build queries, create reports and automate data refreshes from inside your workbook.

How do I import data into Excel with Dataslayer?

Install the Excel add-in, open the Dataslayer sidebar, select a data source and account, configure the date range, metrics, dimensions and filters, select an output cell and click Generate table.

Can I use Dataslayer with Excel Online?

Yes. Excel Online is recommended when you need cloud storage, synchronization and scheduled refreshes. Save the workbook in OneDrive or SharePoint to use these features.

Can Dataslayer automate Excel reports?

Yes. Create a Dataslayer query in Excel and use the Schedule feature to refresh selected sheets automatically. You can also enable notifications or export the refreshed data.

How does Excel data refresh work with Dataslayer?

Dataslayer refreshes the queries and sheets included in your schedule. Choose the refresh frequency, selected sheets and optional notifications, then save the schedule. Excel workbooks should be stored in OneDrive or SharePoint for scheduled synchronization.

Can I connect Google Ads to Excel?

Yes, if Google Ads is available in your Dataslayer account. Select Google Ads as the data source, authorize the account, configure the query and generate the table in your Excel worksheet.

Can I create an Excel marketing dashboard with Dataslayer?

Yes. After importing your marketing data, use PivotTables, filters and charts in Excel to build a dashboard for metrics such as spend, clicks, impressions and conversions.

Where does Dataslayer store query information?

Dataslayer stores query information in the hidden DataslayerQueries sheet. Do not edit or delete this sheet manually because it contains the configuration required to manage and refresh your queries.

Start Using Dataslayer with Excel

You can now install the Dataslayer Excel add-in, import your first marketing data query, build an Excel report and schedule automatic refreshes.

For advanced workflows, explore How to schedule report refreshes, How to find the query sheet and How to find a missing metric or dimension.

 

If you still have questions, contact us through the live chat on our website or by email. We are happy to help.