Migrating data from Excel(.xls; .xlsx) to Firebird

This guide walks you through migrating data from MS Excel to Firebird in a few simple steps using ESF Database Migration Toolkit. Simplify complex migration tasks and save valuable time with our streamlined approach.

MS Excel vs. Firebird:

Microsoft Excel is a powerful spreadsheet software developed by Microsoft, widely used for organizing, analyzing, and visualizing data. It offers a wide range of features including calculation, graphing tools, pivot tables, and a macro programming language called Visual Basic for Applications (VBA). Excel enables users to create complex formulas, perform data analysis, and generate professional-looking charts and graphs. It is extensively utilized in various fields such as finance, accounting, engineering, and data analysis for its versatility and ease of use.
FireBird is an open-source relational database management system (RDBMS) that offers robust features, high performance, and scalability. It provides cross-platform support, running on Windows, Linux, macOS, and various Unix platforms. With its SQL compliance, ACID transactions, and multi-generational architecture, Firebird is well-suited for both small-scale applications and enterprise-level deployments. Additionally, its lightweight footprint and minimal administration requirements make it a popular choice for embedded database solutions.

Prerequisite:

Software Required:

DMToolkit_x64.zip (63.6 MiB)	64-bit Windows application for ESF Database Migration Toolkit 12.2.08 (2025-07-11). (md5: e93a0ef57622bfd8ee77d6aa6e38c13b)
DMToolkit_win32.zip (58.8 MiB)	32-bit Windows application for ESF Database Migration Toolkit 12.2.08 (2025-07-11). (md5: bd34cb7f73c88c6d0c7a44069ad756d6)

System Supported:
- Windows 7 or higher.
- MS Excel 97 or higher.
- Firebird 1.5 or higher.

Step by Step Wizard:

Microsoft Excel Data Source Configuration
- In the "Choose a Data Source" dialog:
  - Select "Microsoft Excel(*.xls;*.xlsx)"
- File selection:
  - Click the "[...]" button (Browse)
  - Select your Excel file (.xls or .xlsx format) containing migration data
Fig. 1: Microsoft Excel data source configuration
Configure Firebird/InterBase Destination
- In the "Choose a Destination" dialog:
  - Select "Firebird/InterBase"
- Provide authentication credentials:
  - Username: SYSDBA (default)
  - Password: masterkey (default)
- Select the database character set from the dropdown
- Database file location:
  - Click the "..." button (Browse)
  - Select your Firebird (.fdb) or InterBase (.gdb) file
- For server connections:
  - Enter server address in format: <server_name>[/port]:<db_file>
  - Examples:
    - With port: localhost/3050:c:\temp\test.fdb
    - Default port (3050): localhost:c:\temp\test.fdb
Fig. 2: Firebird/InterBase destination configuration
In "Select Source Table(s) & View(s)" Dialog
- Select migration objects: Choose tables or views to include in the migration.
  
  Fig. 3: Select tables and views
- Modify table structure: Click the ellipsis (...) button to access table options and schema adjustments.
  
  Fig. 4: Do transform
- Configure field mapping: In the Field Mapping options:
  - Customize destination fields (name, data type, default value, comments)
  - Select data transfer method:
    - Overwrite Table (replace existing data)
    - Empty Data (truncate before insert)
    - Append Data (add to existing data)
    - Skip Table (exclude from transfer)
  - Apply data filters before transfer
Execution Dialog
- Start migration: Click "Submit" to initiate automated data transfer from MS Excel to Firebird.
  
  Fig. 5: Execute migration
- Monitor progress: Click "Browse Log" for real-time migration tracking, including issue resolution details.
- Save configuration: Click "Save as job" to store settings for:
  - Quick reloads of migration jobs
  - Command-line execution (use: dmtc.exe --help for parameter options)
Finished!

After migration completes, the toolkit generates a comprehensive report for verifying migration accuracy. You can monitor progress as the automated process runs efficiently. For any questions or feedback, contact us – our team is ready to assist.