DataMate Excel Add-In: Complete User Guide

Step 1: Installing the DataMate Add-In

Follow these steps to install the DataMate Excel Add-In:

Download the Add-In:
- Save the DataMate add-in file, typically with a .xlam extension, to a secure location on your computer.
Open Excel:
- Launch Excel and go to the File tab.
Access Add-Ins:
- Click Options and navigate to the Add-Ins section.
- At the bottom of the window, select Excel Add-Ins from the dropdown and click Go.
Browse and Enable the Add-In:
- In the Add-Ins window, click Browse.
- Locate the downloaded .xlam file and click OK.
- Ensure the checkbox next to the DataMate add-in is selected, then click OK.
Verify Installation:
- The DataMate menu should now appear on the Excel ribbon.
- If it doesn't appear, ensure macros are enabled under File > Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Macro Settings.

Tip: Pin the location of the add-in file to avoid issues if the file is moved or deleted.

Follow these steps to add data to your DataMate file:

Open DataMate: Open your existing spreadsheet or form and ensure all cells containing text or data are merged and the DataMate add-in is active.
Create a New Dataset:
- From the DataMate menu, select New Dataset.
- This creates and initializes the necessary sheets and buttons for your dataset.
Copy and Paste Your Data:
- Enter or copy the data or form you want to integrate.
- Navigate to the Input sheet. Paste your data into cells A3:Q200 use paste column width.
- Repeat this process on the View/Print sheet, starting at cell A3.
Refresh the View:
- Go to the DataMate App menu and click Refresh View.
- This updates dropdowns, validations, and displays the most recent data.

Tip: Avoid overwriting rows below Q200 on the Input sheet unless you've extended the VBA range to accommodate additional rows.

Keep track of your data records using the Log Table:

Link Log Fields:
- On the Input sheet, locate the cell labeled Log 1.
- Press = and click the cell containing the unique ID label (e.g., Invoice No.) on the same sheet. Press Enter.
- For Log 1 Empty, select the cell below it, press =, and link it to the corresponding data (e.g., the actual invoice number).
Repeat for Additional Fields: Follow the above steps to create links for up to 12 log fields, depending on your data structure.

Tip: You can rename the Log labels to match your dataset fields by selecting and typing over the label cells.

Effortlessly manage your data with these DataMate actions:

Save a Record:
- Enter your data on the Input sheet.
- Click the Save Record button.
- This saves the data and switches to the View/Print sheet for confirmation.
View a Record:
- On the View/Print sheet, use the dropdown in cell B2:L2 to select a record by its unique identifier.
- The selected record will populate the view fields.
Update a Record:
- Navigate to the Update sheet.
- Modify the data fields as needed.
Print a Record:
- Go to File > Print and select Print Current Selection.
- Ensure your print area is set to the relevant range on the View/Print sheet.

Tip: Use the preformatted View/Print layout for consistent and professional print results.

Navigation Buttons: Use the Exit button (located on the Input sheet, cell P1) to exit the current dataset and reset sheet names.
Dynamic Naming: When creating a new dataset, the sheets are renamed dynamically. Ensure you properly exit any existing datasets first to avoid naming conflicts.
Refresh the Input Sheet: Before entering any data, make a copy of your current Input sheet (the copied sheet will be named Input (2)). When you select the Refresh Input button, the Input sheet will be reset to match the content of the copied sheet (Input (2)).
Adding Input Sheets: Use the Add Input Sheet button to add additional Input sheets to the current dataset. When prompted, enter the names of the new sheets. This feature is useful for datasets with multiple inputs, such as a timesheet dataset for tracking records of multiple employees.

Here is a video showing Dataset creation and adding Input sheets. Watch This Video

Tip: Backup your DataMate-enabled workbook regularly to avoid data loss during modifications or updates.