Summary IconKey Takeaways

Import Excel into PostgreSQL four simple ways:

  1. ODBC Driver: Install the Postgres ODBC driver → “Get Data → From ODBC” in Excel → supply DSN & credentials → Load.
  2. CSV Export/Import: Save your sheet as CSV → configure a CSV data connection → map columns → export into Postgres.
  3. pgAdmin Import: Save as CSV → create an empty table in pgAdmin → use “Import/Export” → point to your CSV → run.
  4. Microsoft Query: In Excel’s Data tab choose “From Microsoft Query” → pick your DSN → select tables/filters → return data to worksheet.

There are a variety of methods to import Excel to PostgreSQL; some are simple, while others are more complicated, depending on the sort of data you receive and the format it is in.

In this article, you will discover four effective approaches for establishing a connection and seamlessly migrating your data from Excel to PostgreSQL.

You will learn how to use ODBC drivers, integrate Excel and PostgreSQL via CSV files, use a powerful tool like pgAdmin, and use Microsoft Query to move data from Excel to PostgreSQL easily.

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Method 1: Using ODBC Drivers to Import Excel to PostgreSQL

    Get & Transform (Power Query) can be used to set up an Excel PostgreSQL connection using ODBC. This approach presupposes you’ve installed a PostgreSQL ODBC Driver.

    Step 1: Install ODBC Drivers for PostgreSQL

    The first step in Excel to PostgreSQL data transfer is to install the “ODBC Driver.” The PostgreSQL ODBC 64-bit driver is available for download. On the machine where the Secure Agent is installed, install the PostgreSQL ODBC driver.

    Step 2: Configure the Postgres ODBC Driver in Excel

    Expand the “Get Data” drop-down box after clicking “Data” in Excel. Select “From Other Sources > From ODBC” from the drop-down menu.

    Excel to PostgreSQL: Configuring ODBC driver in excel
    Configuring ODBC driver in excel

    Step 3: Authorize Connection With PostgreSQL

    Choose your data source name in the “From ODBC dialogue (DSN).” You can expand the “Advanced Options” dialogue box and input the connection string for your data source if you haven’t yet established your ODBC Driver (without credentials, which are defined in the credentials dialogue box in the next step).

    You can also enter a SQL query that will be performed immediately after connecting to the data source. Click the “OK” button.

    Excel to PostgreSQL: Setting up the ODBC connection
    Setting up the ODBC connection

    Select the database and input your credentials in the dialog box, then click “Connect” if you’re using a database “Username” or “Password”. Select “Default” or “Custom” and connect if your database is not password-protected or if you’ve previously entered your credentials in the ODBC Data Source settings.

    Excel to PostgreSQL: Connecting to Database
    Connecting to Database

    Step 4: Load Data in Microsoft Excel

    Select the table from which you wish to retrieve data in the pop-up box and click “Load.”

    Excel to POstgreSQL: Select the Required Table
    Select the Required Table

    The table’s data will be displayed in an Excel spreadsheet, where you can interact with it further.

    Excel to PostgreSQL: Table Data Loaded in Excel sheet
    Table Data Loaded in Excel sheet

    You have successfully completed the data transfer via ODBC Driver.

    Learn more about – How to import Excel into MySQL and import Excel into Bigquery.

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    Method 2: Integrating Excel and PostgreSQL via CSV Files 

      Step 1: Convert Excel to PostgreSQL via CSV Files

      The first step in the CSV method in Excel to PostgreSQL data transfer is to use “Excel File Conversion.” Open your file in Microsoft Excel if the file extension is xls or xlsx.

      This will need to be converted to a “CSV file,” which is a simple process. Simply “Save As” and modify the “Save as type:” to CSV (*.csv) before clicking “Save.” There is no need to change the file name to .csv because it will change automatically.

      Step 2: CSV File Connection

      Click “Create” and then “Connection” after right-clicking your database connection (or anyplace if your connections are empty). On the left, make sure the “All tab” is chosen, then scroll down to “CSV.” Now click “Next.”

      Excel to PostgreSQL: Select Your Database
      Select Your Database

      Select the folder where you saved your CSV file from Microsoft Excel by clicking “Browse.” You’re choosing a folder rather than a file. The connection will load all CSV files in that folder. Finish by clicking “Finish.”

      You should now notice a new connection, which is configured similarly to a standard connection. Each of the CSV files in your folder will be organized into a table with columns.

      Step 3: Data Import

      Data Import is the last step in the process to connect Excel to PostgreSQL data transfer. After you’ve established the Excel connection to PostgreSQL, you may query the data using SQL syntax, just like any other table. Now, you can easily import Excel into PostgreSQL using this CSV file.. Select “Export Data” from the context menu of the table you want to import into PostgreSQL.

      Excel to PostgreSQL: Export Data
      Export Data

      Click “Next” after selecting the database. Change the target container to the schema in PostgreSQL where your table resides. Click “OK.”

      Excel to PostgreSQL: Change the Target Container
      Excel to PostgreSQL: Change the Target Container

      Choose the target (table) for the data to be imported. Set the target column for each data column by clicking “Columns.” This will map automatically if you have headers in your data that match the table columns. Click “OK” then “Next.”

      Excel to PostgreSQL: Choose the Target Table
      Choose the Target Table

      Set the connection and “Data Load” options. Remove the option for truncating the target table if you only want to add data to the table rather than rewriting it. Select “Next.” After you’ve double-checked that the source and target are correct, click “Start” to begin the PostgreSQL Excel import.

      The data from your PostgreSQL table is now available for selection.

      Excel to PostgreSQL: Data has been exported to PostgreSQL
      Data has been exported to PostgreSQL

      You have completed the data transfer via CSV files.

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      Method 3: Transfer data from Excel to a PostgreSQL Database Using pgAdmin

      Step 3: Save as CSV

      Convert your Excel spreadsheet into a CSV file. To do this, click on “File,” then save as. In the drop-down bar that appears, pick “CSV (Comma delimited),” and then hit “Save.”

        Excel to PostgreSQL: Select the CSV file format after clicking on Save As
        Select the CSV file format after clicking on Save As

        Step 2: Create an empty table in pgAdmin

        Create an empty table in PostgreSQL with identical column names, data types, and column constraints as your Excel sheet’s columns.

          Excel to PostgreSQL: Create a blank table in postgresql with the same schema as the source table

          Step 3: use “Import/Export”

          In PostgreSQL, right-click on the newly formed table; a selection of choices will display; select the “import/export” option.

            Excel to PostgreSQL: Select import/export option
            Select import/export option
            • At this stage, a dropdown menu displays. Here’s how to use the dropdown box:
              • Choose the “Import” option.
              • On the file name tab, pick your excel sheet from your PC by clicking the select file “(…)” button.
              • Choose “yes” for the header choice.
              • Choose the “comma (,) delimiter” as the delimiter choice.
              • Click “OK.”
            Excel to PostgreSQL: Enter the filename of the csv file to be imported
            Enter the filename of the csv file to be imported

            Step 4: Point to your CSV

            If all rules are followed correctly, an import task is produced. A process observer appears to assist you in keeping track of what’s going on.

              Excel to PostgreSQL: Process to import the data from CSV file
              Process to import the data from CSV file

              You’ve successfully loaded the table into your relational database management system.

                Successfully imported the data from the CSV file
                Excel to PostgreSQL: Successfully imported the data from the CSV file

                Method 4: Move Data From PostgreSQL Database to Excel Using Microsoft Query

                Step 1: Begin by opening the Excel sheet where you intend to import data from PostgreSQL. To do this, go to the “Data” tab, then select “Get Data,” followed by “From Other Sources,” and finally choose “From Microsoft Query.”

                Excel to PostgreSQL: Select the From Microsoft Query option
                Select the From Microsoft Query option

                Step 2: In the next window, select the desired data source and make sure to enable the option that says, “Use the Query Wizard to create/edit queries.” Confirm your selection by clicking “OK.”

                Step 3: Next, you’ll need to specify the database connection details. This includes providing the database name, username, and password. Once entered, click the “OK” button to proceed.

                Step 4: In this step, you can select the specific tables you want to import into Excel. Additionally, you have the option to apply filters or sort data in rows and columns as needed. To add the selected tables, click the “Add” button.

                With these steps completed, you will see that your PostgreSQL data has been successfully loaded into an Excel sheet.

                Furthermore, you have the option to utilize other features in the “Get Data” tab, such as the Data Connection Wizard, Power Pivot, and Query Wizard, to export query results from your PostgreSQL database to Excel.

                • Power Pivot: This Excel add-in empowers you to import data from external sources, including PostgreSQL databases. While importing, you can apply data filters or rename columns. After the import, Power Pivot efficiently organizes the tables on separate sheets in Excel. Moreover, you can utilize the Data Analysis Expression language within Power Pivot to create advanced formulas, allowing you to craft custom data models.
                • Query Wizard: The Query Wizard serves as a valuable tool to create and modify queries for accessing your database’s stored data.
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                Helpful Resources on Excel to PostgreSQL

                Conclusion

                This article teaches you about Excel to PostgreSQL. It provides in-depth knowledge about the concepts behind every step to help you understand and implement them efficiently. PostgreSQL is a great tool for storing your business data. However, at times, you need to transfer this data from multiple sources to your PostgreSQL account for further analysis.

                If you want to transfer data into your desired database/destination like PostgreSQL, then Hevo Data is the right choice!

                Hevo Data is a no-code data pipeline solution that can help you import data from a vast sea of sources like Google Sheets to your desired destination such as PostgreSQL, data warehouses, or BI tools.

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                  Frequently Asked Questions

                  1. Can Excel connect to PostgreSQL?

                  Yes, Excel can connect to PostgreSQL. You can make this connection using ODBC drivers.

                  2. How do I run a Postgres query in Excel?

                  Follow the given steps to run a Postgres query in Excel:
                  1. Open the Data tab in Excel and choose Get Data -> From Other Sources -> From Microsoft Query.
                  2. Choose the PostgreSQL DSN. Select the option to use Query Wizard to create/edit queries.
                  3. In the Query Wizard, expand the node for the table you would like to import into your spreadsheet. Select the columns you want to import and click the arrow to add them to your query.

                  3. Can Postgres read an Excel file?

                  Postgres itself can’t read an Excel file, but you can convert it into a CSV file format supported by Postgres.
                  You can import the CSV into Postgres and load it as a table so you can access and query its data.

                  4. How do I extract data from PostgreSQL and convert it to Excel?

                  You can Postgres Export to CSV in 3 ways:
                  Method 1: Postgres Export to CSV using the COPY Command
                  Method 2: Postgres Export to CSV using the \Copy Command
                  Method 3: Postgres Export to CSV using the pg_dump

                  5. Can you add Excel CSV data in PostgreSQL?

                  Yes, You can import the CSV into Postgres and load it as a table so you can access and query its data.

                  Harsh Varshney
                  Research Analyst, Hevo Data

                  Harsh is a data enthusiast with over 2.5 years of experience in research analysis and software development. He is passionate about translating complex technical concepts into clear and engaging content. His expertise in data integration and infrastructure shines through his 100+ published articles, helping data practitioners solve challenges related to data engineering.