SQL, AI-assisted analysis, and refreshable data in Excel through VGI.
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Cupola brings remote data into Excel so you can build reports, explore questions, and keep your analysis up to date without repeatedly exporting and importing files. Connect to data catalogs that support Query Farm's Vector Gateway Interface (VGI), choose the data you need, and use it in familiar Excel tables, formulas, charts, and PivotTables.
You can work in SQL or ask an AI assistant for help. Preview results in Cupola, then decide what to add to your workbook.
On Windows, Load into Excel turns a query result into a Power Query table. Use that table in your workbook and update its data with Excel's Refresh All. The saved query keeps the SQL and connection selection needed to fetch the data again.
For a fixed record of the data, insert a static table instead. Static tables are available in both the Windows and Microsoft 365 Office add-ins and do not change when the workbook refreshes.
Ask AI helps you explore a connected catalog, find relevant tables and functions, write SQL, and inspect the results. Refine your question in a conversation, review the SQL it used, or open that SQL in the Query Editor to adjust it yourself.
Each executed query has a result preview alongside the answer. On Windows, you can load the full result into a refreshable Power Query table with a descriptive name. In the Office add-in, you can insert a static result into the worksheet.
Ask AI uses Anthropic models with your own API key. Its SQL is read-only, and changes to your workbook require your confirmation.
Catalog View shows the tables and functions available through your selected connections. Query Editor gives you named SQL tabs, result previews, and cancellation for running queries. Keep several analyses open and return to your saved tabs later.
On Windows, select multiple connections under Workspace catalogs to browse and query them together. Use qualified catalog names to combine data from different catalogs in one SQL query. A Default catalog makes queries shorter when you mainly work with one source.
The workspace supports up to 16 connections with distinct catalog aliases. Changing the workspace selection preserves the catalog sets already used by saved Power Queries.
Cupola's worksheet functions let you bring query results into cells and build calculations around them:
| Function | What it does |
|---|---|
VGI.QUERY |
Returns a query result as a table of cells |
VGI.VALUE |
Returns a single value for use in a calculation |
VGI.CALL |
Calls a catalog function with values or ranges from your worksheet |
For example, with an Open-Meteo connection configured as the formula default:
=VGI.QUERY("select * from open_meteo.main.geocoding('Boston') limit 20")
=VGI.VALUE("select count(*) from open_meteo.main.geocoding('Boston')")
=VGI.CALL("open_meteo.main.weather_code_text", A2:A20)
VGI.QUERY and VGI.VALUE also accept a named connection and a refresh key.
VGI.CALL supports scalar or equally shaped range arguments. The function
namespace is VGI; direct XLL use in Excel 2016–2021 also provides the
VGI_QUERY, VGI_VALUE, and VGI_CALL aliases.
- Download the Windows installer and open Cupola from the Excel ribbon. For the Microsoft 365 Office add-in, follow the Office setup instructions.
- Open Settings → Connections, choose New connection, and enter your HTTPS VGI server address. Select Find catalogs, choose a catalog, and save it with a friendly connection name.
- On Windows, choose which Workspace catalogs to use together and select Apply changes.
- Browse Catalog View, write SQL in Query Editor, or add your API key under Settings → AI settings and ask a question in Ask AI.
- Preview your results and choose Load into Excel for a refreshable Windows table, or insert a static table.
You need access to an HTTPS VGI endpoint for the data you want to query. Each connection has its own catalog and sign-in settings. Cupola keeps connection credentials outside your workbook.
| Capability | Windows desktop add-in | Microsoft 365 Office add-in |
|---|---|---|
| SQL editor, Ask AI, and catalog browsing | Yes | Yes |
| Worksheet functions | Yes | Yes |
| Static Excel tables | Yes | Yes |
| Power Query tables with Refresh All | Yes | No |
| Multiple-catalog workspace selection | Yes | No |
| Setup | Signed Windows installer | Hosted Office add-in and manifest |
The Windows installer targets x64 Windows and x64 Microsoft 365 Click-to-Run Excel. It requires .NET Framework 4.8 or newer and the machine-wide WebView2 Evergreen Runtime. Close Excel before installing; installation requires administrator access. See the Windows setup guide for developer XLL installation and compatibility details.
For the Microsoft 365 add-in, download the installation manifest and follow the Office installation instructions. Release notes describe package availability and validation status.
Passwords, access tokens, and API keys are never stored in workbooks, formulas, or Power Query definitions. Windows OAuth sessions are encrypted for the current Windows user, and saved AI keys use Windows Credential Manager. Office sign-in material stays in the Office session.
Ask AI communicates with Anthropic using your configured key. This is separate from Cupola's error reporting: diagnostic reports exclude SQL, query results, workbook contents and names, AI prompts and responses, credentials, and connection URLs. See privacy and telemetry settings.
- Development and setup
- Workspace catalog behavior
- Testing
- Building and signing releases
- Windows deployment qualification
- Office release qualification
- Report an issue
Query Farm Source-Available License 1.0.
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