A Datarails Excel table is a filtered extract of your data stored in the Datarails database. You can filter the data, import it into any Excel file, and reference it from other parts of your report.

In the task pane, go to Get data > Data tables, where you will find three options:

• Add table
• Edit selected
• Manage tables

Create a new data table

1. Go to Get data > Data tables > Add table. A blank Add Data Table window opens.
2. In the Name field at the top, give the table a descriptive name.
3. On the left, under Table, select the source table from the Select table dropdown. All fields from that table are then listed, and you can use the Search box to find one quickly.
4. Drag the fields you want into Display Fields. The order of the fields is reflected in the preview on the right, and you can rearrange them by dragging. Use the clear icon beside the heading to empty the pane.
5. To narrow the data, drag fields into Filters, or use the filter icon next to a field name.
6. Optionally turn on either toggle:
   • Dimension table creates a dimension table. This requires selecting a dimension field and a value field.
   • Remove duplicates shows each row only once.
7. Click Save at the top right. The configured table is added to your sheet.

Edit a table

Edit selected is available only when your cursor is inside a data table.

1. Click any cell inside an existing data table in your sheet.
2. Go to Get data > Data tables > Edit selected. The Edit Table interface opens with the table's current configuration.
3. Make your changes.
4. Click Save. The table updates in place.

You can also right-click inside a data table and choose Edit table, without opening the task pane. 

See Right-Click Context Menu.

Manage data tables

Data tables can be managed from both the add-in and the web, with the same actions available in each, except that adding a table to the Excel file is only possible from the add-in.

From the add-in

Go to Get data > Data tables > Manage tables. The Manage Tables interface opens with a list of all existing data tables and their associated database tables. From here you can:

• View and manage all your data tables
• Add an existing data table to the current file, using the + icon next to it
• Edit, clone or delete a table from the actions menu, the three dots on the right
• Filter the list to show only tables currently used in Excel

To create a new table from here, click Add table, which opens the blank Add Data Table interface described above.

From the web

In the Datarails web app, go to the Excel Add-in section in the left panel and click Excel Tables. 
The Manage Tables interface opens with the same list. From here you can:

• View and manage all your data tables
• Edit, clone or delete a table from the actions menu
• Filter the list to show only tables currently used in Excel

To create a new table, click Add table.
 This will open the clean 'Add Data Table' interface described above.

Refreshing tables

Data tables refresh with the rest of the workbook when you click Refresh. To refresh specific tables only, use Refresh selected tables, which is quicker in large workbooks.

You can also right-click inside a table and choose Refresh table.

Settings includes an option to disable Datarails Excel table refresh, if you want tables to hold their current values. 

Working across platforms

Data tables behave identically on Windows desktop, Mac desktop and Excel on the web.

Known limitation on Windows and Mac desktop: the Datarails right-click menu does not appear when you right-click directly on a formatted Excel table object. This is a confirmed Microsoft platform issue. Workaround: right-click a cell range that touches or overlaps the table instead, or use the task pane.

Updated September 15, 2026 07:24