I'm new to SharePoint and want to know how I can make a direct connection to a database and display the data in various list/views/calendars that we've created in SharePoint 2007. Right now we extract the data via queries in MySQL Workbench to a csv file, open that up in Excel, copy the data and then paste it into a List in SharePoint that our users see via different SharePoint views. It's too much manual work. I want to SharePoint to be directly connected to the database and populate the list without having to extract/copy/paste. I would prefer that Excel not be involved in the process if possible. Can this be done? Thanks

You can use BDC to fetch data from external database and show it in SharePoint. Please have a look at the following article for detailed procedure for the same. http://sharepointmagazine.net/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-bdc-part-1-of-8 Regards, GeetanjaliThanks & Regards, Geetanjali Arora

It's not as powerful but it's also (in addition to BDC) possible to display data from a database using a Data View Web Part (also called Data Form Web Part) which is a menu item on the free SharePoint Designer 2007. It's display only which is what you want but the connection to the db system is easier to set-up if SQL Server is the db system - with MySQL in use setting the connection up will be more difficult. The BDC solution requires MOSS 2007 Enterprise edition as the SP system. Data View web parts work with all versions of SP 2007 including WSS 3.0. Mike SP 2010 "FAQ" (mainly useful links): http://wssv4faq.mindsharp.com/default.aspx WSS3/MOSS FAQ (FAQ and Links) http://wssv3faq.mindsharp.com/default.aspx Both also have links to extensive book lists and to (free) on-line chapters

The only solution is via BDC or have your own custom solution and query via CAML. Note: that in BDC you could only read not write back to the DB.

> The only solution is via BDC or have your own custom solution and query via CAML. Why is this the "only" solution. I've already indicated another possible solution. What was wrong with it?SP 2010 "FAQ" (mainly useful links): http://wssv4faq.mindsharp.com/default.aspx WSS3/MOSS FAQ (FAQ and Links) http://wssv3faq.mindsharp.com/default.aspx Both also have links to extensive book lists and to (free) on-line chapters

I'm new to SharePoint and want to know how I can make a direct connection to a database and display the data Check this out - http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint-designer-help/add-a-database-as-a-data-source-HA010100908.aspx Hope it help. Wilson