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Toad® Data Point 5.3.

User Guide
Copyright

© 2020 Quest Software Inc.


ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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Toad Data Point 5.3
User Guide
Sunday, October 25, 2020
Contents

Copyright 2

Contents 3

Introduction 6
About Toad Data Point 6
Best Practices 7
Understand Toad's Workflow 8

Connect 9
Create ODBC Connections 9
Tips for Working with ODBC Connections 10
ODBC Features 11
Create Oracle Connections 11
Client Connection or Direct Connection 11
Configure the Oracle Instant Client 12
Create an Oracle Connection 12
Create SQL Server and SQL Azure Connections 13
Understand Toad Connections 15
Toad Open Connections 15
Sharing a Connection Among Windows 16
Troubleshoot SQL Server® Issues 16
Connection Issues 16

Understand 19
Determine the Best Method to Locate Objects 19
Object Explorer 19
Filter Databases and Objects 20
Types of Filters 20
Before Creating a Filter 21
Create Filters 21
Use Filters 22
Import/Export Filters 23
Tutorial: Understand a Table Using the Database Explorer 23
Search for Objects 25
Tutorial: Create a Database Diagram to Use as a Query Template 26
Browse Data in Related Tables 28

Query 30
Tutorial: Visually Build a Query 30
Create Cross-Connection Queries 32
Considerations and Limitations of Cross-Connection Queries 33

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Reverse Engineer Queries 34
Considerations and Limitations in the Query Builder 34
Tutorial: Build a Subquery 36
About Editing SQL 39
Configure Editor Options 40
Editor Shortcut Keys 41
View Result Sets 43
Visual Inspection Grid 43
Troubleshoot Data 43
Tips for Working with Data 43
Compare Differences in Data 45
Export Data with One Click Export 45
Share Excel Linked Queries 47

Report 49
Tutorial: Create a Toad Data Report 49
Step 1: Run the Toad Data Report Wizard 49
Step 2: Update Fields 50
Step 3: Use Styles to Format the Report Appearance 50
Step 4: Update Bands and Add Controls 52
Manage Reports 53
About Managing Reports 53
DB2 Reports 54
MySQL Reports 56
ODBC Reports 56
Oracle Reports 56
SQL Server Reports 58
Publish and Share Reports 60

Automate 61
Getting Started with Automation 61
Introduction 61
The Automation Window 62
Create a Basic Script 64
Test and Run Your Script 65
Schedule Your Script 66
Automate Exporting to Excel Reports 67
Introduction 67
Create a Simple Excel Report 67
Create a Multi-Page Excel Report Using One Query 69
Create a Multi-Page Excel Report Using Multiple Queries 69
Schedule A Script 70
Automate Tasks 70
Use Database Automation Activities 74
Use File Automation Activities 81
Use System Automation Activities 85
Using Variables in Automation 91
How to Create Variables 91
How to Use Variables 92

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Variable Scope 94
Execute and Schedule Automation Scripts 95

About Us 97
Contact Quest 97
Technical Support Resources 97

Index 98

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Contents
1
Introduction

About Toad Data Point


October 25, 2020

Toad® Data Point is a multi-platform database query tool built for anyone who needs to access data, understand
data relationships, and quickly produce reports.
With Toad Data Point, you can:
l Connect to almost any database or ODBC data source (see the Release Notes for a list of tested ODBC
connections)
l Write SQL queries and join data across all platforms
l Automate and schedule frequent and repetitive tasks
l Streamline data collection
l Collaborate with team members
l Export data in a variety of file formats
Toad Data Point provides a full-featured Database Explorer, Query Builder, and Editor for the following
databases:
l Oracle®

l SQL Server® and SQL Azure

l IBM® DB2® (LUW and z/OS)

l SAP® ASE, IQ, SQL Anywhere, and HANA

l Teradata®

l MySQL
Toad Data Point also provides querying and reporting functionality via the following provider types:
l ODBC
l Business Intelligence and NoSQL data sources
l Microsoft® Excel®

l Microsoft Access®

ODBC Connections
The purpose of the ODBC provider is to offer basic connection and querying capabilities to any database that
supports an ODBC 3.0 or later driver. For a list of databases tested with the ODBC provider, see the System
Requirements in the Release Notes. This form of connectivity allows connections to databases such as
Netezza, IBM iSeries, Ingres, and Vertica™. Because this form of connectivity is generic, it is not full-featured
and may not be as robust as the fully-exploited providers for the other databases.

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Introduction
Business Intelligence and NoSQL Data Sources
Toad Data Point provides users with the ability to connect to non-traditional data sources, such as Business
Intelligence and NoSQL sources. You can connect to these data sources and explore data and objects, query
data, report results, and automate tasks.
The following data sources are supported:

Business Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition (OBIEE), SAP Business Objects™, Salesforce®,
Intelligence Microsoft SQL Server Analysis Services, Google Analytics™, OData, and SharePoint®
NoSQL Azure Table Services, Cassandra™, Cloudera Impala, DynamoDB, HBASE™, Hive™,
MongoDB™

Best Practices
Toad provides tools that help you succeed in your query and reporting goals. Many of these tools are
considered Best Practices and are beneficial for individual users as well as managers. The following table
describes the benefits of using Toad to improve Best Practices:

Best Practice Benefit


One tool Connect to any database type for basic query needs. Using one tool for all platforms
makes it easier to learn and train others. Managers can create common files shared by
all users. This ensures consistency for connections, queries, and reports.
Shared Easily share connections between users by importing or exporting them.
connections
Project Organize files and make them easily accessible to provide significant time savings. The
management Project Manager provides an easy way to group Database Diagrams, queries, and
reports. It also provides the following useful features:
l Create multiple projects to manage and track related tasks.
l Double-click files in the project to quickly load them for review or execution. You
can also add favorite web sites and directories.
l Email files to colleagues or send them to your local network share.
l Use the To-Do list to track items you need to complete.
Automation Tasks that are frequently repeated can be automated and scheduled using Automation.
You can schedule long running queries to execute during off-hours and can
automatically export the results to Excel. You can also add these tasks to the Project
Manager, and then double-click them to execute them. Automation offers an extension
to your work day without you having to be there.
Database Diagram Database schemas can be complex and difficult for new users to understand. The
Database Diagram displays the database relationships between tables to reduce the
learning curve. It also provides the following useful features:
l Add notes to help users learn more about specific tables and columns.
l Hide columns that are rarely used so users can focus on critical information.
l Add manual relationships to commonly used joins in queries.
l Save, share, or use Database Diagrams as a template for building queries.
Query Builder Create complex queries visually using the Query Builder. You can also:
l Reverse engineer a query from the Editor.
l Create a cross-connection query between different database providers, such as
Oracle and DB2.

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Introduction
Best Practice Benefit
l Add Lookup tables to a column for easy filtering.
l Use bind variables to optimize a query.
l Annotate tables, relationships, or the actual diagram with notes.
l Save or share the query for future use.
l Add Query Builder files to the Project Manager for easy access during your
sessions.
Excel Build Excel reports and share them with colleagues. The One Click Export feature
offers options for quickly building Excel reports, including pivot tables for data
manipulation. If you want data in an exported report to reflect changes to the database,
you can use the One Click Export feature to export the underlying query with the report
so it can be refreshed with the latest updates.
Share Files and Store files and reports in libraries that can be shared with colleagues. You can specify
Reports a directory on a network share to share these files with others.

Understand Toad's Workflow


Most reporting projects have a general flow throughout their lifecycle that requires you to understand your data
sources, create queries, generate reports based on query results, and automate scripts for repetitive tasks.
l Understand—Successful queries begin with a clear understanding of the data source to which you
connect. If you understand the data and the objects, as well as their relationships to one another, you
can build informed queries that are effective and more optimized than you could without this
understanding.
l Query—Queries are the most important, and often the most time-consuming, aspect of your project. Once
you have a clear understanding of the data source, you can begin to create your query.
l Report—Data retrieved from a query frequently needs to be shared with colleagues or management in
the form of a report, such as a pivot grid or chart.
l Automate—Queries and reports usually need to run on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. With
Automation, you can create a workflow that includes connecting to data sources, importing/exporting
data, executing scripts, running queries, and building and distributing reports on a scheduled basis.

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Introduction
2
Connect

Create ODBC Connections


Toad Data Point allows you to create a connection to a database that supports an ODBC 3.0 or later driver.
ODBC connectivity provides basic querying capability, but may not be as full-featured as a native connection in
Toad. For a list of databases tested with the ODBC provider, see the Release Notes.
This form of connectivity allows connections to databases such as Netezza, IBM iSeries, Ingres, and Vertica.
Note: Distinct values are not available in Code Completion for ODBC connections.

DSN Architecture (Bitness) Must Match Toad


To create a successful ODBC connection, the architecture (bitness) of the driver in the specified DSN must
match the architecture (bitness) of Toad. For example, 64-bit Toad requires an applicable 64-bit driver and 32-
bit Toad requires an applicable 32-bit driver.

To create an ODBC connection

1. Click on the toolbar (ALT+F+N+O).

2. Select ODBC Generic from the Group list box.


3. Use data source name—Select to display data source names. Clear this check box if you want to
display the driver names.

4. To create a data source to use in this connection, click in the Data Source Name field. Then click
Add.
5. Select an ODBC driver from the list, and click Finish.
Note: If creating an Oracle ODBC connection, select the ODBC driver provided by Oracle. The Microsoft
ODBC for Oracle driver has less functionality than the driver provided by Oracle.
6. Specify the configuration properties required for the database in the Windows configuration dialog.
Notes:
l If you have an Oracle database with Unicode data, make sure to select Force SQL_WCHAR
Support on the Workarounds tab of the windows Oracle ODBC Configuration dialog. If you do
not, you will not be able to see the data.
l If creating a MySQL ODBC connection to use in a cross-connection query, you must specify a
database in the Windows MySQL ODBC Configuration dialog.
7. Specify the connection properties in the Create New Connection dialog. Review the following for
additional information:

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General
Data source Select the driver or data source name you added in the previous steps.
name
User Enter the user name to use when connecting.
Password Enter the password to use when connecting.
Tip: After connecting, you can set a master password to further secure your
connection in Tools | Options| Environment | Security.
Database Select a database or schema. Click to create a temporary connection and
display available databases/schemas in the drop-down list.
Information
Data Source Displays the selected driver or data source name.
Name
Driver Displays the ODBC driver associated with the data source.
Advanced
Default Table Specify default options to use when creating a new table.
Column Column type—Select the default data type to use when creating a table.
Column length—For the selected column type, enter a default column length to
use.
Advanced Options Block Cursor Size—Specify the number of rows to return in a single fetch of data
from the result set.
Disable multi-threading—Multi-threading is disabled by default. Enable multi-
threading only if supported by the driver. Multi-threading can improve
performance, but can also result in unpredictable behavior if not supported by the
driver.
Default: Selected
Category (Optional) Select an existing category or create a new one.

8. Click Connect to connect immediately while saving the connection information. Optionally, click Save to
save the connection without connecting.

Tip: Connections are stored in the connections.xml file and can be found by clicking the Application Data
Directory link in Help | About.

Tips for Working with ODBC Connections


Tip Description
Filter DSN by bitness To filter Data Source Names displayed in the New Connection dialog by the
bitness of Toad, go to Tools | Options | Database | ODBC.
Cache object metadata To cache object metadata for ODBC connections and retain it between
sessions, go to Tools | Options | Database | ODBC and select to enable disk
caching.
Cached object metadata is retained until manually refreshed.
Refresh object metadata To refresh object metadata for all ODBC connections, in the Object Explorer
right-click an object and select Refresh All.
Right-click an object and select Refresh Schema to refresh only objects in that
schema.

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ODBC Features
Feature Description
Bypass schema/instance For ODBC connections, in the SQL Editor you can bypass selecting a
selection in SQL Editor schema/instance and specify this information through the script instead. This
is useful if your script executes SQL against multiple schemas.
To use this method, select I will set schema/instance in the script from the
schema/instance drop-down list in the SQL Editor window. Then specify the
schema/instance through your script.
Note: When this option is selected, some code completion features, object
actions, and object information tool tips are unavailable for this SQL Editor
window.

Click here to view a video about creating connections in Toad Data Point

Create Oracle Connections


You can create a new connection, or connect to an existing connection from the Create New
Connection window.
Click here to view a video about creating connections in Toad Data Point
Tip: You can configure Toad Data Point to accept connection information from Toad for Oracle.

Client Connection or Direct Connection


You can connect to your database using a native Oracle database provider in Toad using one of the
following methods:

Connection Method Advantages Disadvantages


Client connection Supports LDAP Requires an Oracle client
Client tab—Uses an installed Note: Toad supports Oracle clients and
Oracle Client or Oracle Instant Oracle Instant clients using version 9i or
Client to establish a connection later.
to the database from Toad.
Direct connection Does not require an This method only supports common data
Direct Connect tab—Uses installed Oracle Client types. Some advanced Oracle object types
TCP/IP to connect directly to the Recommended for cannot be retrieved when connecting using
database. connecting to Oracle 8i this method.
databases This method does not support LDAP. (To
connect using LDAP, use the Client
Connection method instead.)
This method cannot be used in a cross-
connection query.
Note: Quest recommends using one of the methods described in this table to connect to Oracle rather than an
ODBC driver. Because ODBC connectivity is generic, it is not full-featured and may not be as robust as the
fully exploited native database provider.

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Configure the Oracle Instant Client
The Oracle Instant client installs only those files needed to connect to your database using OCI. Because this
client does not write to the registry (no ORACLE_HOMES) or add to the environmental path, you must manually
set environment variables so the client can be used with Toad.

To configure the Oracle Instant Client to work with Toad


1. Save the Oracle Instant Client files in any location on the computer where Toad is installed.
2. On your Windows desktop, right-click My Computer and select Properties.
3. Select the Advanced tab and click Environment Variables.
4. Click New under System Variables and complete the following:

Variable name Variable Value


PATH <Path where Instant Client is installed>;%PATH%
For Example: C:\Program Files\OracleInstantClient;%PATH%
TNS_ADMIN <Path where tnsnames.ora file is installed>

5. To use the Oracle Instant Client connection in a cross-connection query, you must also install an
Oracle ODBC driver. (While the Oracle Client full install includes an ODBC driver, the Oracle Instant
Client does not.)
Note: You cannot use an Oracle Direct Connection in a cross-connection query.

Create an Oracle Connection


To create an Oracle connection

1. Click on the toolbar (ALT+F+N).

2. Select Oracle from the Group list box.

3. Review the following for additional information:

Login Tab Description


Database name Select the alias to use when connecting. This list displays aliases from LDAP, as
well as any local tnsnames.ora file.
When you initially open the connection dialog, Toad retrieves the list of LDAP
names from the LDAP server. Toad caches this list and displays it upon
subsequent requests, within one Toad session. To refresh the list, click .
Note: If you do not select a database, Toad uses the ORACLE_SID for the
selected home. If an ORACLE_SID value does not exist and you do not specify a
database, you cannot connect.
Password Enter the password to use when connecting.
Tip: After connecting, you can set a master password to further secure your
connection in Tools | Options| Environment | Security.
Connect as Select whether to connect as either SYSDBA or SYSOPER if you have the
appropriate permissions. Otherwise, use the default.

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Schema Select a schema if you frequently work in a different schema than the one
associated with your user name.
Explain plan (Optional) Specify the location of an existing explain plan table to use instead of
table Toad automatically creating one for you when you execute a statement. This is
useful if you do not have necessary permissions to create explain plan tables or
want to use an existing table.
Category Select or create a category if you want to color code Editor tabs for a specific
connection. This can help differentiate between development and production
databases. You can also set an option to color code the Object Explorer pane
and object editor windows (Create, Alter, Drop, etc.). Click here to view a
video of this feature.
Save password Select this check box if you plan to use this connection in a scheduled
Automation script.
Note: This option is disabled if Toad was installed with Prohibit saving
passwords selected.
Oracle Client Tab Description
Current home Modify the Oracle home to use, if needed.
TNSNames Click this button to edit your local TNSNames file.
Editor Tip: You can press CTRL+F to open the Find/Replace window to locate entries in
the TNS Names Editor. Pressing F3 locates the next entry that matches your
criteria.
SQLNET Editor Click this button to edit SQLNET.ORA parameters. Before editing this file, you
should create a backup copy. See SQLNET.ORA Profile Parameters in the Oracle
documentation for more information.
Direct Tab Description
SID Enter the ORACLE_SID value for the database. This value is specified in the
registry under each installed home.
Advanced Tab Description
ODBC driver If an Oracle Client is installed, the default is the Oracle ODBC driver.
If an Oracle Client is not installed, the default is the Microsoft Access ODBC
driver.
Tip: You can specify the ODBC driver to use for all connections for this database
provider in Tools | Options | Database | Oracle.

4. Click Connect to connect immediately while saving the connection information. Optionally, click Save to
save the connection without connecting.
Note: Go to Tools | Options | Database | Oracle to specify default options to use in Oracle connections.
Tip: Connections are stored in the connections.xml file and can be found by clicking the Application Data
Directory link in Help | About.

Create SQL Server and SQL Azure


Connections
You can create a new connection, or connect to an existing connection from the Create New Connection
window. See "Troubleshoot SQL Server® Issues" on page 16 for more information about troubleshooting
connection issues.
Click here to view a video about creating connections in Toad Data Point

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Note: For SQL Azure connections:
l To be able to utilize majority of Toad functionality please grant VIEW DEFINITION on the SQL Azure
databases you want to work with.
l You can login to Windows Azure Platform by selecting Tools | Cloud Computing | SQL Azure Portal and
providing your credentials.
l Make sure that no Azure firewall rule restricts your IP address from having access to Azure server. See
"Create and Alter Azure Firewall Rules" in the online help for more information.

To create a new connection

1. Click on the toolbar (ALT+F+N).

2. Select Microsoft SQL Server or Microsoft SQL Azure from the Group list box.
3. Review the following for additional information:

Login Tab Description


Server name Enter the name of the server to use when connecting.
Click to display any servers running SQL Server that are currently active on
the network.
Notes:
l For SQL Azure connections, enter InstanceName.database.windows.net
in this field.
l For named instances, enter the MachineName\InstanceName in this
field.
Authentication Select the type of authentication to use for this connection.
You can connect to an Azure SQL database with Active Directory
authentication. Client configuration is required. See https://
docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/sql-database/sql-database-aad-authentication-
configure#configure-your-client-computers
Note: You cannot create a SQL Azure connection using Windows
Authentication.
Password Enter the password to use when connecting.
Tip: After connecting, you can set a master password to further secure your
connection in Tools | Options| Environment | Security.
Category Select or create a category if you want to color code Editor tabs for a specific
connection. This can help differentiate between development and production
databases. You can also set an option to color code the Object Explorer pane
and object editor windows (Create, Alter, Drop, etc.). Click here to view a
video of this feature.
Encrypt Select this option to enable encryption for the current connection provided that
connection the certificate has been already installed on the server.
Advanced Tab Description
Network protocol Select one of the following:
l Shared Memory
l TCP/IP
l Named Pipes
Note: When establishing Named Pipes connection "Poll service status
in connection list" option should be cleared.

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Parameter You can add parameters to the connection. Toad includes the Application
Name/Value Name parameter with value Toad Data Point by default.
OBDC driver Select an ODBC driver to use for this connection when creating cross-
connection queries.
Tip: You can specify the ODBC driver to use for all connections for this
database provider in Tools | Options | Database | SQL Server.

4. Click Connect to save the connection and immediately connect to the database.
or
Click Save to save the connection without connecting to the database.
Tip: Connections are stored in the connections.xml file and can be found by clicking the Application Data
Directory link in Help | About.

To import connections (including Central Management Server connections)

1. Click .

2. Specify the location where the connections currently reside.


Note: Review the following for additional information on CMS connections:
l To import CMS connections, select a server from the list where the CMS is registered. The
connection to this SQL Server instance should be created beforehand.
l CMS is available beginning with Microsoft SQL Server 2008.
l User should have an appropriate login (Windows Authentication and grant to connect to selected
server are required) created on the server to which he connects via CMS.
3. Select the connections to be imported.

Understand Toad Connections


Review this topic to learn about open database connections in Toad.

Toad Open Connections


In Toad, an open connection in the Connection/Navigation Manager represents one or more actual connections
to the database or data source. When you open a database connection in Toad:
l Toad creates an initial database connection for general use.
l Toad also creates a separate database connection for each Editor (the first time you execute a
statement) and for each Data tab in the Database Explorer (the first time you select the tab and
query data).
The connection associated with the window (or tab) remains open until you close the window. If a
window has an associated connection, but a statement is not currently executing, the connection is in an
inactive state.

To view information for an open connection


l To view the number of actual database connections that exist for a Toad connection, including the
number of active connections, place the cursor over the connection in the Connection/Navigation

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Manager pane or in the connection drop-down list.

To use the Background Processes pane


l When a statement is executing, a progress bar displays in the Status bar located at the bottom of the
Toad application window. Click the executing progress bar to open the Background Processes pane.
l To cancel statement execution, use the Background Processes pane.
Note: It is recommended that you cancel only your own processes, because terminating Toad activities
could cause unexpected behavior.

Sharing a Connection Among Windows


You can instruct Toad to share an open connection among windows. In this way, the Editor windows and Data
tabs can share the same connection when the connection is inactive.

To share a database connection among windows in Toad


1. Select Tools | Options | Editor | General.
2. Clear the checkbox for the Use individual connection for each open editor option.
3. When this option is not selected, Toad attempts to use a single connection for any new windows or query
execution. For example, if you share a database connection, you can execute a query in the Editor,
execute another query in a new Editor, and then select the Data tab from the same connection.

If the single connection is in use when Toad attempts to execute it, the following occurs:
l (DB2 and Oracle only) If your database supports executing multiple queries simultaneously on a
shared connection, the query is placed in a queue and executes as soon as the current operation
completes.
l If your database does not support executing multiple queries on a shared connection, a dialog
prompts you to either permanently associate the window with a new database connection, cancel
the previous operation, or add the query to a queue until the current operation completes, and
the execute it. If you place multiple queries in the queue, each one executes in the order that it
was added to the queue.
Note: Although you can share a database connection, any commits apply to the selected window only.

Troubleshoot SQL Server® Issues

Connection Issues
Review the following solutions to help troubleshoot SQL Server connection issues in Toad.

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Issue Cause/Solution
Cannot specify a port number Currently, Toad does not have a separate field for specifying a port number.
when connecting Solution:
You can connect if you know the port number for the instance by entering
the following in the Server name field on the New Connection window:
ServerName,Port
or
IPAddress,Port
For example:
10.1.29.129,1234 (where 1234 is the port number of the instance)
Cannot connect to a remote Remote connections may not be enabled in SQL Server 2005. Also, named
instance in SQL Server 2005 instances are configured to use dynamic ports and select an available port
once the SQL Server Service starts. If you are connecting to a named
instance through a firewall, configure the Database Engine to listen on a
specific port, so that the appropriate port is opened in the firewall.
Note: Remote connections are disabled by default in the Express and
Developer editions of SQL Server 2005.
Solution:
To enable remote connections, see "How to configure SQL Server 2005 to
allow remote connections" at: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914277
"Path is not of a legal form" You attempted to migrate settings from a previous install of Toad to the
error message when current install, but the settings file (InitialSqlServer.Sql) for the previous
connecting install was either removed, moved, or corrupt.
or You may also receive this error if you installed Toad and migrated settings
"Could not find a part of the from a previous version, and later uninstalled the previous version.
path Solution:
C:\Program Files\Quest You must specify a valid location for the InitialSqlServer.Sql file in Toad.
Software
\Toad Data
To specify a valid location
Point\Template\Scripts\
InitialSqlServer.Sql" error 1. Open the SQL Server options page under Tools | Options |
message when connecting Database | SQL Server.

2. Specify the location for the new install's InitialSqlServer.Sql file in the
Run Script on new connection field.
By default, this file is located in the following directory:
C:\Program Files\Quest Software\Toad Data Point version
\Templates\Scripts
Note: Clicking may result in a "Path not found error". If you receive this
error, manually enter the location in the field.
Cannot establish Named Pipes If you are trying to connect to the server using Named Pipes, "Poll service
connection status in connection list" option should be cleared.
Solution:
1. Open the options page under Tools | Options | Database | General.
2. Clear Poll service status in connection list checkbox.
Cannot establish Azure Failing to establish Azure connection may indicate that your IP address is
connection restricted from having access to the Azure server.
Solutions:
1. Select Tools | Cloud Computing | SQL Azure Portal to login to
Azure Portal.

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Connect
Issue Cause/Solution
2. Create a firewall rule on the master database, enabling access to
current IP address or range. See "Create and Alter Azure Firewall
Rules" in the online help for more information.
Cannot access some To utilize majority of Toad functionality VIEW DEFINITION grant is required
functionality when working with for those databases you want to work with.
Azure connection.

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Connect
3
Understand

Determine the Best Method to Locate


Objects
Toad offers a number of features to assist you in locating objects. The following table provides guidelines based
on typical use cases:

If you know the.... Use this...


Column name, but do not know the table name Use Object Search
String of DDL for an object
Dependency for an object Uses and Used By tabs in the Database Explorer,
and then drill-down to the object from there
Criteria for excluding objects Filter feature in the Object Explorer

Object Explorer
You can view database objects for the current connection with the Object Explorer. This feature is useful for
dragging and dropping database objects into an open Editor, Query Builder, or other document window. Right-
click the objects in the Object Explorer to access additional features such as multiple tasks and actions.

To open the Object Explorer


1. Select View | Object Explorer.
2. Review the following for additional information:

Schema (first field) Select the schema you want to view. You can filter the list of schemas that
display. See "Filter Databases and Objects" on page 20 for more information.
Object Filter (second You can quickly set a filter in this field. To do so, enter a name or partial
field) name of an object and press ENTER. Any advanced object filters you set
display in this field.
You can also perform advanced filtering based on case sensitivity, statistics,
or other options. See "Filter Databases and Objects" on page 20 for more
information.
Tip: You can enable an option to filter using regular expressions in Tools
| Options | Explorer | General.
Note: For tables and views, the columns, data types, and comments display at the bottom of this
window.

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Tips:

l To navigate to a previously selected object, click . You can also click to move to the next
selected object.
l To locate objects including procedures, functions, views, variable names and comments in an object's
source code, use Object Search. See "Search for Objects" on page 25 for more information.

l To use a different method to select objects such as tabs, drop-downs, or a tree view, click .
l To generate reports, export data, create SQL statements, or send objects to the Project Manager, SQL
Modeler, or Master Detail windows, right-click the objects and select an option.
l To open the Background Processes window and cancel a query, click the progress bar at the bottom of
the window.

Filter Databases and Objects


Toad allows you to filter the list of databases or objects that display in the Object Explorer. You can use filters to
reduce the number of databases and/or objects to work with.

Types of Filters
You can create a Quick filter by entering a search string in the object filter field. You can also use the Filter

dialog (click ) to choose additional filter options. If you use the Filter dialog, you can also name and save
your filter.

Filter Type Description Behavior

Quick (unnamed) Can be used to quickly filter objects Applies to the current schema (or to
for a single connection or schema. objects in the current schema) only.
Create a Quick filter by entering a Once applied, a Quick filter is in
search string in the object filter field. effect on that connection when you
reconnect or relaunch Toad.
Because Quick filters are not
named, they cannot be applied to
other connections by selecting from
the filter list. You must recreate the
Quick filter for each
connection/schema.

Detailed (unnamed) Use like a Quick filter, but add more -- same behavior as a Quick filter --
detail by using the Filter dialog to
enter filter criteria.
Use this method to create an
unnamed database filter.

Named Create and save named filters to Once applied, a Named filter is in
reuse and to apply to other effect when you reconnect or
connections of the same data source relaunch Toad.
type. Can be re-used on other
connections of the same data
source type (DBMS).

Note: If you rename a table that has a filter defined, it results in an orphaned filter. Orphaned filters are
automatically removed unless you used a tool other than Toad to remove them.

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Understand
Before Creating a Filter
A filter is associated with a specific list of objects from a specific database. Consider the following guidelines
when setting filters:
l A filter applied to a set of objects such as tables in one specific database connection is not automatically
applied to the list of objects in another database connection.
l A filter applied to a list of tables on one schema in the database is not automatically applied to the list of
tables for a different schema in the same database.
l A filter set for a specific schema or object is applied when altering objects, using the SQL Editor, Master
Detail Browser, etc., for that schema or object.
Tip: To apply any currently-set filters to the code completion list in the editor, select the Apply explorer
filters option in Tools | Options | Editor | Code Completion.

Create Filters
To create a Quick filter (objects only)
l Enter a search string to use for filtering in the object filter field (below the database field) in the
Object Explorer.
Note: As you enter a search string, the currently specified Search Condition displays in a blue banner
below the object filter field. This Search Condition will be used in your filter. To change the Search

Condition, click and select a different one from the Search Condition drop-down.

To create a Detailed filter

1. Click beside the database or object filter fields in the Object Explorer.

2. Specify criteria for the filter in the Properties tab. Review the following for additional information:

Search String Enter a text string and search characters to use for filtering.
Search Condition Select a search type to use in this filter.
Note: You can set a default value for this field in Tools | Options |
Explorer | General. If you don't specify a default value in Options, this
field defaults to the search type you specified the last time you created or
modified a filter (includes previous sessions).

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Tip: To include in your text string certain characters normally used in
search logic, such as the underscore (_), use one of the following Search
Conditions:
l Contains (Exact)
l Starts With (Exact)
l End With (Exact)
Case Sensitive In DB2 connections, this property is set to True by default.

3. To create custom SQL, select the SQL tab and then select the Enable custom SQL option. Modify the
existing SQL. (The existing SQL reflects the criteria you specified in the Properties tab).
4. Select the Preview tab to review the list of databases or objects that are selected based on your
filter criteria.

To create a Named filter

1. Click and create a Detailed filter (see above).

2. Enter a name for the filter and click . Creating a name for the filter allows you to use it on other
database connections.

Creating a new Quick filter from a current filter


l If you apply a filter and then enter a search string into the object filter field without completely clearing
the current filter in the field, the new search string is applied, as well as the properties specified for
the old filter.
l If you apply a filter and then completely clear the object filter field before entering a new search string, all
properties return to the default values.
Note: The Search Condition also returns to the default value. This default is either the Search Condition
you specified the last time you created or modified a filter or it is the new default you specified in Options.

Use Filters
To use Named filters

l To apply a Named filter, click the down-arrow beside and select the filter from the drop-down list.

l To clear a Named filter, click the down-arrow beside and select <None>.

l To determine if a filter is applied, observe the filter icon.

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Understand
Icon Indicates
No filter is applied (all databases/objects display).

A filter is applied.

Import/Export Filters
You can export all named filters and you can export all filters defined for the current connection.

l To export Named filters or all filters defined for the current connection, click the down-arrow beside
in the database field and select Export Filters.

l To import filters previously exported from Toad, click the down-arrow beside in the database field
and select Import Filters. Browse to and select the filter file (.tfp) to import.

Tip: Click in the Database Explorer (Viewer) toolbar to clear all database, object, and data filters.

Tutorial: Understand a Table Using the


Database Explorer
Scenario
You need to build a query listing customers and want to know more about the table
before writing the query.
Note: This exercise uses the Toad Sample Database. This connection does not have
the relationship and script tabs. The tabs available can differ depending on the type
of connection.

Note: This topic focuses on information that may be unfamiliar to you. It does not include all step and field
descriptions.

To understand a table using the Database Explorer


1. Connect to the Toad Sample (Access) database in the Navigation Manager.
2. Right-click the CONTACT table and select View Details.
3. View information for the following:
a. Click the Indexes tab and view the index information.
b. Click the Primary Keys and Foreign Keys tabs to view relationships.
4. Click the Data tab.

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5. Place the cursor over the LAST_NAME column, click , and select Acton.

The only row that now displays is the one with Acton as the last name.

6. Click to the right of the LAST_NAME column again and select All to clear the filter.

7. Click the CONTACT_ID column to sort the rows in ascending or descending order.

8. Click in the top left of the Data tab.

9. Create the following filter in the Where Clause tab:


CONTACT_ID > 2000

The filter string displays at the bottom on the grid. Click to remove the filter.
10. Select a row of data in the grid. Notice that the row number changes in the bottom right of the status bar:

11. Under the SEX column, right-click the area below the last row in the grid that says "Right-click to add
column totals" and select Count. The total number of rows that have either a M or F value display.

12. Click to the right of the SEX column and select F. The count value updates based on the new filter.

13. Click to the right of the SEX column again and select All to clear the filter.

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14. Select the SEX column header and drag it the area above the columns that says "Drag a column header
here to group by that column":

You can expand each group to view the row data.


15. Switch the default view:
a. Right-click within a group or row on the grid and select Show | Card View.
b. Scroll through some records.
c. Click Customize in the Card View window.
d. Click Filter beside the ADDRESS_ID column and select 100. Notice how the card view is filtered,
but not the grid view.
e. Close the Card View window.
16. Edit a row:
a. Select a row in the FIRST_NAME column and edit the value.
b. Press ENTER to update the row.
c. Go to the BIRTH_DATE column and use the date picker to change the date.
Each data type have an appropriate editor.
Note: If you are using Oracle or a database that does not have auto commit on, you will need to
press Commit at the left hand bottom of the window.

17. Update the number of rows in in the data:


a. Select Tools | Options | Database | General from the menu.
b. Enter 50 in the Number of rows to initially fetch in data tab.
c. Click OK.
d. Press F5 in the data grid. Notice the bottom right status bar now says "1 of 50 (scroll for more)".
The option you set controls the number of rows fetched in the Data tab.
e. Click the scrollbar and hold down to retrieve more.
f. Right-click the grid and select Read All Rows.

Search for Objects


You can quickly locate an object rather than browsing through a list of objects in the Database Explorer orObject
Explorer. Object Search locates the following:

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Understand
l Names of objects for a string.
l Text in objects that include source code, which typically includes procedures, functions, triggers, data
types, and views. However, the database provider determines which objects include source code.
l Variable names and comments in the object's source code.
l Column names for tables and views.

To search for objects

1. Click on the toolbar (F4).

2. Specify search criteria and click Search.


Note: To append additional search results to the current search, click Append instead. If you click
Search, new results replace the previous search results in the data grid.

Tips:
l To remove objects from the search results, right-click the objects in the data grid and select Remove
Items. This is useful if you want to narrow the list of results to relevant objects.This does not remove the
objects from your database.
l To create a DDL script from the search results, right-click the data grid and select Create DDL Script.
You can then paste the results into the Editor.
l To perform any actions available for the object, such as creating, altering, dropping, exporting, and
generating reports or SQL, right-click the results in the data grid and select an option.

Tutorial: Create a Database Diagram to Use


as a Query Template
Scenario
Your company creates several daily and weekly reports regarding customer sales.
You need to create a Database Diagram that can be used as a template for these
queries.

To create a Database Diagram to use as a query template


1. Connect to the Toad Sample (Access) database in the Navigation Manager.
2. Select Tools | Diagram.
3. Drag the CONTACT table in the Object Explorer to the Diagram pane.

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Understand
4. Right click the Diagram pane and clear Show Dependencies to hide the Referenced Objects at the
bottom of each table/view, as illustrated in the following screen capture.

5. Right-click the ORDERS table and select Notes.


6. Enter the following note in the window for other users:
The shipping and billing ADDRESS_ID foreign key relations are not needed in most queries and should
be hidden when building a query.
7. Because it is against company policy to display sex and a home phone number in reports, right click on
each of these columns in the CONTACT table and select Hide Column.
Tip: If you have a large number of columns you need to hide, you can right-click a table and select
Manage Hidden Columns to quickly select them from a list.

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8. Click Add to Project from the wizard bar at the bottom of the window and enter DBDiagram_Test asthe
name for the file. This adds the file to the current project in the Project Manager under a Diagrams folder.
9. Close the Database Diagram window and open the Project Manager window.
10. Expand the Diagrams folder and double-click DBDiagram_Test to reload the file in a new Database
Diagram window.
11. To share your project, hidden columns, and notes with colleagues, complete the following:
a. Select Tools | Options | Environment | Network Share, and navigate to a shared drive where
you want to store the Project Manager file.
b. Select Database | Cache from the open Options window and set the following options:

Object An notation Description


Cache
Share object Select this checkbox and enter a shared drive location where users
annotations can access this file.
Share hidden column Select this checkbox.
settings

c. Provide the location of the Network Share and Object Annotation Cache settings to colleagues
who need to use this diagram.

Browse Data in Related Tables


Use the Master Detail Browser to browse data in parent tables and drill-down to data in related child tables. This
is useful when you need to analyze or edit data. For example, suppose you need to view a list of all Nick's Flix
stores and the inventory of comedy movies at each store. Using the Master Detail Browser, you specify the table
that contains the list of stores as the parent table and specify the table that contains comedy movies as the child
table to quickly locate comedies and analyze the inventory.

To browse tables using the Master Detail Browser


1. Select Tools | Master Detail Browser (ALT+T+A).

2. Drag one or more tables from the Object Explorer, Object Search, or Project Manager window to
the Diagram pane at the top of the Master Detail Browser. Press CTRL+click to select multiple
tables at once.
Notes:
l A line between tables indicates any existing relationships between the selected tables.
l At least one parent table (table without any join arrows pointing to it) must be added to the
window or an error message displays when returning results.
3. Join Columns.
4. Select the checkbox beside each column you want to include.
Note: Any columns included in a join are automatically included in the results.

5. Click (F9) to retrieve data for the parent table initially. To view data in a child table, click + to the left
of each row.
or

Click to retrieve data in the parent and child tables. If there is more than one child table, a tab
displays for each child table.

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Understand
6. From the data grid, you can:
l Edit the data and commit your changes to the database.
l Right-click the data grid and select Send To | option to add the data to a report, chart,
or pivot grid.
Tips:

l Click to align tables and snap them to the grid.

l Select the parent table from the drop-down list in the toolbar to view data for a parent table if there are
multiple parent tables.
l Click X on the table you want to remove in the Diagram pane to remove a table and any conditions (e.g.,
join, where clause) associated with the table.

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4
Query

Tutorial: Visually Build a Query


The Query Builder enables you to create a query without writing or editing SQL statements. Even if you are
familiar with SQL, the graphical interface makes it easier to create relationships and visualize the query.
Note: This procedure does not cover all of the possible steps of visually building a query. It only covers the
steps required to build a query for the scenario. See Building Queries Visually for more information.

Scenario
Your company wants to improve its global sales, starting with countries where it has
a customer base but generally low sales. You need to create a query that identifies
countries with less than $500,000 in sales for each of the last four fiscal years.
Note: This scenario uses the SH (Sales History) sample schema that comes with
Oracle 10g so you can follow the procedure.

To visually build a query based on this scenario


1. Connect to the database and select Tools | Query Builder | Query Builder.
2. Select the SH schema in the Object Explorer.
3. Drag the following tables from the Object Explorer to the Diagram pane: TIMES, SALES, CUSTOMERS,
and COUNTRIES.

Tips:
l Select Query Builder | Arrange Tables (ALT+Q+A) to have Toad arrange the tables in the
Diagram pane.
l You can press CTRL and select a table, and then drag the table into the Editor pane. Click the list
to create statements.
l You can also press CTRL and select all of the tables in the Object Explorer, and then drag them
into the Diagram pane. Toad automatically arranges the tables.
4. Add the following columns to the query by clicking each column:

Table Column
COUNTRIES COUNTRY_NAME
TIMES FISCAL_YEAR
SALES AMOUNT_SOLD

Tips:

l To view details for a table in the Diagram, click (F4). If a table is not selected, details for the
last selected table display.

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Query
l To remove a column from the query, click or drag column off grid.

5. Complete the following steps to group the data and sum the sales:
a. Select the Group By field in the COUNTRY_NAME column, and then click +. The Group By field
is in the Criteria pane, which is below the Diagram pane.
b. Select the Group By field in the FISCAL_YEAR column, and then click +.
c. Select the Aggregate Function field in the AMOUNT_SOLD column and select Sum. This sums
all of the sales per fiscal year per country.
Note: If you select a group by clause or aggregate function for a column, the rest of the columns
in the query must also have a group by clause or aggregate function.
6. Complete the following steps to select the fiscal year range:

a. Select the Where Condition field in the FISCAL_YEAR column and click . The Where
Condition window displays.

b. On the Form tab, select BETWEEN in the Operators field.


c. Select 1998 in the first Constant field.
d. Select 2001 in the second Constant field and click OK.
Note: The SH schema does not have current data. The 1998-2001 years provide the best data
for the purposes of this scenario.
7. Complete the following steps to select countries with less than $500,000 in sales:

a. Select the Having Condition field in the AMOUNT_SOLD column and click . The Having
Condition window displays.
b. On the Form tab, select < in the Operators field.
c. Select Sum in the Aggregate field.
d. Enter 500000 in the Constant field and click OK.
8. Select Ascending in the Sort field of the COUNTRY_NAME and FISCAL_YEAR columns.

9. Click .

The query results display in the Results tab. See "View Result Sets" on page 43 for more information.

10. To save the query, right-click the Query Builder tab and select Save File.
You can save a query and any results sets in a Toad editor file (.tef). This file format is useful for building
scripts that have large result sets that you do not want to continue executing or for saving results when
you have not finished building a script.

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Query
See Tutorial: Build a Subquery for a tutorial on creating a subquery.

Create Cross-Connection Queries


Use the Cross-Connection Query Builder or the Cross-Connection Editor to create a query that combines data
from multiple, dissimilar databases. For example, you can create a query that joins managers from a SQL Server
database to their employees in an Oracle database. (This is also often called a heterogeneous or cross-
database query.) Toad uses an enhanced query engine to implement advanced execution processes that are
specially designed to improve the performance of cross-connection queries.
Before creating a cross-connection query using an Oracle, Teradata or MySQL ODBC connection, please see
the special considerations listed at the end of this topic.

Note: This feature is available in the Toad Data Point Professional Edition only.

To build a cross-connection query visually


1. Select Tools | Build Query | Cross-Connection Query Builder.
Note: A blue banner along the right side of the Diagram pane indicates that you are in Cross-
Connection Query mode.
2. Drag tables and views from the Object Explorer to the Diagram pane.
3. Complete the query in the same manner as you would a non-cross-connection query, but note the
following exceptions.

Object Explorer Feature In Cross-Connection Query Mode...


Options Connection Treelist is the only view option available. In this option,
connections, databases, tables, and views are displayed in a treelist
in the Object Explorer window.
Filters Filters are especially useful in cross-connection queries to reduce
the number of objects displayed in the treelist in the Object Explorer
window.

Note: Review the "Considerations and Limitations of Cross-Connection Queries" section below.

To compose a cross-connection query in the editor


1. Select Tools | Edit | Cross-Connection SQL Editor.
Note: A blue banner along the right side of the Editor pane indicates that you are in Cross-Connection
Query mode.
2. Compose the SQL statement in the same manner as you would a non-cross-connection query, but note
the following exceptions.

SQL Editor Task In Cross-Connection Query Mode...


Naming tables and views To reference a table or view, you must use a cross-connection fully-
qualified name. The format for a cross-connection fully-qualified
name depends on the database. The following is an example using
the SQL Server format:
<database connection
string>.<database>.<schema>.<table>

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Query
SQL Editor Task In Cross-Connection Query Mode...
'sqlserverconn'.database.dbo.table
Note: For the database connection string, use the connection string
displayed in the Navigation Manager window for each connection
(or in the Name field in Connection Properties).
Tip: Copy and paste a SQL statement from a single connection
editor to a cross-connection editor and Toad automatically changes
the syntax of the statement to include the cross-connection fully-
qualified names.
Using alias names You must use alias names for tables and columns in a cross-
connection query.
Using code completion In Cross-Connection Query mode, the scope of available options in
code completion expands to include the databases, tables, and
views for all the open database connections.
Tip: To expand/collapse a database node in the code completion
list, use CTRL+left arrow and CTRL+right arrow.

Tips:
l In a cross-connection code completion list, the selected database displays a descriptive tooltip
containing database and connection information.
l Use the Database Diagram tool to create and save cross-connection relationships, and then send the
tables with their relationships already created to the Query Builder.

Considerations and Limitations of Cross-Connection


Queries
Review the following considerations and limitations before creating a cross-connection query.

Consideration/Limitation Description
Performance concerns A cross-connection query may take longer to execute than a query against a
single database because result sets from each database are retrieved and
combined to generate a single result set.
In the Professional edition of Toad Data Point, the enhanced execution
engine utilizes several optimizing techniques to improve the performance of
cross-connection queries.
ODBC driver support An ODBC driver can be selected for a single connection through each
connection's Properties dialog or globally through Tools | Options |
Database.
Using an Oracle connection in To use an Oracle connection in a cross-connection query, you must install
a cross-connection query an Oracle ODBC driver.
Note: The Oracle Full Install client includes an ODBC driver. However, if
you are using the Oracle Instant client (which may not include an ODBC
driver), you may need to install an Oracle ODBC driver.
Oracle Direct Connection You cannot use an Oracle Direct Connection in a cross-connection query.
Using a Teradata connection To use a Teradata connection in a cross-connection query, you must install
in a cross-connection query a Teradata ODBC driver.
Using a MySQL ODBC To use a MySQL ODBC connection in a cross-connection query, you must
connection in a cross- specify a database for the connection.
connection query

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Query
Consideration/Limitation Description
Result sets You cannot edit result sets.
Oracle Long Data Type Cross-connection query does not support Oracle long data types or Oracle
LOBs.

Reverse Engineer Queries


One way to build a query is to begin adding columns and creating joins in the Query Builder, and then send the
query to the editor to add more complex functionality, such as a UNION join. You can also send a query from the
editor to the Query Builder. For example, you inherited a large query when an employee left and you need to
edit it to resolve an issue. After looking at the query in the editor for some time, you still cannot decipher it. So,
you right-click the statement and select Send to Query Builder. Now that you can visually see how the tables
are referenced, you can identify and resolve the issue.

Considerations and Limitations in the Query Builder


Consider the following when reverse engineering a query using the Query Builder:

General Description
Single statement support The Query Builder only supports one statement at a time. If you add multiple
statements to the Query tab, only the first statement is used. If you make any
changes to the statement on the Diagram tab, the other statements are lost.
Quote identifiers If you selected the Quote Identifiers checkbox in Tools | Options
| Database | General and generate a query from the Query Builder in SQL
Server, the query cannot be reverse engineered.
ODBC support You must use ANSI SQL for the query.
Excel support Copying a generated query and attempting to reverse engineer that query
results in an error. This issue occurs because the parser defaults to Oracle
syntax, which does not understand quotation marks for fully qualified object
names. To avoid this issue, clear the Use fully qualified object names and
Use fully qualified column names checkboxes in Tools | Options
| Database | Query Builder or manually edit the query.
Non-ANSI joins (Oracle When sending a query from the Editor to the Query Builder, Toad
only) automatically uses ANSI joins. If you use Where clause joins, click to

disable ANSI joins. This converts the statement to the correct join.
Where Condition Description
Where condition does not If you send a query that contains a Where condition from the editor to the
display in the Criteria grid Query Builder, it displays in a Global Where clause bubble on the Diagram
after sending it to the Query pane instead of in the Where Condition field in the Criteria grid.
Builder from the Editor You can double-click the Global Where Clause bubble in the Diagram pane

or can click to edit it.


You can also use the Where condition fields in the Criteria grid to add new
Where conditions. Although they display in the grid, they are added to the
Global Where clause in the Query tab.
Where condition created in If you define a Where condition in the Criteria grid and edit any part of the
the Criteria grid of the query in the Query tab, the Where condition is removed from the Criteria
Diagram tab disappears grid and placed in a Global Where Clause bubble.
You can double-click the Global Where Clause bubble in the Diagram pane

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Query
or can click to edit it.
Having Condition Description
Having condition does not If you send a query that contains a Having condition from the editor to the
display in the Criteria grid Query Builder, it displays in a Global Having clause bubble on the Diagram
after sending it to the Query pane instead of in the Having Condition field in the Criteria grid.
Builder from the Editor You can double-click the Global Having Clause bubble in the Diagram

pane or can click to edit it.


You can also use the Having condition fields in the Criteria grid to add new
Having conditions. Although they display in the grid, they are added to the
Global Where clause in the Query tab.
Having condition created in If you define a Having condition in the Criteria grid and edit any part of the
the Criteria grid of the query in the Query tab, the Having condition is removed from the Criteria
Diagram tab disappears grid and placed in a Global Having Clause bubble.
You can double-click the Global Having Clause bubble in the Diagram

pane or can click to edit it.


Query Builder Diagram Tab Description
Comments and code When reverse engineering a statement from the editor or the Query tab and
regions removed after switching to the Diagram tab, if the statement contains a block comment or
making changes in the code region and you make a change in the Diagram tab, the comment or
Diagram tab code region is removed from the statement.
Same column cannot be You cannot use the same column more than once in the criteria grid. Even if
used in the criteria grid you create a separate alias for the second use of the column, that column is
created as a calculated field
Execute with different query If the query in the Diagram tab is different than the query in the Query tab,
in the Diagram and Query executing the query executes the SQL in the Query tab instead of the
tabs Diagram.
Save with different query in The Query Builder saves both the statement and diagram in the same file.
the Diagram and Query tabs The contents of the statement and diagram can be different without losing
changes.

To reverse engineer a query


1. Right-click a statement in the Editor, and select Send to Query Builder.See "About Editing SQL" on page
39 for more information.
or

Click in the Query Builder to send a statement to the Editor. Skip the remaining steps and continue to
edit the query. See "About Editing SQL" on page 39 for more information.
Troubleshooting: If the query cannot be modeled in the Diagram tab, a message displays and the
statement opens in the Query tab. This usually occurs because the graphical diagram cannot support
some functionality in the statement. You can view an explanation for this in the Output window or by
hovering over the syntax with a red underline ( ) in the Query tab. To continue, correct the error and

click to apply the change and open the Diagram tab.

2. Continue to build your query visually using the diagram.


3. Select the Query tab and make any additional edits. Indicators for an edited statement are as follows:

Inserted lines

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Modified or removed lines
Modified characters

Use the toolbar in the lower-right corner of the Query tab to modify the color used for
each indicator.

Caution: If you manually enter or update the statement in the Query tab, you must click to model
the query in the Diagram tab. If you do not do this and make additional changes in the Diagram tab,
any changes you made in the Query tab are lost.

4. Click to execute the query.

Tip: If you have multiple statements in the Editor and you want to send only one to the Query Builder, highlight
the statement, then right-click it and select Send to Query Builder.

Tutorial: Build a Subquery


In this tutorial you will create a subquery to use to filter your selection of address IDs to only those addresses
from specific regions.

To build a subquery
1. Connect to the Toad Sample (Access) database in the Navigation Manager.
2. Select Tools | Query Builder | Query Builder.
3. Drag the ADDRESS table to the Diagram pane.
4. Click these column names in the ADDRESS table to add the columns to the query:
l ADDRESS_ID
l REGION_ID
5. To add a subquery:

a. Select the Where field in the REGION_ID column and click . The Where Condition
editor displays.

b. Select the IN operator from the list, and then click Subquery.

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c. A child Query Builder window displays for you to use to build the subquery.
l The child (subquery) Query Builder window includes a Diagram pane, a Criteria
pane, and a Queries pane for navigating back and forth between subqueries and the
main query.

d. Drag the REGION table to the Diagram pane and select the REGION_ID column.

e. Select the Where field in the REGION_ID column and click . In the Where Condition editor,
select the In comparison operator, select Constant, and select the values 1 and 2.

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f. Your subquery window should look something like this:

g. Click to execute the subquery. Select the Results tab to review the result set
for the subquery.
6. Click the Query node in the Queries pane to return to the main query window. A call-out in the main
query Diagram pane indicates that the statement contains a subquery and identifies the column it is on.
Hover over the call-out to view the subquery statement.

7. Click to execute the main query.

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About Editing SQL
The editor combines a powerful SQL and procedure editor into a single interface.
Notes:
l See "Editor Shortcut Keys" on page 41 for more information about keyboard shortcuts used in the Editor.
l Toad has implemented a large script mode to improve performance when opening files larger than 2
MB. By default, when you open a large file, some features such as word wrap, syntax highlighting, and
the Script Map are disabled in the Editor. When a large script loads, a message indicates that you are in
large script mode in the right margin of the Editor. You can cancel large script mode by clearing the
option in Tools | Options | Editor | General.
l To show the Script Map, Script Results or Group Execute panes for the current Editor window select
Editor | Windows | <pane>.

To edit SQL
1. Select Tools | Edit | SQL Editor.
Note: You can query the worksheet from the Editor by entering a dollar sign ($) followed by a cell range
to limit the results similar to the following statement:
Select * from (MyWorksheet$A1:C10)

You can also query the entire worksheet by entering a dollar sign ($) after the worksheet name;
however, this returns empty rows and columns in the worksheet.
2. Review the following to help enter SQL:
l Code completion
l Script Map
l Code regions
l Code snippets
l Toad views

l SQL recall
l Add/remove application code
l View Objects at Cursor
l Macros to record keystrokes

3. Click to format the code.

4. Right-click a block of code in the Editor to see additional actions available in the context menu. For
example, you can turn a line into comment, uppercase or lowercase it, surround with snippet, set
numbered bookmark, collapse or expand nodes, send to Query Builder and etc. You can also right-click
an object (e.g. a table) and manage it as if in the Object Explorer.
5. Hold Alt + left-click and drag to select vertical blocks of text in Editor.

6. Select the block of code in the Editor, and click to validate the syntax.

Note: Toad undoes any changes to the object and data in the database after executing the script (notice
that the Result Sets tab is empty). To modify the object and data, you need to execute the script.

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7. Click Fetch n rows to specify the number of rows to initially retrieve when executing the query. You
can set a default value for this option in Tools | Options | Database | General. See General
Database Options .

8. Click to execute SQL on the current server or multiple servers at one time. In the Editor toolbar, the
execute SQL buttons are grouped under . The button will retain the function of the last execute
action for the active Editor window. If you switch to another Editor window, the button will change to
reflect the last action for that window.

9. Select the block of code in the Editor and click to create a stored procedure. Stored Procedure
creation dialog automatically recognizes procedure body and declared parameters.
Tips:
l Toad automatically saves a backup copy of any modified editor file in the Application Data Directory to
avoid losing your work. When you restart Toad after an unexpected close, Toad checks the timestamp on
the backup file against the original file, and opens the file that has the latest timestamp. The document
recovery option is in Tools | Options | Environment | General.
l You can save the current connection, SQL script, executed results, filters, and group execute
connections/results (if enabled) in a Toad editor file (.tef). This file format is useful for building scripts that
have large result sets that you do not want to continue executing or for saving results when you have not
finished building a script.
l Editor supports floating window mode.
l The script is automatically checked for syntax errors when executing current statement (F9), checking
syntax, changing database, or refreshing the Script Map. The syntax errors are listed in the Script
Results pane in the Messages tab.
l If you copy and paste a SQL statement from one editor window to another, Toad automatically rewrites
the statement to match the syntax of the connection for the second editor window.

Configure Editor Options


You can specify options for the look and behavior of the SQL Editor by using the Toad Options dialog.

To configure Editor options


1. Select Tools | Options.
2. To specify one of the following options, select the corresponding page in the Options dialog.

Option Description Page in Options Dialog


Display the tabs for the current connection only when using Tabbed Select Environment |
windows Interface
Change background color of the Editor Select Editor | General
Use connection color as background color Select Editor | General
Position Editor tab headers vertically Select Environment |
Interface
Set options to display line numbers, line modifications, and general text Select Editor | General
formatting
Specify options to automatically replace typed text with the correct Select Editor | Auto-replace
substitution text
Customize code formatting options including headers and layout Select Editor | Formatter
characteristics

Click here to view a video of this feature.

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Editor Shortcut Keys
You can assign individual shortcut keys in Keyboard options. You can also customize Toad to use the shortcut
keys of existing applications such as Toad for Oracle, SQL Navigator, or Query Analyzer in the Configuration
Wizard (Tools | Configuration Wizard).

Caution! If you have some global access keys assigned, make sure that Toad shortcut keys do not coincide
with them. When using such duplicating shortcut keys in Toad, the third party application commands,
assigned globally, will be performed instead of ones assigned by Toad.

The following table describes the default shortcut keys in Toad.

Frequently Used Functions Description


CTRL+PERIOD Displays the code completion list
F9 Execute current statement
F5 Execute all statements, in order, one at a time
CTRL+MINUS Comments the selected line
CTRL+SHIFT+MINUS Uncomments the selected line
CTRL+J Collapses all code regions
CTRL+M Expands all code regions
ALT+PAUSE Stops script execution
Bookmark Description
CTRL+SHIFT+0-9 Sets a numbered bookmark at the selected line
CTRL+0-9 Goes to the numbered bookmark
Case Description
CTRL+L Converts the selected text to lowercase
CTRL+U Converts the selected text to uppercase

Clipboard Description
CTRL+C Copies the selected text to the clipboard
CTRL+X Cuts the selected text for pasting in the clipboard
CTRL+V Pastes text from the clipboard
Code Completion Description
CTRL+PERIOD Displays code completion list
ENTER Selects an item and close the code completion list
CTRL+SPACE Selects an item without closing the code completion list
CTRL+<right arrow> Expands a node in the code completion list
CTRL+<left arrow> Collapses a node in the code completion list
Comment Description
CTRL+MINUS Comments the selected line
CTRL+SHIFT+MINUS Uncomments the selected line
Cursor Description

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HOME Moves the cursor to the beginning of the line
CTRL+HOME Moves the cursor to the beginning of the file
END Moves the cursor to the end of the line
CTRL+END Moves the cursor to the end of the file
Debugger Description
SHIFT+F12 Step from cursor
F7 Step into
SHIFT+F7 Step out
F8 Step over
F11 Run to breakpoint
F12 Run to cursor
CTRL+B Set breakpoint
CTRL+W Add watch at cursor
Delete Description
BACKSPACE Deletes the selected text (if text is selected); otherwise, deletes the
previous character
CTRL+BACKSPACE Deletes text to the beginning of the previous word
CTRL+SHIFT+DELETE Deletes the entire script
Find and Replace Description
CTRL+F Finds text
F3 Finds the next occurrence of text
SHIFT+F3 Finds the previous occurrence of text
CTRL+G Goes to line number
CTRL+I Performs an incremental search
CTRL+SHIFT+I Performs a reverse incremental search
Indent Description
TAB Indents the selected line
SHIFT+TAB Outdents the selected line
Macros Description
CTRL+SHIFT+R Starts/Stops recording a macro
CTRL+SHIFT+P Plays the recorded macro
Miscellaneous Description
F4 Invokes objects search
F4+SHIFT Describes the object next to the cursor
F6 Toggles between the Editor and Data Grid
CTRL+R Show/hide Results pane
CTRL+D Sends SQL to Query Builder
SHIFT+F8 Recalls the previous SQL statement
CTRL+á Scrolls up the window.

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CTRL+â Scrolls down the window
<auto-replace token>+SPACE Automatically replaces a misspelled word, inserts symbols, and
expands text.
Note: You can set autoreplace in Tools | Options | Editor |
Autoreplace.
CTRL+SPACE Displays the Code Snippets folder browser
<code snippet shortcut Inserts the code snippet template
name>+CTRL+SPACE
CTRL+DELETE Sets the column value for the current cell to Null in the data grid

View Result Sets


The Result Sets tab displays a data grid for executed SQL statements and scripts that return data.
If you occasionally closed the Results pane, you can restore it by selecting Editor | Windows | Script Results.

Visual Inspection Grid


You can easily review all (or the selected Result sets) in one Result Sets tab. Left-click and hold Shift or Ctrl to
select more than one Result sets of your script. Select All results to review all in one tab.

To enable view of all Result Sets in one Tab


l Check Options | Database | Script results | Enable all results view

Troubleshoot Data
l If you cannot edit data, click the red icon in the lower left corner of the grid, and then click OK on the
window that displays. You do not need to edit fields in this window.

l By default, auto commit is enabled and any row changes you make are automatically submitted to the
database. You can disable this option in Tools | Options | Environment | Grid.

Tips for Working with Data


To... Do this...
Pin a result set so it is not overwritten by a subsequent query in Click the push pin beside the result set:
the Editor or Query Builder.

Set the value of a cell to null. Press CTRL+DELETE.


Toggle between the Editor and Data Grid. Press F6.
Add column or group summary values Right-click the data and select Show
| Summary Footer Panel. Then, right-click
the Summary Footer Panel below the

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To... Do this...
column you want to add a summary total to
and select an option.
If you have grouped columns using the
Grouping panel (Show | Group Panel), you
can also add a summary total to grouped
records.
Apply a summary function to the data (Sum, Min, Max, Count, Right-click below the column you want to
Avg). apply the summary function (but above the
Navigation toolbar) and select an option.
Show or hide columns of data. Right-click a column heading in the data
grid and select Column Chooser.
Display data in a report, pivot grid, or chart. Right-click the data and select Send To
|<option>.
Compare differences between two data sets. Right-click the data and select Compare
To.
Display the data in a grid or card view; grid view is useful for Right-click a record and select Show |Grid
viewing summary information at a glance; card view is useful for View or Card View.
viewing information in greater detail.
View multi-line text in the data grid as one-line text separated Right-click the data and select Show |
by spaces. Multi-line Text as One-line. When the
option is cleared, only the first line of the
multi-line text is shown. To see the full text
hover a mouse over a data grid or expand
it.

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Compare Differences in Data
You can compare result sets from the current editor or a different editor in the Database Explorer's Data tab or
the editor's Result Sets without having to save one of the sets to a file.
Notes:
l If you want to synchronize data, use Data Compare instead of the Data Diff Viewer.
l You cannot modify files in the Diff Viewer at this time.

To compare differences in data


1. Right-click data in the Editor's result set or Database Explorer's Data tab and select Compare To |
Set_number.

You can also save a result set and later use it as a historical comparison.
2. Review the differences.
Tips:
l To switch the contents of the left pane to the right pane, and the contents of the right pane to the

left, click .

l You can also open files to compare by clicking beside the drop-down list at the top
of each pane.
l You can show or hide tables that contain equal records, different records, etc., at any time using
the toolbar.

Export Data with One Click Export


Use One Click Export to quickly export data to an Excel report. You can also export data and include a linked
query in the file. A linked query lets you create a "live" Excel report that can be refreshed dynamically. Because
a linked query contains the underlying SQL for a report, each time you refresh the report the query executes and
retrieves the latest data. The dynamic nature of linked query reports makes them ideal for distribution to users
who need to see changes to data on demand without waiting for new static reports to be distributed.
Click here to view a video of this feature.
Notes:
l Before you can export to Excel, the Primary Interop Assemblies (PIAs) for your version of Excel must be
installed. Typically, the PIAs are installed automatically when you install Microsoft Office.
l Use the Export wizard if you need to specify column delimiters and advanced field options when
exporting data.

To export data in one click


1. Select the range of data to export or click any row in a data grid to export all data.
2. Right-click the selected range or data grid and select Quick Export.
3. Select an export option. Review the following for additional information:

Icon Option Description


Excel File Export data to an Excel file. The file is automatically saved under a

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Icon Option Description
default name in the default export folder.
CSV File Export data to a CSV file (comma separated value file). The file is
automatically saved under a default name in the default export folder.
HTML File Export data to an HTML file. The file is automatically saved under a
default name in the default export folder.
Excel Instance Export data to an Excel instance. Data is copied to a clipboard, Excel is
launched, and a worksheet is populated with data. You can save the
worksheet under a name and folder you specify or save it in the default
export folder.
Excel Instance at Export data to an active cell in Excel. First open Excel and select a cell.
active cell Then select the Excel Instance at active cell option.
Excel Pivot Table Export data to an Excel pivot grid report. See the Excel documentation
for information on creating a Pivot Table report with external data.
Excel Pivot Table Export data to an active cell for an Excel Pivot Table report. First open
at active cell Excel and select a cell. Then select the Excel Pivot Table at active
cell option.
Excel Linked Export the underlying query for data to Excel.
Query
Excel Linked Export the underlying query for data to an active cell in Excel. First
Query at active open Excel and select a cell. Then select the Excel Linked Query at
cell active cell option.
Excel Linked Export the underlying query for data to an Excel Pivot Table report. See
Query with pivot the Excel documentation for information on creating a pivot grid report
table with external data.
Excel Linked Export the underlying query for data to an active cell for an Excel Pivot
Query at active Table report. First open Excel and select a cell. Then select the Excel
cell with pivot Linked Query at active cell with pivot table option.
table
Excel Column Export data to an Excel chart instance. Data is copied to the clipboard,
Chart Excel is launched, and a chart is created with the data. You can then
modify the chart's design and save the Excel file.

Tip: To refresh data in a linked query report, click in Excel's External Data toolbar. This executes
the underlying query for the report. See "Share Excel Linked Queries" on page 47 for more
information about creating and using linked queries.

Note: If the window containing data does not have the focus when you select a One Click Export option, the
following message displays: "Export did not find any results sets to process."

Tips:
l To specify a default export folder, go to Tools | Options | Environment | Export.
l To always open a Save File dialog when exporting using One Click Export, go to Tools | Options
| Environment | Export and select the option. This allows you to always customize the file name.

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Share Excel Linked Queries
You can use linked queries to create "live" Excel reports that can be refreshed dynamically. Because a linked
query contains the underlying SQL for a report, each time you refresh the report the query is executed and the
latest data is retrieved. The dynamic nature of linked query reports makes them ideal for distribution to users
who need to see changes to data without waiting for scheduled updates or for new reports to be distributed.
Notes:
l Any user who opens an Excel linked query must have access to a user name and password for the
queried database to refresh the data. If a user does not have access to the database, they can only see
the original data in the spreadsheet.
l If the Excel linked query was created from an ODBC connection that uses a Data Source Name (DSN),
the DSN must also exist on the computer where the Excel file is opened to refresh the data.

Scenario
You need to create an Excel linked query so that the Regional Sales Manager, can
track whether the Sales Representatives in his region meet their monthly and
quarterly goals. By providing a linked query, you only have to create the query once,
and then the Regional Sales Manager can refresh the data at any time to view the
latest sales information.

To create an Excel linked query


1. Connect to the database.
2. Create a query in the Query Builder or Editor.
3. Execute the query to display data results.
4. Select the result set and click one of the following options from the toolbar:

5. Save the Excel spreadsheet.


6. Email or upload the spreadsheet to a shared network folder to share it with colleagues.

To refresh data in an Excel linked query


1. Open the spreadsheet with the linked query in Excel. The original data from the query displays.
2. In Excel, select Data | Refresh to update the original data with the current data.
3. If prompted, enter a user name and password to connect to the database and refresh the data.
or
If the following error displays: "[Microsoft][ODBC Driver Manager] Data source name not found and no
default driver specified", you must specify the DSN used by the query on your computer. Complete the
following steps to resolve this issue:
(Excel 2003)

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a. Click OK.
b. Select the Machine Data Source tab, and then click New.
c. Use the wizard to select a User Data Source and create a DSN that points to the database.
d. Click OK to return to Excel and open an ODBC Driver Connect window.
e. Enter a user name and password to refresh the data.

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5

Report
Tutorial: Create a Toad Data Report
Use the Data Report Designer to design reports visually. Stored in .tdr files, data reports are "live" reports that
can be refreshed dynamically. What makes them dynamic is that they contain the underlying queries for report
data sets. Each time a data report is opened, its query runs and the latest data is retrieved. The dynamic nature of
data reports makes them ideal for distribution to users who need to see changes to data without waiting for sched-
uled updates or for new reports to be distributed.

The process of creating a data report has the following steps:

l Step 1: Run the Toad Data Report Wizard

l Step 2: Update Fields

l Step 3: Use Styles to Format the Report Appearance

l Step 4: Update Bands and Add Controls

Note: This procedure does not cover all of the possible steps of creating a data report. It only covers the steps
required to create a report for the scenario. See About Designing Toad Data Reports for more information.

Scenario
Your company wants to improve its global sales, starting with countries where it has a customer base but
averages low sales. You created a query that displays countries with less than $500,000 in sales per fiscal
year, but now you need to create a report to help represent and evaluate the results. The data should be
grouped per country and show the total and average sales for each country. In addition, you want the report
to look similar to the rest of the company's documents, which use specific colors and fonts.
Note: This scenario uses the data generated in Visually Build a Query.

Step 1: Run the Toad Data Report Wizard


The Toad Data Report wizard creates an initial layout of the report based on options you select, including what
columns to include, whether to group data, and the basic style.

To run the wizard


1. Right-click the data grid in the Results tab and select Send To | Data Report Designer. The Toad
Report Designer displays.

2. Select Standard Report and click Next.

3. Click to include all columns in the report and click Next.

4. Select COUNTRY_NAME and click , and then click Next. This groups the data by the country name so
that each country is listed as a heading and its sales per year display below it.

Tip: You can create a secondary group by selecting another column and clicking again. A secondary
group is not appropriate for this scenario, but it would be if the data included regions in each country or
fiscal quarters. You would need to make the region or fiscal quarter a secondary group for the data to be
organized appropriately.

5. Select the Sum and Avg checkboxes for the SUM(SALES.AMOUNT) row, and then click Next. These
options calculate the sum and average sales amount for each country.

6. Select Outline 1 and click Next.

Tip: The Outline and Align Left options are good choices if you grouped the data.

7. Select Casual and click Next.

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8. Enter Countries with Sales Less Than $500,000 in the Report Title field, and then click Finish. The initial
report layout displays in the Report window with the information grouped under bands.

9. Click Preview to see what the report looks like in print. Previewing the report makes it easier to see how
the bands and their content display in the printable report.

Step 2: Update Fields


You can move, rename, and update the category of a field.

To update the fields


1. Complete the following steps to update the field category:

a. Select the FISCAL_YEAR field in detailBand1.

b. Click directly above the field.

c. Click by the Format String field.

d. Clear the Prefix field and click OK.

2. Double-click the following fields and enter their new name:

Field Band Name

FISCAL YEAR groupHeaderBand2 Fiscal Year

SUM(SALES.AMOUNT_SOLD) groupHeaderBand2 Sales Amount

Avg groupFooterBand1 Average

3. Select the following fields one at a time and make them wide enough to see the full text: Sum (groupFoot-
erBand1), Average (groupFooterBand1), and Grand Total (reportFooterBand1).

4. Select the following fields one at a time and drag them to the one inch mark on the ruler: Sum, Average,
and Grand Total.

5. Right-click the COUNTRY NAME field (not the COUNTRY_NAME field on the right) in groupHeaderBand1
and select Delete.

Note: The COUNTRY NAME field is a label that precedes the COUNTRY_NAME field value. If you preview
the report before you delete the COUNTRY NAME field, the country displays as 'COUNTRY NAME Argen-
tina'. It is clear that Argentina is the country name, so this field is redundant.

6. Select the COUNTRY_NAME field and drag it to align with the report title.

7. Select the COUNTRY_NAME field and make it three inches wide to accommodate long country names.

Step 3: Use Styles to Format the Report Appearance


The Data Report Designer uses styles to format different objects and kinds of data. Once you define a style, you
can apply it to similar fields to create a consistent and easy-to-update design.

To create, update, and apply styles


1. Complete the following steps to update the report title style:

a. Select the Styles field in the Properties pane.

b. Click . The Styles Editor window displays.

c. Select Title.

d. Select the Foreground Color field, and then select MidnightBlue in the Web tab.

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Note: All colors in this scenario are from the Web tab.

e. Select the Font field and click . The Font window displays.

f. Select 22 in the Size field and click OK.

2. Complete the following steps in the Styles Editor window to create and define four new styles:

a. Click four times in the Styles Editor window to create four new styles.

b. Set the following properties for the new styles:

First Style Properties

Name OddRow

Background Color WhiteSmoke

Border Color MidnightBlue

Borders Bottom

Font Tahoma, 10pt

Second Style Properties

Name EvenRow

Border Color MidnightBlue

Borders Bottom

Font Tahoma, 10pt

Third Style Properties

Name TableHeading

Background Color MidnightBlue

Font Tahoma, 10pt, bold

Foreground Color White

Fourth Style Properties

Name CountryName

Font Tahoma, 14pt, bold

Foreground Color Black

3. Complete the following steps to apply the new styles:

a. Expand the Styles field in the Properties pane.

b. Select TableHeading in the Style field (under Styles) for the Fiscal Year and Sales Amount
fields in groupHeaderBand2.

c. Set the following fields for [FISCAL_YEAR] and [SUM(SALES.AMOUNT_SOLD)] in detailBand1:

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Field Property

Even Style EvenRow

Odd Style OddRow

d. Select the COUNTRY_NAME field in groupHeaderBand1 and then select CountryName in the Style
field.

Step 4: Update Bands and Add Controls


Bands group the information layout in the report and you can add controls to include additional tables, images,
fields, and other items in the report. For the scenario, you will expand bands, delete a band, and add a control.

1. Right-click pageHeaderBand1 and select Delete.

2. Complete the following steps to add a line under the report title:

a. Select the groupHeaderBand1 and move it down half an inch.

Tip: It is helpful to expand a band before adding controls to give you plenty of room in which to
work.

b. Drag Line from the Toolbox into reportHeaderBand1.

c. Expand it to the width of the page.

d. Drag and position it directly below the report title.

e. Enter 2 in the Line Width field in the Properties pane.

3. Select reportFooterBand1 and drag it down half an inch. This adds white space between the country
information.

The Data Report Designer displays with the following layout:

4. Click Preview.

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The print preview displays with the following layout:

5. To save the report, right-click the Data Report Designer tab and select Save File.

Manage Reports
About Managing Reports
Use the Report Manager to create and organize data reports, add existing Toad or Excel reports, or generate
reports.

To create a report
1. Select Tools | Reports | Report Manager from the menu.

2. Right-click a folder and select Create Report.

3. Complete the wizard and design the report.

4. Save the report.

5. To add the report to the Reports Manager window:

a. Navigate to the open Reports Manager window.

b. Right-click the folder where you want to add the report, and select Add Existing Report.

To generate an existing report

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1. Select Tools | Reports | Report Manager from the menu.

2. Double-click the existing report.

3. Review the following for additional information:

Direction Select the direction of variable from the list.

Value Enter the value of the variable.


Note: Enter a percent (%) in this field to generate all values.

Tips:

l To add an existing Toad or Excel report to the Report Manager, right-click the Report Manager window and
select Add Existing Report.

l To send a Toad or Excel report via email or to a shared folder or other location, right-click the report, select
Send To, and then select an option.

l To share reports with other users, specify a shared network directory in Network Share Options (Tools |
Options | Environment | Network Share).

DB2 Reports
The following reports are available from the Reports Manager (Tools | Reports | Reports Manager).

Report Name Description

Activity Lists and describes activity reports that the Activity Monitor for the current DB2 for LUW
database uses. This report also lists the switches required to gather data for a specific
activity report. Toad uses the AM_BASE_RPTS table function to generate this report.

ADMIN_LIST_HIST_ Displays information from the database history table for the DB2 for LUW database par-
V82 tition to which Toad is currently connected. Toad uses the ADMIN_LIST_HIST table func-
tion to generate this report.

Database Partitions Shows information about each database partition on the current DB2 for LUW database.
Toad uses the DB_PARTITIONS function to gather this information from db2nodes.cfg.

DB Manager Config Lists the database manager configuration parameters and their values defined for the
Info current DB2 for LUW database.

HEALTH_CONT_HI Shows the current "health" status of all containers that tablespaces in the current DB2
for LUW database use. Toad uses the HEALTH_CONT_HI table function to generate this
report.

HEALTH_CONT_HI_ Shows a "health" history for all containers that the tablespaces in the current DB2 for
HIS LUW database use. Toad uses the HEALTH_CONT_HI_HIS table function to generate this
report.

HEALTH_CONT_ Identifies the containers that tablespaces in the current DB2 for LUW database use and
INFO lists the highest current alert status for each container. Toad uses the HEALTH_CONT_
INFO table function to generate this report.

HEALTH_DB_HI Shows the "health" status of the current DB2 for LUW database, including its highest cur-
rent alert status. Toad uses the HEALTH_DB_HI table function to generate this report.

HEALTH_DB_HI_ Shows the "health" history of the current DB2 for LUW database. Toad uses the
HIS HEALTH_DB_HI_HIS table function to generate this report.

HEALTH_DB_HIC Shows the "health" status of objects in the current DB2 for LUW database. Toad uses the
HEALTH_DB_HIC table function to generate this report.s

HEALTH_DB_HIC_ Displays a "health" history for objects in the current DB2 for LUW database. Toad uses
HIS the HEALTH_DB_HIC_HIS table function to generate this report.

HEALTH_DB_INFO Shows the highest current alert status for the current DB2 for LUW database. Toad uses
the HEALTH_DB_INFO table function to generate this report.

HEALTH_DBM_HI Shows the "health" status for the current DB2 for LUW instance. Toad uses the HEALTH_

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Report Name Description

DBM_HI table function to generate this report.

HEALTH_DBM_HI_ Shows a "health" history at the database manager level for the current DB2 for LUW
HIS instance. Toad uses the HEALTH_DBM_HI_HIS table function to generate this report.

HEALTH_DBM_INFO Shows the highest current alert status for the current DB2 for LUW instance. Toad uses
the HEALTH_DBM_INFO table function to generate this report.

HEALTH_TBS_HI Shows the "health" status of all tablespaces in the current DB2 for LUW database. Toad
uses the HEALTH_TBS_HI table function to generate this report.

HEALTH_TBS_HI_ Shows a "health" history for tablespace in the current DB2 for LUW database. Toad uses
HIS the HEALTH_TBS_HI_HIS table function to generate this report.

HEALTH_TBS_INFO Shows the highest current alert status for each tablespace in the current DB2 for LUW
database. Toad uses the HEALTH_TBS_INFO table function to generate this report.

Index Statistics Displays statistics for the indexes under the current schema for the DB2 for LUW data-
base and flags those indexes that need reorganization. Toad uses the REORGCHK_IX_
STATS procedure to generate this report.

Installed DB2 Lists the DB2 for LUW 9 products currently installed on your system. Toad uses the
Products ENV_GET_PROD_INFO table function to generate this report. Products can include the fol-
lowing: RTCL DB2 Run-Time Client CONSV DB2 Connect Server (any edition) CONPE DB2
Connect Personal Edition

Installed DB2 Lists the DB2 for LUW 8 products currently installed on your system. Toad uses the
Products_V82 ENV_GET_PROD_INFO table function to generate this report. Products can include the fol-
lowing:

l ADCL DB2—Application Development Client

l ADMCL DB2—Administration Client

l CONEE DB2—Connect Enterprise Edition, DB2 Connect Unlimited Edition, or DB2


Connect Application Server Edition

l CONPE DB2—Connect Personal Edition

l CUBE DB2—Cube Views

l DLM DB2—Data Links Manager

l ESE DB2—Enterprise Server Edition

l EXP DB2—Express Edition or DB2 Express Edition processor option

l GSE DB2—Spatial extender

l PE DB2—Personal Edition

l QP DB2—Query patroller

l RTCL DB2—Run time client

l WM DB2—Warehouse Manager

l WSUE DB2—Workgroup Server Unlimited Edition

Instance Inform- Lists details about the current DB2 for LUW instance. Toad uses the ENV_GET_INST_
ation_V82 INFO table function to generate this report.

Recommendations Provides recommendations (in English) for the various activity reports that the activity
for Activity Reports monitor uses. Toad uses the AM_BASE_RPT_RECOMS table function to generate this
report.

SNAP_GET_ Displays information and statistics about each container that tablespaces in the current
CONTAINER _V82 DB2 for LUW 8 database use. To generate this report, Toad uses the SNAP_GET_
CONTAINER table function to retrieve information from the tablespace_container logical
data group.

SNAP_GET_DB_V82 Lists information and statistics captured for the current DB2 for LUW 8 database. To gen-

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Report Name Description

erate this report, Toad uses the SNAP_GET_DB table function to retrieve information
from the database and detail_log logical data groups.

SNAP_GET_DYN_ Lists statistics and information about the dynamic SQL statements executed against the
SQL_V82 current DB2 for LUW 8 database use. To generate this report, Toad uses the SNAP_GET_
DYN_SQL table function to retrieve information from the dynsql logical data group.

SNAP_GET_TAB_ Lists information and statistics about the tables in the current DB2 for LUW database 8.
V82 To generate the report, Toad uses the SNAP_GET_TAB table function to retrieve inform-
ation from the table logical data group.

SNAP_GET_TBSP_ Lists information and statistics for the database partitions that make up each tablespace
PART_V82 in the current DB2 for LUW 8 database. To generate this report, use the SNAP_GET_
TBSP_PART table function to retrieve information from the tablespace_nodeinfo logical
data group.

SNAP_GET_TBSP_ Lists information and statistics for each tablespace in the current DB2 for LUW 8 data-
V82 base. To generate the report, Toad uses the SNAP_GET_TBSP table function to retrieve
information from the tablespace logical data group.

SNAPSHOT_ Lists the agents working for the various applications connected to the current DB2 for
AGENT_V82 LUW 8 database. To generate the report, Toad uses the SNAPSHOT_AGENT function to
retrieve information from the application snapshot, especially from the agent logical
group.

System Inform- Displays information about the operating system in which the current DB2 for LUW 8
ation_V82 database operates and about the CPUs configured on this operating system. Toad uses
the ENV_GET_SYS_INFO table function to generate this report.

Table Statistics Displays statistics for the tables under the current schema in the DB2 for LUW database
Column View and flags those tables that need reorganization. Toad uses the REORGCHK_TB_STATS
procedure to generate this report.

Table Statistics Displays statistics for the tables under the current schema in the DB2 for LUW database
and flags those tables that need reorganization. Toad uses the REORGCHK_TB_STATS
procedure to generate this report.

MySQL Reports
The following reports are available from the Reports Manager (Tools | Reports | Reports Manager).

Report Name Description

Help Topic Displays the first 10 rows of the mysql.help_topic table.

ODBC Reports
The following reports are available for the Toad Sample Database in the Reports Manager (Tools | Reports
| Reports Manager):

Report Name Description

Customer orders Displays customer orders for contact IDs less than 10 from the Toad sample database. It
is an example of master detail display using a single result set.

Customer list Displays a list of customers from the Toad sample database.

Items to order Displays items in stock that have a quantity of less than 50 and should be reordered from
the Toad sample database.

Oracle Reports
The following reports are available from the Reports Manager (Tools | Reports | Reports Manager).

Cluster Reports

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Report Name Description

Clusters Displays cluster information, including the cluster type, definitions, storage parameters,
and affected tables.

Other Reports

Report Name Description

Invalid objects Displays any invalid objects for the selected schema and includes a subtotal of all invalid
objects for that owner.

Loads into shared Displays packages that have been loaded five or more times, into the Oracle shared pool.
pool Note: You must have DBA privileges for this report.

Non-system objects Displays any objects in the SYSTEM tablespace that are not owned by SYSTEM.
in SYSTEM tables

Oracle initialization Displays the values for all parameters defined in the PFILE for the selected user.
parameters

Tablespaces near Displays tablespaces that over 90% full, and do not have the autoextend feature enabled.
capacity

Total shared pool Displays the number of times objects in the shared pool were reloaded.
reload stats Note: You must have DBA privileges for this report.

User hit ratios Displays the buffer cache hit ratio users and includes consistent gets, blocked gets, and
physical reads.

User resource Displays values for resource usage such as CPU used and SQL*Net roundtrips for each
usage user.

Sequence reports

Report Name Description

Sequences Displays the sequences that are within 10% of the maximum value. Any sequences that
do not have a maximum value set, or those that cycle are excluded from the report.

Sequences near Displays the sequences that are within 10% of the maximum value. Any sequences that
max do not have a maximum value set, or those that cycle are excluded from the report.

Stored Program Reports

Report Name Description

Arguments of Displays any parameters required for the selected stored procedure.
stand-alone stored
programs

Object type bodies Displays the body or source code for a selected object.

Object types Displays the type of objects owned by a user, including whether the objects are valid
and when they were created or last modified.

Package bodies Displays the body or source code for a selected package

Package spe- Displays specifications for a selected package, including whether it is valid and when it
cifications was created or last modified.

Stand-alone stored Displays the source code for a stored program, including the type of program and the
programs last time DDL was generated.

Stored functions Displays a list of stored functions for a selected owner.

Stored object with Displays a list of all stored programs including their source.
source

Stored procedures Displays the source for stored procedures for a selected owner.

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Synonym Reports

Report Name Description

Synonyms Displays information for each synonym, including the owner, table owner and name, and
the DB link.

Table Reports

Report Name Description

Indexes Displays details for the index definition, storage parameters, and columns included in
the index.

Non-indexed tables Displays any tables that have not been indexed for the selected database.

Table comments Displays any comments for the selected table.

Tables & columns Displays all columns for a selected table, including the maximum transactions, used/free
blocks, free lists and groups, min/max extents, and columns included in this index.

Tables & indexes Displays any indexes for a selected table, including the status, uniqueness, and columns
included in the index.

Trigger Reports

Report Name Description

Triggers & columns Displays triggers for a selected table, including the trigger event, status, WHEN clause,
and columns associated with the trigger.

User-defined Reports

Report Name Description

Sample Displays a sample user report based on a select * from dual query.

View Reports

Report Name Description

View comments Displays any comments for the selected view.

Views & columns Displays all columns for a selected view, including the query and columns included in
the view.

SQL Server Reports


The following reports are available from the Reports Manager (Tools | Reports | Reports Manager).

DBA Reports

Report Name Description

All jobs Displays all scheduled SQL Server jobs and the job owner, organized by server.

Backup history Displays the backup start date, type, and device used for the backup for a specified data-
base for a set number of days.

Backup status Displays the database name, date of the last backup, days since the last backup, and the
type of backup performed.

Current lock report Displays any locks on the server, including the database name, object or index name,
type of lock, resource, mode, and status.

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Report Name Description

Database con- Displays configuration options for each database on the specified server.
figuration options

Database settings Displays any common options and their values for all the databases on your server.

Database user Displays the user name, roles, objects, granted/denied status, and column permissions
details for each database.

Display errors Displays a log file without entries for log backups. This is useful when you have a num-
ber of log backup entries and you need to locate non-backup errors.

Drive space usage Displays space for all databases on the server, including free space, space used, max-
imum size, and growth type.

Foreign key Displays tables in the order you can either populate or delete from them without violating
sequence any foreign key constraints. Objects with the lowest wave number indicate that they can
be deleted with the fewest number of foreign key references. Objects with the highest
wave number should be populated first.

Index description (SQL Server 2000 only) Displays all indexes for the current database sorted by table.
Index information includes whether it is clustered, unique, index keys, and the index
size. run frequency, and the maximum duration.

Job details (SQL Server 2000 only) Displays all SQL Server jobs, including whether they are sched-
uled, enabled, start date and time,

Row count for tables Displays the number of rows for all tables on a server that contain a clustered index.
with clustered index

Total rows and Displays the total number of rows and space used for each table or view in the current
space used database, including the reserved rows, unused rows, and index size. This report is sor-
ted in descending order by reserved rows.

User permissions Displays users permissions, grouped by role name and object type.

Other Reports (SQL Server 2005 only)

Report Name Description

Configuration change his- Displays a history of all sp_configure and Trace Flag Changes recorded by the
tory default trace.

Schema change history Displays a history of all committed DDL statement executions recorded by the
default trace.

Table Reports

Report Name Description

Indexes Displays index information for a selected table, including whether the index is
clustered, unique, ignores duplicate keys, allows page/row locks, and a list of
indexed columns.

Non-indexed tables Displays any tables that have not been indexed for the selected database.

Table constraints Displays any check constraints for a selected table, including whether the con-
straint is enabled, valid data, and affected columns.

Table extended prop- Displays any extended properties for a selected table.
erties

Table relationships Displays any foreign key constraints for a selected table, including whether the con-
straint is enabled, referenced tables, and referenced keys.

Tables and columns Displays all columns for a selected table, including the data type, default value,
whether it allows null values, and for SQL Server 2005 any extended properties.

Tables and indexes Displays any indexes for a selected table, including the name, columns included in
the index, and whether it is unique or clustered.

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User-defined Reports

Report Name Description

Stored procedures Displays stored procedures for a selected database, including their status, status,
replication information, schema version, statistics, and procedure text.

Publish and Share Reports


Toad provides multiple ways to publish and share information with your business community. Use the following
methods to publish and share information from the Project Manager, Reports Manager, and Automation.

l Email reports and files, including Database Diagrams, Query Builder queries, SQL scripts, and results for
reports, queries, and scripts.

l Share reports and files in a central location such as the Toad shared folder.

l Add reports and files to a ZIP folder or file.

l Publish reports and files to Toad Intelligence Central

You can use the following methods to publish and share information:

To email from... Do this...

Automation Drag the Send Email activity to the Automation workflow and attach files as
needed. The email is sent when the automation script executes.

To publish to a central loc- Do this...


ation from...

Project Manager, Right-click a report or file and select Send To | Toad Shared. The file is
Reports Manager sent to the Toad shared folder specified in Tools | Options | Environment
| Network Share.

Automation Drag the Copy File activity to the Automation workflow. Specify the file to copy
or move and a destination folder. This can be any folder, including the Toad
shared folder, or a network folder. The file is copied or moved when the auto-
mation script executes.

To send to a zip file... Do this...

Automation Drag the Zip File activity to the workflow. Add reports and files to the Zip file
and specify a file name with a .zip extension. The ZIP file can then be emailed
with the Send Email activity or copied with the Copy File activity.

To publish to Intelligence Do this...


Central from...

Project Manager, Right-click a file and select Send To | Publish File.


Reports Manager

Automation Drag the Publish Files activity to the Automation workflow. Add reports and
files created previously in the script or add other existing files.

Tips:

l To export a Toad report to a file that can be read by other applications, double-click a report in the Reports

Manager, click in the Report Preview window, select a file format, and add the file to a project. Share
or publish the file using the Project Manager functions.

l To capture report results in a file, add the Toad Report automation activity. This activity runs a Toad report
and saves the results in a file format you select. Share or publish the file using the Automation functions.

l To execute and save a query in a file, add the Select To File automation activity. This activity runs a query
or SQL script and exports the results to an Excel spreadsheet. Share or publish the spreadsheet using the
Automation functions.

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6
Automate

Getting Started with Automation


Summary

This tutorial helps you get started with Automation by giving you an overview of the Automation module and
then guiding you through the process of creating a basic script.
In this tutorial you will learn:
l How to use the Automation window
l How to create a basic script using the Select to File activity
l How to test and run a script
l How to schedule a script
l How to create a template for reusing an Automation activity

Watch a video version of this tutorial: Getting Started with Automation.

Note: The Automation module is disabled if Toad was installed with the Prohibit saving passwords
option selected.

Introduction
Toad provides an Automation utility that allows you to easily script database activities and schedule them using
the windows scheduler. In this way, database tasks can be automated to save you time. Toad Automation can
increase your productivity by allowing you to automate tasks that you perform repeatedly.
The Benefits of Using Automation
l Automating repeatable tasks allows you to be more productive and increases your efficiency.
l Toad Automation scripts are very flexible and extensible, allowing you to customized them to
your needs.
l You can create and use variables in Automation scripts. Variables allow you to make your scripts flexible
and to customize your scripts to different audience and company needs.
l You can incorporate a variety of templates into Automation scripts. Using templates in your scripts can
help you get the most out of automating your tasks. Templates include: Microsoft Excel® files, Export
Wizard templates, or Toad Report templates. You can even create an Automation activity template
allowing you to reuse an activity.
l There is no limit to the number of tasks you can include in an automation script.
l Toad Automation scripts are conveniently scheduled and run by the Windows scheduler. You can track
and manage your scheduled scripts using Toad or the Windows Scheduler interface.

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* Did You Know *

Opening the Automation Window


There are several ways to open an Automation window.
l To build a script from scratch, use one of the following methods to open an Automation window:
l Select Tools | Automation.
l Click the Automate button in the main toolbar.
l Click Automation in the Launch window.
l To build a script incorporating your current workflow, use the following steps:

1. In the Query Builder or Editor, build or enter your SQL statement.


2. Click Send to Automation in the Wizard bar.

Toad sends your SQL to the Automation Tutorial (Guided Tour) which opens in a separate
window.
3. Select a task and complete the wizard.
4. After you click Finish in the wizard, an Automation window opens containing your new script.
The script incorporates your SQL statement and the settings you specified in the wizard.

The Automation Window


1. To get started with Automation, open an Automation window by selecting Tools | Automation.
The Automation window consists of a Toolbox pane (along the left side of the window), a design pane
(top half of the window), and a details pane (bottom half of the window).

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Toolbox—Stores the Automation activities. Click an activity in the Toolbox to add it to the script design
pane. Activities are listed by category: Database, File, or System.
Script Design Pane—Graphically displays the script as a workflow. Use the script design pane to build
an Automation script. Drag an activity to the design pane to add the activity to a script.

Note: You must drag the activity to an Add Activity icon in the Automation workflow. When you see the
activity's icon displayed in the workflow, release the mouse button.
Details Pane—Displays an activity’s settings. Click an activity in the design pane to display its
configurable settings in the details pane. Use the details pane to specify the settings for each activity in
the script.
2. In the Toolbox, find the Database Activities group. Single-click the Select to File activity to add it to the
script design pane.
3. With the Select to File activity still selected in the script design pane, view the details pane. The details
pane allows you to configure settings for the selected activity. The input fields change depending on
which activity is currently selected in the design pane.
Note: The Activity Input tab is the tab where you will specify most of an activity's settings.

4. Click next to the Select to File activity. Toad uses this icon to indicate that more information is
required to complete the activity. Click or hover over the icon to display the missing information. Use this
icon to help you determine which input fields are required.
Note: This icon is also used to indicate a validation error, for example, when referencing a variable that
has not been created yet.

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5. Now click the Settings icon in the design pane. The details pane changes to display input fields for the
script’s settings. You can use this area to specify script error handling, logging level, and run
environment settings.

6. Click the Stop on Error button, if not already selected. This instructs the script to stop if an error is
encountered.
Note: You can also enable or disable the Stop on Error option for each individual activity. If you know
that a particular activity will have an error, you can disable the Stop on Error option for just that activity.
This option is located on the Activity Info tab for each activity.
7. In addition to selecting the Stop on Error option, enabling the Send email when error occurs and
Attach log file to email options is also preferred. This can be very useful if your script encounters an
error. Enabling your script to send an email notification on error, as well as on success, helps you to feel
confident that your processes are running as expected.
If you choose to enable these options, you must specify email settings. To specify email settings, click the
Compose Email button.
8. Keep this Automation script window open, and proceed to the next section.

Create a Basic Script


1. If you kept the previous Automation window open, you will have a basic script consisting of one activity,
the Select to File activity. Click on the Select to File activity in the design pane.
2. In the Activity Input tab, in the first text box, select a database connection, or use the default. The default
database connection for each database activity is always the currently-active open connection. To select
a different database connection, click and browse to a different connection.

Note: If you schedule a script to run against a password-protected database for which you did not save
the password in Toad, the script will error. To save the password, right-click the connection in the
Connection/Navigation Manager and select Properties. Enter the password and select the Save
Password option.
3. Now select an input. Most activities require an input, and in the Select to File activity the input is a SQL
statement. You can input a SQL statement using one of the following methods:
l Manually enter a SQL statement in the editor box (deselect the Link SQL file option).

l Click to browse to and select a SQL file.

l Select Link SQL file, then click to browse to and select a SQL file. This option retains a link to
the SQL file.

l Click to open the SQL file (you previously selected) in the Editor where you can
modify the SQL.
l Select Link SQL file, then click the drop-down list to select a file from the currently open project in
the Project Manager.

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4. After selecting or entering your SQL statement, select an output. Select Excel in the Type field in the
Export File section.

5. Click in the Name field and select a location and enter a name for your new Excel file.

6. You can also add a suffix to the file name. In the suffix field, click the drop-down to select a datetime

stamp, or click to build an expression. You can use this method to add a variable or a custom
datetime stamp. Appending a datetime stamp to the file name allows you to create a unique file with
each script execution.
7. You now have a complete activity, with input, output, and database connection specifications. You can
save and reuse this activity in other scripts by saving the activity as a template. To do this, right-click the
activity (after configuring all the settings) and select Save As Template. Enter a name for your template
and click OK to save it.
Your template now appears in the Toolbox in the Templates category.

8. Keep the Automation script window open and proceed to the next section.

Test and Run Your Script


1. To test your script, click Run in the Wizard bar.
2. Toad will prompt you to save your script (if you have not already done so). In the Save As dialog, select a
location, enter a file name, and click Save.

3. Toad then validates your entries and compiles the script. If these processes are successful, the
script runs.
4. While the script is running, Toad displays your script’s execution progress in the Log tab. The message
“Done” indicates script execution is finished.

5. When a script produces an output file, a hyperlink to the output file is included in the Log. If your script
ran successfully, click the output file hyperlink to view the new Excel file created by your script.
6. Click the Settings icon to return to the script’s settings.

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7. If you require a more detailed Log, you can change the logging level. In the Settings Activity Input tab,
select Verbose from the Logging level drop-down list to create a more detailed log.
Note: If you want to change the location of the Log file, select a new location in the Logging folder
input field.
8. Toad allows you to specify both a Test database connection and a Production database connection for
each script. Toad also allows you to specify which connection to run your script against when the script
executes. Both of these settings are made in the script’s settings. This feature allows you to easily test
your script in a test environment before running your script in the production environment.
To specify a test and a production database, make the selections in the Connection text box under
Test environment and Production environment in the Settings Activity Input tab. To select which of
these databases to run your script against, select Test or Production from the Select environment
drop-down list.
9. Click the Select to File activity to return to its settings. Then select the Activity Info tab.

10. If you remember from the overview of the Automation window, Toad allows you to enable or disable
each activity in a script. This can be helpful when building a script, as it allows you to test one particular
activity at a time by disabling the other activities.
In the Activity Info tab, click Disabled to disable the Select to File activity. Notice that the activity now
appears shaded in the design pane. To enable the activity again, click Enabled, or right-click the activity
in the design pane and select Enabled.

Schedule Your Script


Once you have thoroughly tested your script, you can schedule it.
1. To schedule your script, click Schedule in the Wizard bar.
2. The Job Manager window opens and a task properties dialog displays. The task properties dialog is pre-
populated with the information required to run your script as a scheduled task. You only need to
schedule it. (The Job Manager uses the Windows Scheduler.)

3. To schedule the script, select the Triggers tab. Then select the scheduling trigger and click Edit. In the
Edit Trigger dialog, ensure that the On a schedule trigger type is selected. Then specify a frequency, start
time, interval, etc.
4. Click OK to save your schedule. Click OK to save and close the task properties dialog.
5. Your task (script) is now listed in the Task List in the Job Manager. Double-click your task in the list to
open the task properties dialog again where you can make modifications, such as re-scheduling or
changing the script location. Use the Task List to review the status of your tasks (scheduled scripts).
6. By default, the scheduled task runs under your Windows account. If you change your Windows
password, you may also need to update the password in your scheduled task (depending on your
version of Windows). Click and select the task to update. Click OK and then enter your password
when prompted.

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7. After upgrading to a new version of Toad, you must migrate the scheduling tasks to the newer version.
See "Upgrade Automation Scripts and Scheduling Tasks" in the online help for more information.
8. Script Execution and Status. When Toad is in the process of executing a scheduled script, you will see
the Toad icon in the lower right corner of the Windows taskbar. To check the status of your scheduled
scripts, open the Job Manager (Tools | Administer | Job Manager) and select the Task List.
Now you have learned how to increase your productivity by using Toad Automation to handle your repetitive
reporting and deployment tasks!

Automate Exporting to Excel Reports


Summary
This tutorial walks you through the process of automating the task of exporting query results to simple Excel
reports. You will create three different, and very useful, simple Excel reports.
In this tutorial you will learn:
l How to use Automation to export query results to Excel
l How to use the Select to File activity in Automation
l How to automate an Excel report that appends a new worksheet with each execution
l How to automate an Excel report that uses multiple queries to produce multiple worksheets

Watch a video version of this tutorial: Automate Exporting Data to Excel.

Introduction
After creating a result set in Toad, you may need to send the results to your end users. The easiest way to
create a report containing query results is to export the data to an Excel file by right-clicking the data grid and
selecting Quick Export | File | Excel File. This action creates a basic Excel spreadsheet containing the result
set from the data grid.
If you want to create more than a basic spreadsheet and automate the process, Toad Automation helps you
build a variety of Excel reports, from simple worksheets to complex and attractive Excel reports.

In this introduction to automating Excel reports, you will learn how to automate the process of exporting data to a
variety of simple Excel reports.
Note: To learn how to get started with Automation, see Getting Started with Automation.

Create a Simple Excel Report


1. Select Tools | Automation.
2. Click the Select to File activity in the Database Activities pane of the Toolbox, or drag the activity from
the Toolbox to the Automation design window.

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3. When the Select to File activity is selected in the design window, the Activity Input tab displays. Select a
database connection in the first text box or use the default (the default is the currently-active open
connection).
4. Then select a SQL file or enter a SQL statement using one of the following methods:
l Manually enter a SQL statement in the editor (deselect the Link SQL file option).

l Click to browse to and select a SQL file.

l Select Link SQL file, then click to browse to and select a SQL file.

l Click to open the SQL file (you previously selected) in an editor where you can
modify the SQL.
l Select Link SQL file, then click the drop-down list to select a file from the currently open project in
the Project Manager.
5. Select Excel in the Type field in the Export to File section.

6. Click in the Name field to select a location and enter a name for your new Excel file, or you can select
an existing file.
Note: To specify more-detailed options for the Excel file, click the Export options button.
7. (Optional) You can choose to create a unique file by adding a suffix. In the suffix field, click the drop-

down to select a datetime stamp, or click to build an expression.

8. Select Overwrite if you want to overwrite the file.


Note: If you did not add a suffix, you can deselect Overwrite to append a new worksheet to the Excel file
with each script execution.
9. To save your Automation script, click Save in the Wizard bar. Then select a location and file name for
your script.
10. To test your script, click Run in the Wizard bar.
11. After the script executes, the Log tab displays. Click the hyperlink in the Log to view the Excel file.
12. To learn how to schedule your Automation script, see Schedule Your Script.

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That was simple, wasn't it. Now move on to the next example to learn how to create a slightly more complex
Excel report.

Create a Multi-Page Excel Report Using One Query


Suppose you want to create a new report each week from the same query while retaining the previous week’s
results. In this case, you want to append each week’s results as a new worksheet to a single Excel file. This is
an excellent option if you want to compare the results each week (or each day, month, etc.) to see how the data
is changing. (And Toad has several data compare features in the application to let you do that.)
1. Select Tools | Automation to open a new Automation window.
2. Click the Select to File activity in the Toolbox to add it to the Automation design window.
3. Select a database connection.
4. Select a SQL file or enter a SQL statement using one of the methods described in the first example.

5. Select Excel in the Type field in the Export to File section.

6. In the Name field, click to select a location and enter a name for your file.

7. Leave the suffix field blank (adding a date/time suffix could create a new file with each script execution
and this is not the objective of this example).
8. Deselect Overwrite (you do not want to overwrite the file).
9. Now click Export options. The Export options dialog opens.
10. In the Worksheet name field, enter a name to be used as the base worksheet name.
11. Select Append timestamp to named worksheet. This will append the date and time (that the data was
exported) to the base worksheet name. Click OK to save your settings and close the dialog.

12. Click Run to save and run your script.


13. Open the Excel file by clicking the link in the Log tab. Notice that the new worksheet’s name includes the
base name you specified suffixed with the timestamp.
14. Run the script a second time and open the file. A new worksheet with a new timestamp was added to the
Excel file.
The output of this script is one Excel file containing multiple worksheets. Each worksheet contains a result
set from one execution of the script. And each worksheet name records the date and time the result set
was exported.

Create a Multi-Page Excel Report Using Multiple


Queries
Another variation of the multi-page Excel report is to export the results of multiple queries. Each worksheet in the
Excel file will be populated with the result set of a different query. This can be accomplished by using a SQL file
that contains multiple SQL statements as the input file.

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1. To start, open a new Automation window.
2. Click the Select to File activity to add it to the design window.
3. Select a connection.
4. Select a SQL file or enter a SQL statement using one of the methods described in the first example.
However, this time use a file that contains multiple SQL statements (or enter multiple statements in
the editor).
5. Select Excel in the Type field in the Export to File section.

6. Click in the Name field to select a location and enter a name for your new Excel file.

7. Click Export options and make sure the Worksheet name field is blank.
Note: If the Worksheet name field is not blank, your script will export both result sets into the named
sheet, and the second result set will overwrite the first.

8. Selecting to overwrite the existing file or to add a date/time suffix to the file name is optional in
this example.
9. Click Run to save and run your script.
10. Open the new file by clicking the link in the Log tab. Notice that the file contains a separate worksheet for
the result set of each query.
The output of this script is one Excel file containing multiple worksheets. Each worksheet contains the result set
of a different query.

Schedule A Script
See Schedule Your Script to learn how to schedule the Automation script.

Automate Tasks
Use Automation to schedule a single script to run reports and queries, save results in Excel spreadsheets, and
distribute results to the business community via email. You can schedule scripts that perform long-running tasks
to run when database activity is light.

You can also use variables in automation scripts. With variables, you can update information that may be
different each time you run the script, such as the department name, revenue, fiscal quarter, or product name.
See "Using Variables in Automation" on page 91 for more information.
For example, assume you are an analyst at Nick's Flicks movie rentals. You need to run inventory and movie
rental reports on a daily basis and distribute them to managers of the inventory department. Using Toad, you
can create an automation script that runs the reports, exports them to Excel spreadsheets, and emails the
spreadsheets to the inventory department everyday at 2:00 AM.
Troubleshooting: You must surround a variable name with the # sign (for example, #sleep#).
Notes:
l Automation scripts are compatible with the version of Toad in which they are created.
l The Automation module is disabled if Toad was installed with the Prohibit saving passwords
option selected.

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To automate tasks
1. Select Tools | Automation.
2. Click Settings (icon) in the script design window and specify script settings. Enter settings in the bottom
pane. Review the following for additional information:

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Activity Input Tab
Stop or Select Stop On Error to stop the script if an error occurs.
continue on
Error
Send email Select this option to send an email on script error.
when error If selected, you must also click Compose Email to compose the email message
occurs and to edit the Email Server Settings.
Note: When you specify the error email settings, Toad saves your settings and
uses them in all subsequent automation scripts.
Use relative Select to convert all local file paths to relative paths in all activities in the script
path to find files (network file paths remain unchanged). This is useful if you want to share your
automation scripts with colleagues or place them on a shared network.
Toad makes the change the next time you run or save the script.
If you deselect this option later, the script reverts back to the original absolute
paths.
Note: Toad deselects this option when publishing a script to Intelligence Central.
Embed files into Embeds Toad input files into the script. This makes it easier to share the script
Automation with colleagues.
script Important: To use this option, deselect it, build your script, select input files, then
re-select this option. This allows Toad to collect and save the input file paths.
This option embeds Data Compare, Data Cleansing, Visualization, Pivot Grid,
Toad Data Report, and Import/Export template files. Scripts used by the Run
Automation Script activity are also embedded, as are SQL query files used as
input by an Import/Export template.
Important: Files linked using the Link to File option in the Select to File, Execute
Script, and Select to Editor with Results activities are not embedded [.sql, Editor
(.tef), and Query Builder (.tsm) files)].
Toad embeds the files the next time you run or save the script.
If necessary, at a later time you can deselect this option and then re-establish
links to the original files.
Note: Toad selects this option when publishing a script to Intelligence Central.
Truncate log Select to overwrite the log file each time the script runs.
Selected Use this area to specify a "test" database connection and a "production" database
environment connection and then easily switch between the two.
l Test—Select to run your script in test mode using the database
connection and other settings you specified under Test environment.
l Production—Select to run your script in production mode using the
database connection and other settings you specified under Production
environment.
Note: The Connection field under both environments defaults to the currently-
active open connection.
Variable names
l Root path—Enter a variable name or use the default name. Then use this
variable name in your script wherever you want to apply the path defined
under Root path in either the Test settings or the Production settings. The
path that is applied depends on which environment (Test or Production) is
selected at the time the script is executed.
l Run mode—Enter a variable name or use the default name. The value
assigned to this variable is either Test or Production, based on the

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environment selected at the time the script is executed.
Activity Info Tab
Name Enter a script name.

3. To build a script, single-click an activity in the Toolbox, or drag an activity from the Toolbox to the
Automation script design window. Repeat this process to add additional activities to your script.
Note: You must drag the activity to , then release the mouse button after you see the activity's
icon replace .
4. Click an activity in your script workflow in the design window and then specify the activity's properties in
the details pane (bottom pane). Repeat this process for each activity in your script. For a step by step
tutorial on building an Automation script, see Getting Started with Automation.
See the following topics for details about each activity and its properties:

l Use Database Automation Activities


l Use File Automation Activities
l Use System Automation Activities
Tip: You can save an activity and its settings as a template to reuse in other scripts. Right-click the
activity in the design window and select Save As Template. After you create the first template, a
Templates toolbox displays.
Note: Click Settings in the design window at any time to go back and review the Automation
script settings.
5. When you finish building your script, select one of the following actions from the Automation toolbar or
the Wizard bar:

Add to Project Add an automation script to the current project in the Project Manager. The
script is automatically placed in the project's Automation Scripts folder.
Save an automation script (.tas) in a folder on a local or network drive.
Save

Run Run an automation script before scheduling it. The script executes once and
the execution log is displayed in the Log window. Resolve any problems that
cause activities to fail, or disable failed activities before scheduling the script.
Tips:
l Press F5 to run the automation script.
l To view the script log, select the Log tab or select View | Output.
Publish Publish script to Toad Intelligence Central.

Schedule Schedule an automation script in the Job Manager. You can schedule a script
to execute once or to run periodically at a defined interval. See "Execute and
Schedule Automation Scripts" on page 95 for more information.

Important: To rename an Automation script file, do so through Toad (File | Save File As), not through Windows
Explorer. Renaming a script file using Toad ensures that log files are created correctly and properly synced with
their scripts.
Tips:
l Double-click an activity in the script design window to open the Activity Properties pane in a format used
in earlier versions of Toad.
l Right-click within the script design window and select Print Script to print the script's workflow diagram.

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Use Database Automation Activities
You can use the following activities in automation scripts.
Note: When building an automation script, you must have the appropriate connections open for database
activities.
Tip: You can save an activity and its settings as a template to reuse in other scripts. Right-click the activity in the
design window and select Save As Template. After you create the first template, a Templates toolbox displays.

Activity Description
Select to File Execute an existing SQL script, Query Builder file, or Editor file and export the results to
an Excel, HTML, or CSV file.

1. Select a database connection.


2. Select a SQL file or enter a SQL statement.
l Click the drop-down list to select a file from the currently open project in
the Project Manager.

l Click to browse to and select a SQL file.

l Click to open the SQL file in the Editor where you can modify the
SQL file.
l Enter a SQL statement in the editor. You must first deselect the Link SQL
file option.
3. RowCount variable—Enter a name for the row count variable or use the default.
The value assigned to this variable equals the number of rows returned from the
activity. See "Using Variables in Automation" on page 91 for more information.
4. Export File Type—Select an export file type.

5. Export File Name—Click to select a file location and enter a file name. To
use a variable as a suffix, enter the hash symbol before and after the variable
name (#VariableName#).

6. Suffix—Select a suffix to append to the file name. Select from the list of existing

suffixes, or click to select a variable or build a new suffix using the


expression editor.
7. Overwrite—Select to overwrite the file. If you did not add a suffix to the file name,
you can deselect Overwrite to append a new worksheet to the Excel file with
each script execution.
8. Export Options—Click to specify more export options.
l Worksheet name—Enter a worksheet name. For an existing file, select
the worksheet from the list. Overwrite must be deselected to display the
list.
To add a worksheet to an existing file, select Append worksheet from the
list and enter a new name.
l Append rows—Select to append to the selected worksheet.
l Start export at—Enter the column and row position at which to begin the
export.
Tip: After exporting your file, you can use a subsequent activity in your script to email

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Activity Description
the report, to zip the report in a zip folder, or to copy the report to another location.
Execute Script Execute an existing SQL script, Query Builder file, or Editor file. You can save the
results of the script in a variable or export the results to Local Storage or an Intelligence
Central dataset.
1. Select a database connection.
2. Select a SQL file or enter a SQL statement.
l Click the drop-down list to select a file from the currently open project in
the Project Manager.

l Click to browse to and select a SQL file.

l Click to open the SQL file in the Editor where you can modify the
SQL file.
l Enter a SQL statement in the editor. You must first deselect the Link SQL
file option.
3. Save result set in variable—Enter a name for the result variable, which contains
a data table with the results of the execution script.
Tip: You can use the result variable with the Loop Dataset activity. See "Use
System Automation Activities" on page 85 for more information.
4. Local Storage—To export the results to Local Storage, select a database and a
new or existing table (or snapshot).
5. Intelligence Central—To export the results to Intelligence Central as a dataset,
click Publishing Wizard and specify your publishing options.
Review the following for additional information:
l RowCount variable—Enter a name for the row count variable or use the default.
The value assigned to this variable equals the number of rows returned from the
activity. See "Using Variables in Automation" on page 91 for more information.
l Overwrite existing dataset—Select to overwrite an existing dataset with the
same name.
Select to Editor with Execute an existing SQL script or Query Builder query and save it and any results sets
Results in a Toad editor file (.tef).
This file format is useful for building scripts that have large result sets that you do not
want to continue executing or for saving results when you have not finished building a
script.
1. Select a database connection.
2. Select a SQL file or enter a SQL statement.
l Click the drop-down list to select a file from the currently open project in
the Project Manager.

l Click to browse to and select a SQL file.

l Click to open the SQL file in the Editor where you can modify the
SQL file.
l Enter a SQL statement in the editor. You must first deselect the Link SQL
file option.
3. Result saved in Editor file—You can select an Editor file from an open project or

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Activity Description

browse to select a file. Click to edit the selected file.


Tip: You can use a variable in this field by entering the hash symbol before and
after the variable name (#VariableName#).
4. Append results—Select to include the result set in the Editor file.
Review the following for additional information:
l RowCount variable—Enter a name for the row count variable or use the default.
The value assigned to this variable equals the number of rows returned from the
activity. See "Using Variables in Automation" on page 91 for more information.
l Suffix—Select a suffix to append to the file name. Select from the list of existing

suffixes, or click to select a variable or build a new suffix using the


expression editor.
Export Wizard Export data from databases, tables, views, or a query into a CSV, Excel, or other file.
Review the following for additional information:
l Export template—You can select an existing template, edit an existing template,
or create a new template.
Tip: You can use a variable in the file name to select an existing template file by
entering the hash symbol before and after the variable name
(#VariableName#).
l Use Automation Connection—Select this option to use the connection
associated with the Export Wizard activity. Clear the checkbox to use the
connection associated with the export template.
l RowCount variable—Enter a name for the row count variable or use the default.
The value assigned to this variable equals the number of rows returned from the
activity. See "Using Variables in Automation" on page 91 for more information.
Import Wizard Import data from a CSV, Excel, or other file into a new table or append to an existing
table. You can also import data from one database to another.
Review the following for additional information:
l Import template—You can select an existing template, edit an existing template,
or create a new template.
Tip: You can use a variable in the file name to select an existing template file by
entering the hash symbol before and after the variable name
(#VariableName#).
l Use Automation Connection—Select this option to use the connection
associated with the Import Wizard activity. Clear the checkbox to use the
connection associated with the import template.
l RowCount variable—Enter a name for the row count variable or use the default.
The value assigned to this variable equals the number of rows returned from the
activity. See "Using Variables in Automation" on page 91 for more information.
Toad Report Use this activity to open a Toad Data Report (executing the query) and then export the
results to a file using the layout specified in the Toad Data Report. Several export file
formats are available, including PDF, HTML, and Excel.
You can also select multiple Toad Data Reports and export the results to a single file.
Note: You must create a Toad Data Report file (.tdr) before you can select it using this
activity.
Review the following for additional information:
l Select a connection to execute the Toad Data Report query against.

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Activity Description
l Add Reports—Click to browse to and select one or more Toad Data Report files
(.tdr). Click the arrow and select From Project Manager to add the reports in the
currently-open project.
l Edit Report—Click to edit the selected report.
l RowCount variable—Enter a name for the row count variable or use the default.
The value assigned to this variable equals the number of rows returned from the
activity. See "Using Variables in Automation" on page 91 for more information.
l Export file—Enter a name and select a file type and location for your export file.
You can use a variable in this field by entering the hash symbol before and after
the variable name (#VariableName#).
l Suffix—Select a suffix to append to the file name. Select from the list of existing

suffixes, or click to select a variable or build a new suffix using the


expression editor.
Note: In most cases, the script uses the connection you specify in this activity. However,
when a Toad Data Report contains a cross-connection query, the cross-database
connection in the report takes precedence.
For more information about Toad Data Reports:
l Watch Automation and Toad Data Reports (video).
Toad Pivot Grid Open an existing Toad Pivot Grid file, execute the query, and export the data to Excel or
other file format, Local Storage, or Intelligence Central.
Note: You must create a Toad Pivot Grid file (.tpg) before you can select it using this
activity.
Review the following for additional information:
1. Select a connection to execute the Toad Pivot Grid file against.
2. Select an existing Toad Pivot Grid file. You can browse for a file or select from
the currently-open project. Click to edit the selected pivot file.

3. Export to file—Select a file type and enter a file name and location for your
export file. You can use a variable in this field by entering the hash symbol
before and after the variable name (#VariableName#).
l To export to an Excel pivot table, select Excel Pivot.
l Click Export Options to specify Excel file options.
4. Suffix—Select a suffix to append to the file name. Select from the list of existing

suffixes, or click to select a variable or build a new suffix using the


expression editor.
5. RowCount variable—Enter a name for the row count variable or use the default.
The value assigned to this variable equals the number of rows returned from the
activity. See "Using Variables in Automation" on page 91 for more information.
6. Export to—Select one of the following:
l Local Storage—To export pivoted data to Local Storage, select a
database and a new or existing table.
l Intelligence Central—To export pivoted data to Intelligence Central as a
dataset, click Publishing Wizard and specify your publishing options.
Profile Data Automate data profiling tasks. This activity profiles data from a selected query and
exports a report containing the profiling results.

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Activity Description
1. Select a database connection.
2. Select a SQL file or enter a SQL statement.
l Click the drop-down list to select a file from the currently open project in
the Project Manager.

l Click to browse to and select a SQL file.

l Click to edit the selected file.

l Enter a SQL statement in the editor.


3. To specify options for the profiling task, click Profiling Options.
4. Create Report—(Required) Select a location, select a file format, and enter a file
name for the exported report (PDF, HTML, etc).
5. Suffix—Select a suffix to append to the file name. Select from the list of existing

suffixes, or click to select a variable or build a new suffix using the


expression editor.
6. Export Data Profiling File—(Optional) Select a location and enter a file name for
the Toad Profiling Report file (.tpr).
Note: You cannot attach this file in subsequent activities in the script.
See Data Profiling for more information.
Clean Data Automate data transformation and cleansing tasks. This activity opens an existing Toad
Data Cleansing file, performs the transform and cleansing tasks on the current result
set, and exports the modified data to a file, Local Storage, or Intelligence Central.
1. Connection—Select a database connection.
2. Cleaning file—Select a Toad Data Cleansing file or edit an existing file using
one of the following methods:
l Click the drop-down list to select a file from the currently-open project in
the Project Manager.

l Click to browse to and select a file.

l Click to edit the selected file.

3. Error options—Click to specify error options.


4. Select one of the following actions:
l Export to a file—Select a file, or select a location and enter a new file
name. You can use a variable in this field by entering the hash symbol
before and after the variable name (#VariableName#).
l Local Storage—To export to Local Storage, select or create a database.
Then select or create a snapshot or table to receive the modified data.
l Intelligence Central—To export the results to Intelligence Central, click
Publishing Wizard and specify your publishing options.
Review the following for additional information:
l RowCount variable—Enter a name for the row count variable or use the default.
The value assigned to this variable equals the number of rows returned from the
activity. See "Using Variables in Automation" on page 91 for more information.

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Activity Description
l Suffix—Select a suffix to append to the file name. Select from the list of existing

suffixes, or click to select a variable or build a new suffix using the


expression editor.
See Transform and Cleanse Data for more information.
Visualize Data Open an existing Toad Data Visualization file (.tdv), refresh the chart, and export
contents as a report. Select from a number of output file formats, including PDF and
Excel.
l Data Visualization document—Select an existing Toad Data Visualization file.
l Output file—Select a file location, file name, and file type for your output file. You
can use a variable in this field by entering the hash symbol before and after the
variable name (#VariableName#).

l Suffix—Select a suffix to append to the file name. Select from the list of existing

suffixes, or click to select a variable or build a new suffix using the


expression editor.
See Visualize Data for more information.
Compare Data Open a Toad Data Compare project (.dcp) and export the contents as a summary report
and detailed object reports. Select from a number of output file formats for the summary
report, including PDF and Excel.
l Data Compare Project—Select an existing Toad Data Compare project file.
l Summary Report—Select a file location, file name, and file type for the
comparison summary report file.
l Object reports folder—Select a destination folder for the detailed object
comparison reports generated by the activity.
l Suffix—Select a suffix to append to the file name. Select from the list of existing

suffixes, or click to select a variable or build a new suffix using the


expression editor.
l Generate sync script—Select a location and enter a file name to generate a
synchronization script. Click to configure options for the synchronization
script.
l Execute script—Select to execute the generated script.
l Compare result variable—Enter a variable name or use the default. This
variable is assigned a value of True or False based on the results of the data
comparison.
See Create Data Comparisons for more information.
Refresh a Snapshot Use this activity to refresh a snapshot in Local Storage or in Toad Intelligence Central
(TIC). This action will update the snapshot to reflect the current data in the source table.
Select one of the following:
l Local Storage
l Database—Select the database containing the snapshot to refresh.
l Snapshot—Select the snapshot to refresh.
l Intelligence Central
l Select a destination—Select the TIC connection containing the snapshot

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Activity Description
to be refreshed.
l Datasource—Select the data source in TIC containing the snapshot to
refresh.
l Snapshot—Select the snapshot to refresh.
Database In previous versions of Toad, the Database Connection activity was required in order to
Connection specify database connection details.
In the current version of Toad, you can specify the database connection details within
each applicable activity, eliminating the need to use the Database activity. You may
continue to use the Database activity if you prefer.
Note: The database connection specified for the Database Connection activity takes
precedence over the connection specified for the individual activity.
Loop Connections Loops through multiple connections and executes the activities you specify. Add as
many activities as you want to the loop. The Loop Connections activity can have more
than one branch.
l Select connections to loop through—Click Add Connections to select one or
more connections to loop through.
l Connection description variable—Enter a new name for the variable or use the
default name. The connection description variable is a SQL-type variable
comprised of one row containing the connection information for the current
connection.
Use the following column names to gather connection information from the
connection description variable. The exact content of each column depends on
the provider type.

Column Name Description


DescriptionLong Description of the connection details.
ProviderType Provider type such as SQLServer, Oracle, or SAP ASE.
HostName Hostname or instance for the connection.
UserName User name.
TrueUserName If the connection supports and uses Windows
authentication (e.g., SQL Server connection) this column
contains the current Windows Logon name as:
domain\username (e.g., "PROD\bgates"). Otherwise, if
database authentication is used, it contains the same as
the UserName column.
Database Default Database context for the connection.

l Next, add activities to the loop to execute for each connection in the connection
list.
Note: The connections you specify in the Loop Connections activity take precedence
over any connection specified in an individual activity.
Dimensional Open an existing Dimensional View file, execute the query, and export the data to
Viewer Excel, Local Storage, or Intelligence Central.
1. Select an existing Dimensional View file.
2. Export to file—To export data to Excel or .csv, select a file type, a file location,
and a file name. Click Export Options to specify export options. In the Export
dialog, each tab represents a view.

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Activity Description
l Worksheet name—Enter a worksheet name. For an existing file, select
the worksheet from the list. Overwrite must be deselected to display the
list.
To add a worksheet to an existing file, select Append worksheet from the
list and enter a new name.
l Append rows—Select to append to the selected worksheet.
l Start export at—Enter the column and row position at which to begin the
export.
3. Export to:
l Local Storage—To export data to Local Storage, select a database.
l Intelligence Central—To publish the data to Intelligence Central as a
dataset, click Publishing Wizard and specify your publishing options.
See Dimensional Viewer for more information.
Notes:
l To disable an activity, right-click the activity in the design window and select Disabled. This is helpful if
you want to disable an activity while testing other activities.
l The Stop on Error option for each activity allows you to select whether to stop or continue execution if
Toad encounters an error during that activity.
l To prevent an error in one activity from causing a failure at the script level, clear the Generate Error
check box (Activity Info tab) for that activity.
l Select the Log tab to review a script's execution log.
l In the Suffix field, the drop-down list includes two predefined suffixes (Date and DateTime). The list
also includes any suffixes you have created and saved since installing Toad. To delete a suffix from

the list, select the suffix, click , delete the suffix in the Expression field, and click OK.
l Automation does not support positional parameters denoted by a question mark.
l For each applicable activity, you can specify the database connection in the activity's properties. The
default connection is the currently-active open connection.
l The connection associated with an activity takes precedence over the connection information in a
report or SQL script, unless the report or SQL script information is a cross-connection query.

Use File Automation Activities


You can use the following activities in automation scripts.
Tip: You can save an activity and its settings as a template to reuse in other scripts. Right-click the activity in the
design window and select Save As Template. After you create the first template, a Templates toolbox displays.

Activity Description
Copy File Copy or move one or more files to another location (for example, to a shared folder
where they can be accessed by your business community).
Review the following for additional information:
l Source file—Select the file to copy.
In this field, you can also use the asterisk (*) and question mark (?) wildcard
characters, as well as variables, in the file name to help you select one or more
files (in the same directory) to copy. To use this method:

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1. Specify the file directory by browsing to and selecting one of the files.
2. Then modify the file name in the Source file field using wildcard
characters and/or variables.
l Copy to folder—Select the destination folder into which you want to copy or move
the file or files.
l Copy name—To rename the copied or moved file, enter a new name.
Note: This field is only applicable when copying a single source file.
l Suffix—Select a suffix to append to the file name. Select from the list of existing

suffixes, or click to select a variable or build a new suffix using the expression
editor.

l Delete source file—Select to move the file from the source folder to the
destination folder. Deselect to copy the file to the destination folder.
l Retry—Specify the number of times to retry the copy action if an error or timeout
occurs.
l Wait—Specify the number of seconds to wait between retries.
Delete File Delete one or more files from one or more specified locations. You can also use this
activity to delete files that are created previously in the script.
Files to delete—Click Add Files to select one or more files to delete. In the File Collection
Editor, do one or both of the following:
l To delete files created previously in the script, select a file in the left pane and
click Add.
Note: When a file name is displayed for selection in the left pane, any variable
names that are used in the file name are visible (#MyVariable#), but suffixes are
not visible.

l To select other existing files, click to browse to and select the files.
In this field, you can also use the asterisk (*) and question mark (?) wildcard
characters, as well as variables, in the file name to help you select one or more
files (in the same directory) to delete. To use this method:

1. Specify the file directory by browsing to and selecting one of the files.
2. Then modify the file name in the Files to Delete pane using wildcard
characters and/or variables.
Note: As an example of using wildcards and variables, using the file name
MonthlyReport_#var#*.xls, where #var# is Feb, would delete all reports whose
file name begins with "MonthlyReport_Feb" in the same directory.
Log Comment Writes a comment to the scripts's log.
Log message—Enter the text of the comment you want to insert into the log when this
activity executes.
Zip/Unzip Files Create a zip file (compressed folder) and add files to it. You can add files created
previously in the script to the zip file. Use this activity to zip multiple files and then attach
the zip file to an email using the Email activity.
You can also use this activity to unzip a zip file.
Review the following for additional information:
Zip Tab
l Archive name—Select a location and name for the zip file. You can use a variable
in this field by entering the hash symbol before and after the variable name

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Activity Description
(#VariableName#).
l Suffix—Select a suffix to append to the file name. Select from the list of existing

suffixes, or click to select a variable or build a new suffix using the expression
editor.
l Password—Enter a password if you want to password protect the zip file.
l Hide password—Select this option to mask password during input.
l Encryption—Select whether to create a zip file without encryption (Standard) or to
encrypt the zip file.
Note: If you encrypt the zip file, you must have a zip utility that can support 128-bit
or 256-bit decryption.

l Zip all files in this directory—Select a directory. All files in the directory will be
added to the zip file. You can use both this field and the Source files field to
select files to add to the zip file.
l Source files—Click Add Files to select one or more files to add to the zip file. In
the File Collection Editor, do one or both of the following:
l To add files created previously in the script, select a file in the left pane
and click Add.
Note: When a file name is displayed for selection in the left pane, any
variable names that are used in the file name are visible (#MyVariable#),
but suffixes are not visible.

l To select other existing files, click to browse to and select the files.
In this field, you can also use the asterisk (*) and question mark (?)
wildcard characters, as well as variables, in the file name to help you
select one or more files (in the same directory) to add. To use this method:
1. Specify the file directory by browsing to and selecting one of the
files.
2. Then modify the file name in the Files to Archive pane using
wildcard characters and/or variables.

Unzip Tab
l Archive name—Select a zip file.
l Password—If password-protected, enter the password.
l Extract to folder—Select a location to extract the files to.
To learn how to use the Zip/Unzip Files activity, see the following:
l Automation and the Zip Activity (video)
Find and Replace This activity opens one or more files and performs find and replace actions inside the
files. You can write the results to a different location and file name.
Review the following for additional information:
l Find/Replace—You can have multiple Find/Replace tasks within one activity. You
can specify a different source file, save file, and action for each Find/Replace
task.
l Source file—Select the file in which to perform the find and replace action for the
selected Find/Replace task.
In this field, you can also use the asterisk (*) and question mark (?) wildcard
characters in the file name to help you select one or more files (in the same

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Activity Description
directory). To use this method:
1. Specify the file directory by browsing to and selecting one of the files.
2. Then modify the file name in the Source file field using the wildcard
characters.
l Find—Enter the content to find.
l Replace with—Select the type of replacement content: a value, contents from a
file, or a variable value.
l Set value—Enter the replacement value, select the replacement variable, or
select a file containing replacement content.
l Save file—Select a location and file name.
The source file is selected by default.

l Suffix—Select a suffix to append to the file name. Select from the list of existing

suffixes, or click to select a variable or build a new suffix using the expression
editor.
Note: Use drag and drop or up/down arrows to change the order of multiple
Find/Replace tasks in one activity.
To learn how to use the Find and Replace activity, see the following:
l Automate Find and Replace (video)
FTP File Upload or download one or more files using an FTP or SFTP connection. Review the
following for additional information:
l Select an FTP connection—Select an FTP connection or define a new
connection.
Note: You can define a new connection prior to using the FTP activity by
selecting View | FTP Connections.
l Transfer ONLY if—Select this option to set conditions for FTP transfer, and then
select a condition from the list. If you select this option, the FTP activity only runs if
the condition you specify is met.

l Local directory exists—Select this option to transfer only if a local directory


exists, then browse to and select the directory.
l Local file exists—Select this option to transfer only if a local file exists,
then enter the name of the local file.
l Remote directory exists—Select this option to transfer only if a remote
directory exists, then browse to and select the directory.
l Remote file exists—Select this option to transfer only if a remote file exists,
then enter the name of the remote file.
l Define Operations—Click to specify the files and other options for the FTP upload
or download task. Review the following for additional information:
o Operation—Select Upload or Download.
o Use file mask—Select this option if you want to select files by using a file
mask. Then specify file mask filtering options in the File Mask fields at the
bottom of the page.
o Move files—Select this option to move the files from the source location to
the target location instead of copying them.
l Retry—Specify the number of times to retry the FTP connection if it fails.

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l Wait—Specify the number of seconds to wait between retries.
To learn how to use the FTP activity, see the following:
l Automate FTP Upload and Download (video)
Publish Files Publish one or more files to Intelligence Central. You can select files created by previous
activities in this script or other existing files.
Review the following for additional information:
Files to Publish—Click Manage Files to select files created previously in this script or to
browse for other files to publish. In the File Collection Editor do one or both of the
following:
l Select one or more previously-created files in the left pane and click Add.

l Click and then browse to select an existing file.

Publishing Options—Click Publishing Wizard to select an Intelligence Central


connection and specify publishing options.
See Publish to Toad Intelligence Central for more information.
Notes:
l To disable an activity, right-click the activity in the design window and select Disabled. This is helpful if
you want to disable an activity while testing other activities.
l The Stop on Error option for each activity allows you to select whether to stop or continue execution if
Toad encounters an error during that activity.
l To prevent an error in one activity from causing a failure at the script level, clear the Generate Error
check box (Activity Info tab) for that activity.
l Select the Log tab to review a script's execution log.
l In the Suffix field, the drop-down list includes two predefined suffixes (Date and DateTime). The list
also includes any suffixes you have created and saved since installing Toad. To delete a suffix from

the list, select the suffix, click , delete the suffix in the Expression field, and click OK.
l Automation does not support positional parameters denoted by a question mark.

Tips:

l For activities in which you can add a suffix to the output file, click to build a suffix using the
expression editor.
l You can use the expression editor to select a variable created in a previous activity or select one of your
stored bind variables.

Use System Automation Activities


You can use the following activities in automation scripts.
Tip: You can save an activity and its settings as a template to reuse in other scripts. Right-click the activity in the
design window and select Save As Template. After you create the first template, a Templates toolbox displays.

Activity Description
Set Variable Automation variables are a powerful tool that can greatly extend your scripts by adding
flexibility and customization. You can use variables to represent and store data that
may be different each time the script executes. Variables can be used with almost every
Automation activity.

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Activity Description
Use this activity to define one or more variables.
Review the following for additional information:
l Variable name—Enter a name for the variable. When you use the variable
name later in the script, for example in a file name or in an expression, surround
the variable name with the hash symbol (#MyVariable#).
l Variable type—Specify a variable type.
l SQL—Select SQL if you plan to use the result set of a query as the
variable value.
l DateTime—See Using Variables in Automation for more information
about date variables.

l Variable value—Enter a value or click to build an expression.

l If you click to build an expression, select from the list of variables,


operators, and functions. Click a category in the left pane to display a list
of items in the right pane. Double-click an item to add it. Click Test to test
the expression.
l If you selected SQL as the variable type, the variable value options
expand to allow you to specify a query. Select a database connection,
then select a SQL file or enter a SQL statement. Toad uses the result set
of the query as the value for your variable.
See "Using Variables in Automation" on page 91 for more information
about SQL type variables.
l Prompt during run—Select this option to instruct Toad to prompt for a new
variable value during manual execution. The new value is used for the current
execution only. The default value specified in Variable value remains
unchanged. The default value is used for a scheduled script.

l Add—Click to specify an additional variable/value pair. Use Up and Down


buttons to reorder list.

To learn more about variables, see the following:


l Using Variables in Automation
l Automation and Variables (video)
Set Variable Value Use this activity to assign a new value to a variable previously defined in the current
script or current activity. You can assign a new value to any variable type, except SQL.
Review the following for additional information:
l Variable name—Select a previously-defined variable.
l Variable type—Displays the variable type of the selected variable.

l Variable value—Enter a new value or click to build an expression.

l Add—Click to select an additional previously-defined variable.


See Variable Scope in Using Variables in Automation to learn more about how to use
this activity with the Set Variable activity.
If..Condition.. Execute one or more activities if a condition you specify evaluates to true. You can add
several branches to the If Condition activity to simultaneously evaluate more than one
condition.

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Activity Description
To learn how to use the If Condition activity, see the following tutorial:
l Using the If Condition in Automation (video)
Use the expression editor to build an expression that evaluates a condition. Typically
this includes a variable (user-defined or built-in).
l Expression—Build your expression by selecting from the list of variables,
operators, and functions. Click a category in the left pane to display a list of
items in the right pane. Double-click an item to add it. Click Test to test the
expression.
This activity can have one or more branches. To delete a branch, select it and press
Delete. To add a branch, right-click the activity (the outside loop) and select Add
Branch. If you have multiple conditions, they do not have to be mutually exclusive.
Multiple branches can be true.
To learn more about variables, see the following:
l Using Variables in Automation
l Automation and Variables (video)
Loop Dataset Loops through each row in a dataset and performs the activities you specify. The
dataset is the result set of a query you provide (the driving query) and is stored in the
dataset variable. Add as many activities as you want to the loop. The Loop Dataset
activity can have more than one branch.
Tip: You also have the option to select any SQL-type variable created in a previous
activity to use as the dataset variable. Activities that create SQL-type variables include
Execute Script, Set Variable, or Loop Dataset.
To learn how to use the Loop Dataset activity, see the following tutorial:
l Automation and the Loop Dataset Activity (video)
Review the following for additional information:
l Dataset variable—Enter a new name for the dataset variable or use the default
name.
l Select dataset variable—(Optional) You can select one of the SQL-type
variables created in a previous activity to use as the dataset variable.

l Connection—Select a connection.
l SQL script file—Select a SQL file to use as the driving query. After the script
executes, the result set of the driving query is stored in the dataset variable.
l Click the drop-down list to select a file from the currently open project in
the Project Manager.

l Click to browse to and select a SQL file.

l Click to open the SQL file (you just selected) in the Editor where you
can modify the SQL.

Note: Click to preview the query results.

l Link SQL file—Select to link the SQL script file you selected in the previous step.
l SQL script—Enter a SQL statement to use as the driving query (if you did not
select a SQL file).
l RowCount variable—Enter a name for the row count variable or use the default.
The value assigned to this variable equals the number of rows returned from the
activity. See "Using Variables in Automation" on page 91 for more information.

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Tip: In the Loop Dataset, you can use the following format to filter data from the dataset
variable when referencing it: <dataset variable name>.<filter parameter>.
Example: Loop_data_1_SQL.region_id, where region_id is a column
name
While.. The While activity runs a loop while a condition you specify is true. The activity ends
when the condition becomes false, or when the activity completes the selected number
of loops. Each loop executes the activities you specify.
To learn how to use the While activity, see the following tutorial:
l Using the While Loop in Automation (video)
Use the expression editor to build an expression that evaluates a condition. Typically
this includes a variable (user-defined or built-in).

l Expression—Build your expression by selecting from the list of variables,


operators, and functions. Click a category in the left pane to display a list of
items in the right pane. Double-click an item to add it. Click Test to test the
expression.
l Loop—Enter the number of times to loop the activity. If the condition never
becomes false, Toad ends the activity after this number of loops. The default is
10.
This activity can have one or more branches. To delete a branch, select it and press
Delete. To add a branch, right-click the activity (the outside loop) and select Add
Branch. If you have multiple conditions, they do not have to be mutually exclusive.
Multiple branches can be true.
To learn more about variables, see the following:
l Using Variables in Automation
l Automation and Variables (video)
Send Email Use this activity to distribute reports produced by previous activities in the script or to
send notification of script execution status.
Note: To use this activity, an SMTP service must be running.
Review the following for additional information:

l From—Enter your email address or click to auto-populate this field with your
email address.
Note: If you encounter a security alert message from your email application,
and you want to use this auto-populate feature, grant Toad access (at least
temporarily).

l To—Enter an email address or click to auto-populate this field with your


email address.
l Prompt—Select to convert the To field to a variable and instruct Toad to
prompt for a new variable value during manual execution. The new
value is used for the current execution only. The default value specified
in To remains unchanged. The default value is used for a scheduled
script.
l Email Server Settings—Click this button to specify your SMTP email server
settings.

l Server—Enter the address of your SMTP email server or click to


auto-populate this field. If Toad is unable to auto-populate this field,
contact your email administrator for the SMTP email server address.

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Activity Description
Note: The email server setting automatically defaults to that specified in
the script's Settings (click the Settings icon and then click the Compose
Email button).
l User name / Password—If a non-SSL connection requires
authentication, enter credentials. If using a secure connection, enter
credentials, select Use Secure connection and select SSL or TLS.
l Subject, Body—Enter a subject line and enter text for the body of your email.
l Add Attachments—Click to add files created by this script or to browse for other
files to add as attachments. In the File Collection Editor do one or both of the
following:
l Select one or more previously created files in the left pane and click
Add.

l Click and browse to select an existing file.


In this field, you can also use the asterisk (*) and question mark (?)
wildcard characters, as well as variables, in the file name to help you
select one or more files (in the same directory) to add. To use this
method:
1. Specify the file directory by browsing to and selecting one of the
files.
2. Then, in the File Collection Editor, modify the selected file name
(in the right pane) using wildcard characters and/or variables.
l Use file for body—Select a file to use as the body of the email. This is useful if
you want to include report contents in the body of the email instead of as an
attached file. For example, in the Select to File activity you can select HTML as
the output file format, and then use this HTML file as the body of the email.
In another scenario, you can use a form letter as the body of your email. Create
a form letter template and then customize the file with the Find and Replace
activity.
Note: In the To, CC, Subject, and Body fields: You can use a variable in this field by
entering the hash symbol before and after the variable name (#VariableName#).
To learn more about how to use email in an Automation script, see the following:
l Automation and Email (video)
Run Program Run a program with optional command-line arguments. Review the following for
additional information:
l Program—Select a batch file (.bat) or executable (.exe) file.
l Arguments—Enter command-line arguments. You can also enter a variable,
such as #sleep# in this field.
Note: If you want to run a macro in Access, enter databasename /x macroname
in this field. For example, if you have a macro that beeps and runs in your
Northwind database, you would enter Northwind 2007.accdb /x beep.
l Run directory—Select the directory to change to, when running the program.
l Run style—Select the window state for the program when it runs.
l Verb—Enter verbs used when running the program, such as "Print".
l Wait for program to exit—Select this option to pause if there is an error. Select
duration of wait time in minutes.
l Return code variable—Enter a variable name or use the default name. You can

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Activity Description
use this variable with the If Condition activity.
Return code (exit code) values of 16384 (4000 hex) or larger do not generate a
script error in this activity. Other return code values do. This allows you to use
your program to generate a custom return code value in this range and use it in
subsequent activities without generating a script error.
Note: If the script opens a command-line window, you must manually close the window
once the script completes.
Run Automation Run another automation script in your current automation script.
Script Review the following for additional information:
l Automation script—Select an automation script (.tas file).

l After selecting a script, click to open the child script in a new window.

l Return code variable—Enter a variable name or use the default name. The
return code variable is a built-in variable. After the child script executes, the
return code value is stored in this variable. Return code values are:
o 0 = Successful execution
o 999 = An error occurred during execution
o 111 = An error occurred, but you selected continue on error.
You can use this variable with the If Condition activity.
Pause Stops an activity for a specified number of seconds before continuing. This is useful, for
example, if you are using parallel activities and need to pause one branch while
waiting for results or the complete execution of another branch.
For an example of how to use the Pause activity in an Automation script, see the
following:
l Using the While Loop in Automation (video)
Group Activities Use this activity to group and organize two or more activities together.
Throw Error Use this activity to generate an error and add a custom error message to the script
execution log.
Select Stop On Error to stop the script after the error is logged. This option is
independent of the global Stop/Continue on Error option specified in script Settings or
the Stop on Error option in the Activity Info tab. This activity generates a script exit code
of 555.
Parallel Run two or more activities in parallel.
After adding the activity to the design window, hover over the activity to display a drop-
down list of view options.
View Parallel—Normal view.
View Cancel Handler—Select to add cancel handler activity.
View Fault Handlers—Select to add fault handler activity.
This activity can have one or more branches. To delete a branch, select it and press
Delete. To add a branch, right-click the activity (the outside loop) and select Add
Branch.
Notes:
l To disable an activity, right-click the activity in the design window and select Disabled. This is helpful if
you want to disable an activity while testing other activities.
l The Stop on Error option for each activity allows you to select whether to stop or continue execution if
Toad encounters an error during that activity.

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l To prevent an error in one activity from causing a failure at the script level, clear the Generate Error
check box (Activity Info tab) for that activity.
l Select the Log tab to review a script's execution log.
l In the Suffix field, the drop-down list includes two predefined suffixes (Date and DateTime). The list
also includes any suffixes you have created and saved since installing Toad. To delete a suffix from

the list, select the suffix, click , delete the suffix in the Expression field, and click OK.
l Automation does not support positional parameters denoted by a question mark.

Using Variables in Automation


Automation variables are a powerful tool that can greatly extend your scripts. Variables can add flexibility and
customization. Variables can be used in almost every Automation activity.

Watch Using Variables in Automation for a video demonstration of this feature.

How to Create Variables


User-Defined Variables
You can use the Set Variable activity to create user-defined variables. See "Use System Automation Activities"
on page 85 for more information.
Built-In Variables
Several Automation activities create variables by default. The following built-in variables are created by
Automation activities.
l RowCount variable— This integer type variable is created by several activities. The value assigned to
this variable is the number of rows returned by the query in the activity.

l Return code variable— This integer type variable is created by the Run Automation Script and the Run
Program activities. The variable value is assigned based on the execution status of the script or program.
l Built-in SQL type variables—The Loop Dataset and Execute Script activities create a SQL type variable
which is used to store the result set of a query. The Loop Connections activity creates a SQL type
variable with only one row containing connection information.
l Activity Result variable—This variable captures the result of each activity's execution. If an error occurs, it
captures the error message. The name of this variable is _ACTIVITY_RESULT.
The Automation script creates the following built-in variables.
l Root path variable—This string type variable is created by the script. The value assigned to this variable
is the path you specified in the Root path field in either the Test environment or the Production
environment area in script Settings. The path that is applied depends on which environment (Test or
Production) is selected at the time the script is executed.
l Run mode variable—This string type variable is created by the script. The value assigned to this variable
is either Test or Production, depending on the environment selected in the script Settings at the time the
script is executed.

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How to Use Variables
Where to Use Variables
The following are some examples of where you can use a variable (built-in or user-defined) in an
Automation script.
l In the file name of a file exported by an activity.
l In the suffix appended to a file name.
l In an expression used in the While or If Condition activities.
l In a SQL statement as a bind variable for filtering data.
l In a SQL statement as a bind variable in an Import or Export template.

How to Use a Variable


To express the value of a variable, surround the variable name with hash symbols (#), for example #myvar#.
The following are some examples of how variables might be used.
#myvar#_report.xlsx
Report_#Dept_Name#.xlsx
#File_1_RCOUNT# > 0
It is important to remember that when a variable is expressed, the variable value is substituted as text in
place of the variable name (#myvar#). The only exception is when you use a variable as a bind variable in a
SQL statement.
To use a variable as a bind variable in a SQL statement, use the following syntax format (regardless of what the
address_id column type is):
SELECT * FROM contact WHERE address_id = :myvar
You can also use the Automation variable here as text substitution, but in this case single quotes might be
required (because it is a text substitution) depending on the column type in the WHERE clause.
For example, if last_name is a character column, use the following syntax (single quotes are required):
SELECT * FROM contact WHERE last_name = ‘#myvar#’

If address_id is a non-character column, use the following syntax:


SELECT * FROM contact WHERE address_id = #myvar#
How to Use a String Variable in a Comparison Expression
When comparing a string variable to a string value in an expression, always surround the variable name and
the string value with single quotes, for example:
'#myvar#' = 'Dog'
About SQL Type Variables
SQL type variables are created in two ways:
l You can create user-defined SQL type variables using the Set Variable activity.
l A built-in SQL variable is created by the Loop Dataset activity, the Execute Script activity, and the Loop
Connection activity.
If you ask just for the variable value of a SQL type variable, Toad returns the value from the first row and column
of the result set. However, you can filter by column using this syntax:
<variable name>.<column name>.
For example, Region.Region_Name returns the first value (first row) in the column Region_Name.

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Dataset/SQL Variable - Special Format for Filtering
You can use the following syntax format to filter data from the dataset variable (or any SQL type variable):
<dataset variable name>.<filter parameter>
Example: Loop_data_1_SQL.region_id, where region_id is one column in the dataset variable
For example, use this format in a SQL statement (in a Select to File activity) to select and export data based on
each region_id value in the dataset variable. The statement is executed with each loop of the Dataset activity.
SELECT * FROM address WHERE address.region_id = :Loop_data_1_SQL.region_id
SELECT * FROM address WHERE address.region_id = #Loop_data_1_SQL.region_id#
Bind Variables
You can store global bind variable/value combinations in Toad . After storing a global bind variable, that
variable is available to use in Automation. Your stored global bind variables appear in the list of variables in the
expression editor of applicable activities.

How to Create and Use Date Variables


In Automation scripts, a common use case is to create a variable to be used later in the script in a SQL statement
(such as in the Select to File activity). When creating a variable for a date value, there are two variable types to
choose from in the Set Variable activity: String or DateTime. The type you choose depends on how the value is
to be used in the SQL.
l If the SQL expects a string value, use the String variable type.
l If the SQL expects a date/time value, use the DateTime variable type.

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How to Define a Date Variable

In the Set Variable Activity


Valid
Example SQL Variable Type Values
SELECT * FROM contact String '2017-7-7'
WHERE birth_date < to_date(:var_date, 'YYYY-MM-DD')
and CONTACT_ID < 20
SELECT * FROM contact DateTime To_date
WHERE birth_date < :var_date and CONTACT_ID < 20 ('2017-07-
07', 'YYYY-
MM-DD')
'2017-7-7'

Using a String. For a String variable type, surround the date value in single quotes. This ensures that date
delimiters, such as the dash (-) or forward slash (/), do not cause Toad to interpret the value as an expression.
‘2017-7-7’ is treated as a string
2017-7-7 is evaluated to 2003

Variable Scope
When you are building an Automation script that uses a variable, it is important to understand the variable's
scope of visibility. This section describes the concept of variable scope in Automation scripts.

Terms and Definitions


Term Definition
Container Let's define a container as any one of the following:
l The script itself
l An activity that contains other activities (like the Group, While, or Loop
Dataset activities)

l A branch of an activity (for example, a branch in the If Condition activity)


Levels Suppose that a script is composed of nested containers. Each container is a
different level with respect to variable scope.
Level 1—The outermost container is the script itself. The script is comprised of
activities. The script and its activities in the main workflow comprise the first level.
Level 2—Some activities can contain other activities. "Container activities" (such as
the Loop Dataset) are at the second level. Level 2 is nested below level 1.
Level 3—Container activities can contain branches. A branch within a container
activity is the third level. Level 3 is nested below level 2.
And so on, until we get to the innermost level.
Container Activity A container activity is an activity that contains other activities. The Loop Dataset,
Group, If Condition, While, and Parallel activities are container activities.
Set Variable Activity Use this activity to define a variable.
Set Variable Value Use this activity to assign a new value to a previously-defined variable.
Activity

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Scope Rules
Basically, the scope of a variable includes all activities subsequent to the variable-defining activity AND either at
or nested below the level at which the variable is defined.
The following are the rules for variable scope.
l Use a variable in an expression—You can use a previously-defined variable in an expression in an
activity if the following are true:
l The expression activity is subsequent to the variable-defining activity
l AND the expression activity is at the same level or at a level nested below the variable-
defining activity
l Reassigning a variable value—You can reassign the value of a variable (except a SQL type variable) at
any point within the variable's scope. This task is accomplished using the Set Variable Value activity.
See "Use System Automation Activities" on page 85 for more information.
Once a variable value is reassigned, the new value applies to activities subsequent to the original
Set Variable activity AND either at the same level or nested below the level of the original Set
Variable activity.
Example: You can use the Set Variable Value to turn a previously-defined variable into a counter
(var=var+1) in the Loop Dataset activity.
l Define a new variable with the same name—You can redefine a new variable with the same name, but
only within an activity that is nested one or more levels below the variable-defining activity. For example,
if you defined a variable in the main workflow of your script (first level), you can define a new variable
with the same name within a container activity (second level). The scope of this variable value is
restricted to that container activity.
You cannot define a new variable with the same name at the same level as the original.
Additional Examples to Illustrate Scope
l Run Automation Script activity—This activity is used in an Automation script (the parent script) in order to
execute another Automation script (the child script). However, a variable defined in the parent script
cannot be used in the child script.
l Loop Dataset activity—This activity is a container activity and can contain other activities, including a Set
Variable activity. However, a variable defined in a Set Variable activity within the Loop Dataset cannot
be used outside the Loop Dataset.

Execute and Schedule Automation Scripts


You can execute automation scripts on demand from the Automation window or the Project Manager. You can
also schedule scripts to run on a recurring basis at a specific time. For example, schedule a script that performs
long-running tasks to run when database activity is light.
When you schedule a script in Toad, the Job Manager creates a Windows scheduling task. Scheduled scripts
run in batch mode. If using another scheduling application, specify "-batch=true" in the command. This
executes the script in non-visual (batch) mode. See the procedure below.

To execute a script from the Automation window


1. Click Run in the Wizard bar. The script is compiled and executes immediately.
2. To view the script's execution log, select the Log tab.

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3. If you want to schedule the script, first resolve any problems that caused activities to fail or disable failed
activities. An activity can be disabled from its Activity Info window.
Tip: To execute a script from the Project Manager, right-click the script and select Execute.

To schedule an automation script


1. With a script open in Automation, click Schedule in the Wizard bar. A Windows Scheduler task is created
for the script and a task properties dialog opens.
2. To schedule the script, select the Triggers tab. Select the scheduling trigger for this task and click Edit.
3. In the Edit Trigger dialog, specify scheduling details. Click OK to save your changes and
close the dialog.
4. To run the script when you are not logged on, in the General tab select Run whether user is logged on
or not. Then enter your Windows credentials when prompted.

5. When finished, click OK to save your changes and close the task properties dialog. For detailed
information about the task properties dialog, see "Schedule Windows Tasks" in the online Help.
Note: To run a scheduled script against a password-protected database, the password must be saved in the
Connection Properties dialog.

To execute a script in batch mode


l To start Toad and execute a script in batch mode (non-visual mode), enter the following command
and arguments:
<path to the toad.exe application> -batch=true “<path to Automation script>”
For example:
C:\Program Files\Quest Software\Toad Data Point 5.3\toad.exe -batch=true "<path\scriptfilename.tas>"
Notes:
l Automation scripts are compatible with the version of Toad in which they are created. To learn how to
upgrade your scripts and migrate scheduled tasks that were created in a previous version of Toad, see
"Upgrade Scripts and Scheduled Tasks" in the online Help.
l The Automation module is disabled if Toad was installed with the Prohibit saving passwords
option selected.

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About Us

Quest creates software solutions that make the benefits of new technology real in an increasingly complex IT
landscape. From database and systems management, to Active Directory and Office 365 management, and
cyber security resilience, Quest helps customers solve their next IT challenge now. Around the globe, more than
130,000 companies and 95% of the Fortune 500 count on Quest to deliver proactive management and
monitoring for the next enterprise initiative, find the next solution for complex Microsoft challenges and stay
ahead of the next threat. Quest Software. Where next meets now. For more information, visit www.quest.com.

Contact Quest
For sales or other inquiries, visit www.quest.com/contact.

Technical Support Resources


Technical support is available to Quest customers with a valid maintenance contract and customers who have
trial versions. You can access the Quest Support Portal at https://support.quest.com.
The Support Portal provides self-help tools you can use to solve problems quickly and independently, 24 hours
a day, 365 days a year. The Support Portal enables you to:
l Submit and manage a Service Request
l View Knowledge Base articles
l Sign up for product notifications
l Download software and technical documentation
l View how-to-videos

l Engage in community discussions


l Chat with support engineers online
l View services to assist you with your product

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Index

compare differences 45
A
export in one click 45
activities, automation 70
in result sets 43
automation 70
reports tutorial 49
database activities 74
Database Diagram
execute automation scripts 95
tutorial 26
file activities 81
Database Explorer
system activities 85
best method for locating objects 19
variables 91
filter databases and objects 20
B search for objects 25
build queries database objects 19
create cross-connection queries 32 filter schemas 20
reverse engineer queries 34 object explorer 19

C search for 25
databases
code
automation activities 74
automating 70
Diff Viewer, data 45
shortcut keys 41

view result sets 43 E


connections Editor 39
create ODBC 9 reverse engineer queries 34
create Oracle 11 shortcut keys 41
create SQL Azure 13 Excel
create SQL Server 13 add to Report Manager 53
share for all session windows 16 share linked queries 47
troubleshoot 16 export
troubleshoot SQL Server 16 data with one click 45
understand 15
F
cross-connection queries 32
files
D automation activities 81
data filter
browse parent tables 28 databases and objects 20

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Oracle 56
H
publish and share 60
heterogeneous queries 32
SQLServer 58
I result sets 43
intellisense reverse engineer queries 34
shortcut keys 41
S
K script results 43
keyboard scripts
editor shortcuts 41 automating 70

L search 25

database objects 25
linked queries 47
shortcut keys 41
M
SQL
Master Detail Browser 28 automating scripts 70

O shortcut keys 41
SQL Azure
Object Explorer 19
create connections 13
filter databases and objects 20
SQL Editor 39
search for objects 25
SQL Server
object search 25
create connections 13
ODBC
troubleshoot 16
create connections 9
subqueries
One Click Export 45
tutorial 36
Oracle
system automation activities 85
Oracle, create connections 11

Q T
tables
Query Builder
browse data in related 28
create cross-connection queries 32
troubleshoot
reverse engineer queries 34
SQL Server connections 16
tutorial 30
tutorials 49
R
create database diagrams 26
reports 53 create ODBC connections 9
data tutorial 49 create Toad data reports 49
DB2 54 subquery 36
manage reports 53 visually build queries 30
MySQL 56
ODBC 56

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V
variables
Automation 91

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