XL5: Error in Help File for SQLREQUEST Function

- Microsoft Excel for Windows, version 5.0

SUMMARY

In Microsoft Excel version 5.0, the help file MAINXL.HLP incorrectly documents the SQLREQUEST function. The help file topic for the SQLREQUEST function does not distinguish between SQL.REQUEST (worksheet function and Microsoft Excel 4.0 macro function) and SQLREQUEST (Visual Basic function). The topic appears with the name of the Visual Basic function, SQLREQUEST, however the information in the help topic, including the name and order of the arguments, applies to the SQL.REQUEST function.

Additionally, there is no information on the SQL.REQUEST function included in the Microsoft Excel Macro Functions Help file.

MORE INFORMATION

Two functions in the XLODBC.XLA add-in, SQLRequest and SQL.REQUEST allow you to connect to an external data source and run a query. In Microsoft Excel Help file, the SQLREQUEST function help topic, the period (.) is missing from this function.

To locate the error, do the following:

   1. From the Help menu, choose Contents

   2. Select Search and type "SQLRequest".

   3. Select Show Topics, and then choose Go To.

Help: Microsoft Excel Help

SQLREQUEST topic

The SQLREQUEST function has been renamed SQL.REQUEST (with a period between the L and R). No other changes were made to its syntax.

Most functions that are available as macros and worksheet functions have the same syntax. This is not the case with SQLRequest and SQL.REQUEST. The arguments are the same in the two functions, but the order is different. The Function Wizard contains the correct syntax for the two functions.

   SQL.REQUEST(connection_string,output_ref,driver_prompt,
   query_text,column_names_logical)

    -and-

   SQLRequest(ConnectionStr,QueryText,OutputRef,DriverPrompt,
   ColNamesLogical)