3 Ways on How to Export SQLite Database to Excel
SQLite databases are relatively tiny, standalone structures and are used due to these favorable features. However, there are situations where you need to analyze or broadcast data in an easier way without the SQLite environment. For example, in an Excel spreadsheet. For those who ask themselves how to export SQLite database to Excel, this guide will show you directions on how to do it in a number of ways including a SQLite to Excel converter tool.
Let’s dive in!
Why Export SQLite Database to Excel?
A question most may ask is why export SQLite database to excel? Excel is among the easiest platforms that people can use to arrange and analyze data. Converting SQLite to Excel allows you to:
- Share Data Easily: Excel files are well compatible with a wide range of tools and other platforms.
- Analyze Data Visually: Make use of charts, graphs, and powerful formulas of Excel in order to make the interpretation of your data.
- Create Reports: Prepare professional looking reports for briefing sessions.
Now that we know why, it is time to understand the how. So next we are going to discuss both manual and automated ways of how to convert SQLite to Excel.
How to Convert SQLite to Excel – 3 Best Ways
There are 3 ways to go about this conversion:
- SQLite Commands
- Python Coding
- Automated Software – The Best Solution
The first way is to use the SQLite commands itself to export data. Using them you can export SQLite database to CSV format, then simply open the CSV file in Excel and either work with it or save it as another Excel format like XLSX.
The second way requires you to be familiar with Python coding. Using these codes, you can directly export your SQLite data to XLSX file.
The final way is to use an automated SQLite to Excel converter. Unlike the previous two methods where you do you own task, this time you can leave it to the software. Here you only need to add your SQLite db file to the software and it will help you generate Excel files of all your database, selective parts only, hex data, or properties.
So, go through the methods one by one and choose the technique that suits you the best.
#1 Export SQLite Database to Excel Using SQLite Commands
SQLite has been designed with export capabilities integrated as a standard feature. Here’s how a user can do it step by step:
Prerequisites:
- SQLite is already installed on your machine.
- Few of the SQL command knowledge such as SELECT, INSERT INTO, UPDATE and others.
Steps to convert SQLite to Excel:
- Power up the SQLite command-line utility on your computer.
- Run the following command to open your database:
.open your-database-name.db
- To export the data in a format Excel understands, switch the output mode:
.mode csv
- Use the following command to write your table’s data to a spreadsheet format file:
.output excel-file-name.csv
SELECT * FROM your-table-name;
.output stdout - These will build a file with information from your table.
- Go to this file location, open the file you’ve created in Excel and then save it as an XLSX file if necessary.
Drawbacks:
- The manual method requires knowledge of SQL commands for customization.
- There is no error-handling corrupted or damaged DB.
#2 Convert SQLite to Excel XLSX Using Python
This method is suitable for Python coders as it uses Python coding to directly export SQLite database to XLSX file. Here are the prerequisites and steps to do so:
Prerequisites:
- Python must be installed on your system.
- Install the sqlite3, pandas, and openpyxl libraries.
Steps to export SQLite database to Excel:
# Install Required Libraries
pip install pandas openpyxl
# Write the Script
import sqlite3
import pandas as pd
# Connect to SQLite database
conn = sqlite3.connect("your-database-name.db")
# Query the data
query = "SELECT * FROM your-table-name"
data = pd.read_sql_query(query, conn)
# Export SQLite to Excel
data.to_excel("output-file-name.xlsx", index=False)
print("Export successful!")
Once you save the script and execute it, an Excel file will be created containing your SQLite table data.
Benefits:
- This is good for large databases.
- Python is good at automating repetitive tasks.
Drawbacks:
- Requires Python programming knowledge.
#3 SQLite to Excel Converter to Export Data of Your Choice
If you consider yourself a non-technical user in search of a perfect tool to transfer SQLite database to Excel without breaking a sweat, then SQLite Database Repair is the perfect tool for you. The two primary intentions of this tool is to work on a corrupted or damaged database and to directly export into Excel. It also:
- Recovers and exports data from corrupted databases of SQLite to PDF and Access.
- Converts SQlite tables, views and all objects to Excel without hassle.
- Exports data of your choice (use SQL queries or directly select from previewed data).
- Has a simple, easy to navigate interface without the need for programming skills.
Steps on How to Export SQLite Database to Excel:
- Run the tool and click on the Add File button to start the process.
- Browse and select the SQLite database file.
- Click and preview all objects of the loaded database.
- Choose the objects that you want to export to Excel spreadsheet and select the Export button.
- Choose Excel supported CSV as the target format.
- Finally, click the Save button to start the conversion process.
You now have a file containing the data that you want. You can open this file in Excel and any other spreadsheet program. If you specifically want an XLSX file, then simply open this converted file in Excel, go to Save as and save the file as XLSX save as type.
Benefits:
- All of the above can be done without having knowledge of SQL or coding.
- It manages corrupted databases easily.
- This saves a lot of time as it has an automated procedure to perform all those steps.
Drawbacks:
- May cost some money but is good for professional use.
You can also use this software to export your data from SQLite to Access MDB.
Concluding Lines
There are multiple ways to achieve the common requirement of exporting SQLite database to Excel. In any case, you can use one of the three given solutions if you are comfortable with commands related to SQLite, comfortable in Python scripting or if you want to use an automated tool. It will depend on your technical ability and the degree of difficulty of the job which has to be done. In my opinion, the professional tool is much more suitable for use if you want the process to be as fast and without mistakes as possible, if your database has problems or you prefer a clear and comfortable interface.
Now that you know how to convert SQLite to Excel, it’s time to select which method you prefer and follow it!