Step 1: Load The Sample Spreadsheet

The first step of this exercise is to load the sample spreadsheet named pivot.xls. You can find this spreadsheet on the CD-ROM included with this book.

Please note that the input data that is provided within pivot.xls is highly de-normalized and ready to use. Each row represents a line item within an order, and there is a high degree of duplicated data. Also, note that every field is a potential key except for qty-sold and total-cost. Getting this file onto a PC platform involves writing an SQL statement that will extract the required columns while joining the salient Oracle tables (see Figure 5.3). The SQL is generally executed by invoking Oracle’s SQL*Plus from a cron task on Unix. The resulting flat file will then be transferred to a PC LAN by using FTP, where it will be loaded into the Excel spreadsheet. Figure 5.3 shows what the spreadsheet should look like.

Figure 5.3 De-normalized Oracle data after transfer into Excel spreadsheet.