In “Running a SQL Stored Procedure from Excel“, I showed you how to fire a simple SQL Stored Procedure that returns a simple dataset. In “Running a SQL Stored Procedure from Excel with Dynamic Parameters“, I showed you how to pass parameters to a SQL Stored Procedure so you can filter the returned dataset.

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In both of those examples, the common denominator is that the Stored Procedure can only contain a select statement. For example, ‘Select * from Market Sales‘.

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But in some cases, your Stored Procedures may need to contain advanced functionality such as; creating temp tables, deleting data, updating data, etc. In these cases, you can’t simply fire the Stored Procedure from Excel. You’ll need to adjust the Procedure so that the results will return to Excel.

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The Cause of the Problem

When you create a new Stored Procedure in SQL Server, you will automatically get a line that reads SET NOCOUNT ON. This one line of code, put at the top of a stored procedure turns off the messages that SQL Server sends back to the client after each T-SQL statement is executed. This is intended to improve performance by suppressing unnecessary messages to the client.

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However, this will also suppress the returning of data to Excel, because SET NOCOUNT ON tells SQL Server that there is no need for this information to be passed back to the client.

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The Fix

In this example, procedure, I’m creating two Temp tables in the procedure then creating a select statement which returns data from the two created tables. In order to be able to return the data to Excel with this Stored Procedure, I will need to add a line at the end of the Procedure that reads SET NOCOUNT OFF.

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By wrapping your Stored Procedures with SET NOCOUNT ON … SET NOCOUNT OFF, you can fire all kinds of Stored Procedures from Excel:

• Stored Procedures that create and use Temp Tables
• Stored Procedures that contain Delete and Update Statements
• Stored Procedures that contain Truncate and Insert Statements

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In short, you can use this trick in conjunction with the other tricks you learned (in the other articles mentioned above) to trigger virtually any SQL Stored Procedure directly from Excel!

If you put your cursor in the Values/Data area of a Pivot Table, you can Go to the Home Tab and select Insert->Insert Calculated Field.

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If you put your cursor in the Row or Column area of a Pivot Table, you can Go to the Home Tab and select Insert->Insert Calculated Item.

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Ok…I know you’re thinking that this is no big deal. I felt the same way when I first noticed it. I thought it was simply interesting that it was there – nothing more. But I have to say that I use it all the time now that I know it’s there.

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I think it’s because even if I’m working with a Pivot Table, I’m usually on the Home tab. It’s easier for me go to Insert ->Insert Calculated Field rather the alternative; switch to the PivotTable Tools contextual tab, click on Options, and find the calculated field/item options in the Calculations group.

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For you hot-key fans out there, I know there is a hot key that I could use.

I hate taking my hand off the mouse; I avoid it wherever I can. Other than Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V, I don’t do hot keys. Unless I’m stuck with a Darth Vader Mouse.

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This macro iterates through the sheets in the workbook, comparing the tab color index of current sheet to that of the previous one. If the previous sheet has the same color index number as the current sheet, then we move the current sheet before it.

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By the time all the iterations are done, all sheets are grouped together based on their tab colors.

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You won't use this macro every day, but it is one of those macros you can keep around for special occasions.

Like a fine bottle of wine, or bean dip.

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Why do I like live training events? Well, I spend all day in a chair (not moving my ass an inch to the left or right for hours). And although I do interact with the Excel community online, it's not the same as being in the same room, interacting in person. Here are some of the benefits I see each time I put on a live training event.

• Lots of new Techniques being taught by expert instructors.
• Meet and network with other analysts.
• Plenty of ideas bounced around about new ways of doing things.
• Walk away with free books and working examples.
• Lots of food, drink, and nerdy fun.

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It just so happens that we have an upcoming event!

We, Dick Kusleika (Daily Dose of Excel) and I (DataPig Technologies), will be hosting our Excel Power Analyst BootCamp in Omaha on May 22nd and 23rd.

This two-day boot camp is designed for Excel Power Analysts who are looking to more effectively build and manage better data reporting mechanisms. During this workshop, you'll be introduced to a wide array of tips and techniques that will muscle up your skills in Data Crunching, Reporting, and Automation.

Going beyond simple Excel tricks, you will learn to:

• Gain efficiencies with powerful data crunching and spreadsheet auditing tips
• Go beyond basic analysis with advanced PivotTables techniques
• Create powerful dashboards with interactive data modeling methods
• Integrate Excel with external data sources (SQL Server, Access, SharePoint)
• Introduce powerful new BI capabilities with Power Pivot for Excel 2010
• Implement macro-charged reporting with VBA

Sign up before May 1^st and save $200 off registration!

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But Mike, I don't live in the United States!

If you're and international Excel Expert, you should check out Chandoo's Live Events May – June.

He's hosting a series of events on Advanced Dashboards in Excel throughout Australia.

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"This 2 day MasterClass is aimed at managers, analysts, reporting professionals, executives in sales, marketing, customer service or anyone who wants to learn about Excel Dashboards."

Some of the topics you will learn in Chandoo's MasterClass:

• Excel formulas for dashboards
• Applying advanced conditional formatting for dashboards
• Selecting right charts for any situation
• Excel 2010 – sparklines, slicers
• Customizing Excel charts

Visit Chandoo.org to get more details.

1. Delete them one by one
2. Have the Temp for Hire delete them one by one
3. Go into the bathroom stall and play Angry Birds for 30 minutes

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I'll show you what I do when this happens to me.

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Let's say I copy some directions from MapQuest into an Excel file. As you can see, their douchey icons get copied along with the data.

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If I try to delete the columns that hold the icons, the icons remain untouched. What sort of Witchery is this!?

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So instead of doing that, I simply click Home tab->Find and Select->Go To Special.

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This takes me to the Go To Special dialog box where I select the Objects option.

Note the expertly placed red circle made to look like its jumping off the screen.

This is 3D blogging at its best.

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Once you press the OK button, all the icons will be selected.

All you have to do is hit the delete button.

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Alternative (unnecessarily more convoluted) method

Click on any of the icons

Click on the Picture Tools Format tab

Click the Selection Pane command button

Click anywhere inside the Selection Pane then press Ctrl+A

Press Delete