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How to Find and Install the Contoso Demo Database for Excel
Question details
The user is trying to locate and install the Contoso demo database for Excel, often used for testing features in Microsoft Excel and Power BI.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Setting up sample datasets to practice data modeling, test features, or demonstrate capabilities in Excel and Power BI.
- Observed behavior
- Users often confuse the older SQL-based Contoso database with modern Power BI financial sample workbooks, making it difficult to find the exact Excel file or add-in they need.
Determine whether you need the older SQL-based Contoso database for advanced data modeling or a simple Financial Sample Excel workbook for basic testing, as the installation methods differ significantly.
Download the Official Contoso Demo Database
Use this method if you are looking for the original, comprehensive Microsoft Contoso BI Demo Dataset for advanced data modeling.
The original Contoso database is not a simple Excel add-in but a robust sample dataset provided by Microsoft. It often requires SQL Server to extract and manage the database files before you can connect them to Excel.
Navigate to the official Microsoft Download Center in your web browser and search for 'Contoso BI Demo Dataset' (or look up download ID 18279).
Select the appropriate download package for your system. Run the downloaded executable file and follow the installation wizard to extract the database files to your local drive.
Open Microsoft Excel, navigate to the 'Data' tab on the ribbon, click 'Get Data', select 'From Database', and choose 'From SQL Server Database' to connect to your newly installed Contoso data.
Use the Financial Sample Workbook Instead
If you do not know how to use SQL and simply need a flat file for testing, the Microsoft Financial Sample workbook is the best alternative.
Export Sample Data from Power BI to Excel
If you are already viewing a Contoso or Financial sample dashboard in Power BI, you can easily export the underlying data to an Excel file.
Analyze Your Sample Data with WPS Spreadsheet
Once you download the Contoso demo or Financial Sample workbook, use WPS Office as a free, lightweight alternative to analyze your data. It offers full compatibility with Microsoft Excel formats, familiar formulas, and powerful data analysis tools without the heavy subscription fees.
- 1. Download WPS Office: Visit the official WPS website, download the free installation package, and install it on your device.
- 2. Open WPS Spreadsheet: Launch the WPS Office application and click on 'Spreadsheet' on the main home screen.
- 3. Import Your Sample Data: Click 'File', select 'Open', and browse your computer to select the Contoso or Financial Sample .xlsx file you downloaded.
- 4. Start Analyzing: Use the 'Data' and 'Insert' tabs to create PivotTables, generate charts, and analyze your sample database easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can't I find the Contoso dataset as a built-in Excel add-in?
The Contoso demo is not an Excel add-in. It is a separate, standalone sample database or Excel workbook provided by Microsoft for demonstrating Power BI and Excel data modeling capabilities.
How do I convert a Power BI file to Excel?
You cannot directly convert a .pbix (Power BI) file to an Excel file. However, you can open the Power BI report, select a specific data visual, click the 'More options' (...) menu, and select 'Export data' to save the underlying data as an Excel (.xlsx) file.
Do I need SQL to use the Contoso database?
The original Contoso BI Demo dataset requires SQL Server to attach and manage the database files. If you do not know how to use SQL, it is highly recommended to download the flat 'Financial Sample Excel workbook' instead, which requires no special setup.
