Connect Your Spreadsheet to Redshift

Row Zero makes it easy to connect Redshift to a powerful spreadsheet designed for big data. Seamlessly import big datasets and leverage spreadsheet features to analyze Redshift data. Schedule auto-refresh and everything built on connected data automatically updates, including pivot tables, charts, formulas, etc. You can also write-back to Redshift.

Table of Contents

Connect Row Zero to Redshift

In a Row Zero workbook, click on the 'Data' icon in the upper right-hand corner and then click the button to 'Add connection.'connect redshift to spreadsheet

The Redshift connector requires a few pieces of information.

redshift connector in spreadsheet
  1. Connection name - This field can be anything that helps identify the data source being connected. (e.g. "Production Data" or "Product Metrics")
  2. Host - This is the Redshift address that typically takes the form of a string like '12345xyz.redshift.amazonaws.com'.
  3. Port - This is always 5439.
  4. User - This is the username for your Redshift database.
  5. Password - The password used to log into your Redshift Database.
  6. Database - The name of the Redshift database being connected to.

Once all the information is entered, hit 'Test connection' to ensure the information is correct. If the test connection icon turns green and says 'Connected', proceed by clicking on '+ Add Source.'

Add Redshift as data source screen in Row Zero

Write a query to import data

Now that Redshift is connected to your spreadsheet, click the "+" sign next to your Redshift connection to insert a connected table.redshift connected table in spreadsheetThis adds a data table to your spreadsheet that is connected to Redshift and opens a query editor. Select the 'Schema' from the dropdown and then write a SQL query. The easiest query to write is a 'select *' statement, which pulls in the entire table. For example:

select * from table_name

Click 'Run' to execute the query and import the queried Redshift data into your spreadsheet.

redshift connected spreadsheet

The data imports directly into a connected table in the spreadsheet, which provides a dynamic, condensed view of the data and makes it easy to filter, sort, format, pivot, chart, etc. You can also add calculated columns and reference the data in formula functions throughout your workbook. Double-click on the connected table to re-run your query for the latest data or schedule auto-refresh and everything built on connected data automatically updates and stays in sync. Here is more info on how to build connected spreadsheets.

Build out your Redshift connected spreadsheet

Once you've imported your Redshift data, you can build out your connected spreadsheet. Row Zero works like Excel and Google Sheets - just a lot more powerful. Connected tables make it easy to view, filter, sort, format, pivot, and chart big datasets.filter data in spreadsheetYou easily add calculated columns to your table by entering a formula in the first column to the right of your table.add calculated columns to redshift tableYou can also reference the connected data in formula functions throughout your workbook.redshift spreadsheet functionsRight-click on the connected table to open a context menu with additional options. You can manage columns, cut, copy, create pivot tables, etc.pivot redshift data in spreadsheetcreate redshift pivot table in spreadsheetEasily create connected charts by selecting cells in your connected table or pivot table and going to 'Insert', 'Chart' in the header navigation.chart redshift data in spreadsheetOnce you've built out your spreadsheet, you can double-click on the connected table to re-run your query for the latest data or schedule auto-updates.automate redshift data updates in spreadsheetThis updates everything built on your connected data and keeps your whole spreadsheet in sync with the latest data.

Export your spreadsheet data to Redshift

With a connected Redshift account, you can easily export spreadsheet data to Redshift as a new table. You can write-back cell ranges, pivot tables, data tables, sheets, etc. This is also a convenient way to preview and clean files before importing to Redshift. Once you've defined the data you would like to export to Redshift, right-click on the data table or selected range, navigate to 'Export to', and select your Redshift connection.

import to Redshift

The export to Redshift modal will pop and ask you to select the schema and specify a table name. New table names are forced to start with 'rz_' to avoid overwriting any tables already in your Redshift instance. Hit export and Row Zero will create a new table in Redshift and import the data. When the export is complete, you will see a notification in the upper right-hand corner that says "Export finished".

Export to Redshift modal

To verify your table is in Redshift you can use either of the commands below.

show tables
select * from rz_TABLENAME

Ready to get started?

Connect to Redshift and build Redshift connected spreadsheets that auto-update as source data changes.

Connect to Redshift