Excel should have a built-in, top-notch SQL editor/IDE. Existing SQL IDEs return resultsets in a grid, thus, Excel is a natural fit. Excel would allow developers to go beyond a SQL IDE by subjecting the results to the rest of the spreadsheet's functionality. Would work great for exploratory analysis or for production reporting.
Currently, running SQL and returning the results to a sheet is possible, but very cumbersome now: either .ODC files, VBA, or PowerPivot, none of which are flexible or developer-friendly.
Currently, running SQL and returning the results to a sheet is possible, but very cumbersome now: either .ODC files, VBA, or PowerPivot, none of which are flexible or developer-friendly.