Key Points:
- Ensure VPN connection is established on your computer.
- These reports are automated and data is refreshed daily at 8:00 AM. Therefore, the data from these reports reflects what was in PeopleSoft SIS at the time of the data run rather than what is present at the time the user pulls the report.
- This article provides training video and support to connect to your Microsoft Excel plug-in.
As data gets bigger and bigger, users need to find new ways to manage it. In most instances, the person that needs to use the data is not a programmer and can become overwhelmed trying to make sense of pulling their own data. The following steps will show how to pull data from the SAS server. SAS Microsoft Plug In is a Component Object Model (COM) add-in and provides a more robust method for accessing data using MS Excel as the main application for data retrieval and analysis.
SAS Microsoft Plug-In Training Videos
- Resolving common issues: This video can help with issues such as establishing a secure connection, finding reports and controlling the number of records in a report.
- Refresh: This video shows users how to refresh a report in the SAS Microsoft Plugin using a one click function.
- Pivot Chart: This video shows users how to create a pivot chart as one of the many analytical and visual tools in the SAS Plugin environment.
- Sort/Filter: This video shows users multiple methods to sort and filter a report in the SAS Microsoft Plugin. This will include the demonstration of the built-in excel sort and filter and the tool in the SAS tab.
Getting started with SAS Microsoft Plug-In
Step One: Set-Up SAS Microsoft Plugin: If you do not see the SAS tab in your Excel, please follow the instructions in this video - How to install the plug in software and set up a profile in SAS plug-in.
Step Two: Connect to VPN if Off Campus: If working remotely, ensure VPN connection is established on your computer (see Figure 3). The VPN icon is located on the bottom right corner of the computer in the toolbar and is accessed by clicking the small carrot (^) and then the little earth icon. Click on the earth icon and then the button that says "Connect". If for some reason, you need access to VPN and do not already have it, contact Help Desk support.
Figure 1: Successful connection to VPN
Step Three:
Once you are on a secure connection, open Excel, and you should see the SAS tab on the top navigation ribbon. Click on the SAS tab.
Figure 2: Excel SAS Tab Ribbon
After you click on the SAS tab, click on the Data Icon.
Figure 3: Data Icon in SAS Tab
After you click on the Data Icon, select Browse -->Select Servers -->Select SASAppOA-->Select Libraries -->Select the library of choice (In this case we chose, Registration and Scheduling library) --> Select the dataset.
Figure 4: For demonstration purposes, we selected the Class Status File in Registration and Scheduling Library
Prior to connecting to the data on the SAS server, select location and then click 'OK'.
Figure 5: Selecting Location in View SAS Data Pop-Up Window
