Of late, the most frequently asked question we have been receiving about QlikView is how to import Excel data. So I put together a quick How-To.  The process, like most QlikView functions, is very simple but the starting point could be better labeled. Once QlikView is able to read your data its wizard makes it possible to quickly format, re-shape and modify it to suit your analysis needs.  I would venture to say that the process is easier than importing data into Excel. 

Hit Read On for full instructions

Setup QlikView
Start from a blank QlikView Project by clicking on the new icon:

Results in a screen like this:

Start by editing the script. To do this select File->Edit Script or use ctrl-E:

The Script creation window is displayed:

Importing Excel

Excel data is imported using the options wrapped in the “Data from Files” area. It is normally best to use the Wizard initially then, if more customization or control is needed, try the import manually by de-selecting the Wizard checkbox.

NOTE: It is best to not have Excel running while importing Excel data using QlikView.

Click “Table Files” and browse to the location of where your Excel data is located.

Once loaded QlikView will display a configuration window with the Excel data displayed (shown at right).

Select your worksheet. In QlikView your spreadsheet worksheets are called Tables so any existing worksheets will be options in the Table drop down.

1. (Optional) If you need to add in some data formatting or cleansing steps you can use the “Transform” button to manipulate QlikView’s version of the Excel data and create new columns, delete un-needed data or change the structure of the worksheet.

Click Next. QlikView provides functions for filtering data (Where… button), viewing QlickViews Script (Script…. Button) or creating a “Crosstable” (Crosstable…..). Crosstables are a QlikView feature to help relate data.

When you are done adjusting any filters or crosstables click “Finish”. Qlikview processes your information and populates the Script window with the proper script data.

To test the script you can either click “Debug” or “Reload”. Debug allows you to “step-through” each line of the script as it executes. Reload will load the complete Excel document into QlikView. A successful Reload will look like this:

 After the Reload executes you will be prompted with a window titled “Sheet Properties”. The Sheet Properties window allows you to add some basic list box components to your Sheet. A Sheet in QlikView is the tabbed area where you can add analysis components.

1. The Sheet, after clicking OK on the sheet Properties to the right, should look like a series of list boxes as shown below. 

    

    

    

    

    

    

2. To see QlikView’s structure of your data you can use ctrl-T to bring up the Table Viewer.

Figure 1 QlikView Table Viewer

Now your Excel data is included in your QlikView project and you can add in any components you like to help you analyze the data or develop custom reports/dashboards/KPI measurements.