When we first introduced Oracle Autonomous Database (now Oracle Autonomous AI Database), we delivered a powerful way to share data securely- initially called Pre-Authenticated Request URLs or “PAR URLs.” We’ve explored its uses in previous blog posts, from Secure and easy access to Oracle Autonomous Database Data via Pre-Authenticated URLs to diving deeper with advanced feature in our New Features of Pre-Authenticated Requests in Oracle Autonomous Database blog. In this third blog post in our series, we’re thrilled to announce that we are renaming this feature to Table Hyperlink, aligning the name to exactly what this feature does—linking your tables directly and effortlessly to your workflows, simplifying access and enhancing usability. 

One Powerful Example: Connecting Table Hyperlink to Google Sheets 

There are numerous practical ways to utilize Table Hyperlink. Let’s highlight one particularly impactful scenario—its integration with Google Sheets. Imagine effortlessly bringing your Oracle Autonomous AI Database data into Google Sheets for quick analysis, validation, or visual presentation without any complicated configurations. 

Quick guide to importing data into Google Sheets: 

1. Log in to your Google Account and open a new Google Sheet. 

2. Click on cell A1 or the cell where you’d like the data to start. 

3. Enter this straightforward formula (Make sure to replace <ADB-S Table Hyperlink> with your actual URL!) : 

            =IMPORTDATA(“<ADB-S Table Hyperlink>?limit=10000&format=csv”) 

4. Confirm access when prompted by Google Sheets. 

Confirm access when prompted by Google Sheets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Within seconds, your Autonomous AI Database data populates your spreadsheet, ready to analyze. 

How Google Sheets looks like with data

Important URL parameters explained: 

  • limit: Fetches up to 10,000 records or a maximum of 10 MB. 
  • format=csv: Ensures the data is fetched in CSV format, perfect for spreadsheet applications. 

Once the data is loaded, leverage Google Sheets’ built-in functionalities like conditional formatting, data validation, and quick data summaries. 

Exciting Recent Enhancements: 

At Oracle, we are always keen to listen to our users’ feedback and strive to constantly improve user experience. Your valuable insights have directly influenced our recent enhancements to Table Hyperlink: 

  • External Tables over Table Hyperlinks: Easily create external tables directly on top of Table Hyperlinks, enabling straightforward querying of external data.  

For example: 

BEGIN 
  DBMS_CLOUD.CREATE_EXTERNAL_TABLE( 
    table_name      => 'sales_ext', 
    file_uri_list   => '<Table Hyperlink URL>?format=csv' 
  ); 
END;

This simplifies integration, eliminating traditional barriers to external data access. 

Coming Soon: Even More Exciting Features! 

We’re planning to further enhance Table Hyperlink with exciting new features: 

  • Data consistency for paginated URLs: By capturing a consistent snapshot with the System Change Number (SCN), we eliminate the risk of data mismatches across multiple page requests, providing stable and predictable data for analysis. 
  • Default bind variables: You no longer need to provide values explicitly every time; set default bind variables to enhance user experience. 
  • Group table hyperlink (multi-tables): Soon, manage multiple database objects easily with a single hyperlink, simplifying collaboration and data sharing. 

Oracle continues to invest in enhancing Table Hyperlink. Guided by valuable customer feedback, we are focused on making this feature more intuitive, secure, and versatile to support seamless data integration and collaboration, grounded in real-world needs and use cases. Expect ongoing improvements and new capabilities that simplify and strengthen secure data sharing, especially with non-Oracle clients. 

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