Web Query Reports in Excel

You can turn any recurring report into a web query simply by copying the report's static URL and dropping into Microsoft Excel or any other reporting dashboard. Your data will be automatically updated when you open your Excel file.

For Google Sheets users, see Importing Web Queries into Google Sheets.

How To Create A Web Query Report

  1. From any grid, click on the Report button to the top right of the grid.
  2. Next, from within the Export window, click the Web Query button.
  3. Give your report an easy-to-remember name. When we look for our scheduled report later on, we can use MarinOne's new search functionality to find the desired report, so make sure to use naming conventions that make sense for this report. 
  4. To ensure full web query functionality, we recommend setting up your report on a recurring schedule. You can learn more about setting up recurring reports in Marin from our article [MarinOne] Creating Reports. Once you've selected a recurring schedule, click Apply to return to the Reporting pop-up bubble.
  5. Because your web query report will be imported directly into Excel or your reporting dashboard, you likely won't need your web query to email to specific recipients, however, if you do still need your report to email to colleagues, clients, or yourself, simply type your email recipients into the Email to text box.
  6. Next, you can add a description (optional).
  7. Click Run Report.
  8. You can pick up your report by clicking on Completed in the Reports section of the left navigation bar. 
  9. Within the Reports section, the Completed tab will house reports that have run previously. The Scheduled tab will house your web query's recurring schedule and static URL.

Importing Your Web Query Into Excel 

Once your web query report has been created, you can use its status URL to import it into your desired reporting dashboard. 

  1. In the left navigation bar, under Reports section, select Scheduled.
  2. Find the desired web query report from the list of scheduled reports. You can use the Search bar at the top to search for a specific report - this is where those naming conventions come in handy.
  3. Then, from the File column, click on the blue web query icon to copy your report's static URL to your clipboard. You will use this URL to import your web query report into Excel. 

The rest of this process will differ depending on whether you're using a PC or a Mac. Follow the corresponding instructions below to import your web query data into Excel.

A Note About Changing Date Ranges

It's worth noting that you can't change the date range of your Web Query within Excel or another spreadsheet editor.

To change the date range of your Web Query, you'll need to alter the original Recurring Report you used to generate your Web Query. Then, when you refresh the data in Excel or your spreadsheet editor, it'll all show up correctly. Simple!

A Note For Excel 2016 Users

If you're using Microsoft Excel 2016 or higher, you may hit a login screen when attempting to source data from the web in the steps below, which will not allow you to complete the Web Query. To resolve this issue, you'll need to enable the legacy version of Excel's Get Data feature. To do so, simply follow the steps outlined by Microsoft in this article (external link). Once you've done this, you'll be able to use the From Web (Legacy)option to complete your Web Query as normal. 

How To Create A Web Query On A PC 

Note: this process may differ depending on which version of Excel you are using. If you find that your version looks a little bit different from the instructions provided here, we'd recommend reaching out to Microsoft support for instructions that are specific to your version of Microsoft Excel.

  1. In Excel, open the workbook where you wish to import your web query. Most users choose to create a new worksheet for raw web query data.
  2. Next, click on Data menu and select From Web.
  3. Paste the copied URL into the address bar and click Go.
  4. Your report will be loaded in a preview window and you'll see check boxes next to each reporting component. Click the check boxes next to the sections you wish to import. If you'd like to import the entire report, you can select the check box at the top left of the preview screen.
  5. Click Import.
  6. Next, you'll be asked to specify the location where you wish to import your web query report. Specify the worksheet and cell where you'd like your web query data to begin.
  7. If you would like data in your web query to refresh automatically, click Properties, select Refresh data when opening the file, and click OK. You can also adjust this setting later, from the Properties button on the Data tab. Once you're ready to import your data, choose OK.
  8. Your web query report will load in the Excel workbook. To refresh your report in order to make certain you're viewing the most up-to-date data, click the Refresh button or update the refresh settings by clicking on Properties.

How To Create A Web Query On A Mac

Note: this process may differ depending on which version of Excel you are using. If you find that your version looks a little bit different from the instructions provided here, we'd recommend reaching out to Microsoft support for instructions that are specific to your version of Microsoft Excel.

  1. In Microsoft Word, open a new document and paste in your copied web query URL. Click Save As and, under Format, select .txt and click Save. In the pop-up box that appears, under Encoding, select MS-Dos and click OK.
  2. In Finder, right click on your new Word document and select Get Info. Expand the Name & Extension box and change the .txt extension to .iqy.
  3. In Excel, open the workbook where you wish to import your web query. Most users choose to create a new worksheet for raw web query data.
  4. From the Data menu, select Get External Data and choose Run Saved Query. You can then browse for your newly-saved Word document.
  5. Next, select where you'd like the report to be placed.
  6. If you would like data in your web query to refresh automatically, click Properties, select Refresh data when opening the file, and click OK. You can also adjust this setting later if you prefer. Click OK and your web query report will load in the Excel workbook.
  7. To refresh your report in order to make certain you're viewing the most up-to-date data, click the Refresh button or update the refresh settings by clicking on Properties.

How To Change The Date Range Of A Web Query Report (Windows And Mac)

It's important to note that you cannot change the date range displayed within a web query report from within Excel.

To change the date range shown within a web query, please make your changes within MarinOne, then refresh the data in Excel. This will result in the updated data being shown correctly.

Written by Marketing @ Marin Software

Last published at: November 8th, 2023