Toad Data Point 6.2

Toad Data Point 6.2

Release Notes

Tuesday, November 28, 2023

Contents

About Toad Data Point

Toad^® Data Point is a multi-platform database query tool built for anyone who needs to access data, understand data relationships, and quickly produce reports.

With Toad Data Point, you can:

• Connect to almost any database or ODBC data source (see the Release Notes for a list of tested ODBC connections)
• Write SQL queries and join data across all platforms
• Automate and schedule frequent and repetitive tasks
• Streamline data collection
• Collaborate with team members
• Export data in a variety of file formats

Toad Data Point provides a full-featured Database Explorer, Query Builder, and Editor for the following databases:

• Oracle®
• SQL Server® and SQL Azure
• IBM® DB2® (LUW and z/OS)
• SAP® ASE, IQ, SQL Anywhere, and HANA
• Teradata®
• MySQL
• Snowflake®

Toad Data Point also provides querying and reporting functionality via the following provider types:

• ODBC
• Business Intelligence and NoSQL data sources
• Microsoft® Excel®
• Microsoft Access®

ODBC Connections

The purpose of the ODBC provider is to offer basic connection and querying capabilities to any database that supports an ODBC 3.0 or later driver. For a list of databases tested with the ODBC provider, see the System Requirements in the Release Notes. This form of connectivity allows connections to databases such as Netezza, IBM iSeries, Ingres, and Vertica™. Because this form of connectivity is generic, it is not full-featured and may not be as robust as the fully-exploited providers for the other databases.

Business Intelligence and NoSQL Data Sources

Toad Data Point provides users with the ability to connect to non-traditional data sources, such as Business Intelligence and NoSQL sources. You can connect to these data sources and explore data and objects, query data, report results, and automate tasks.

The following data sources are supported:

Toad Data Point 6.2 is a minor release with new features, security enhancements, and resolved issues.

New Features

In Toad Data Point 6.2 the following new features were implemented:

Transpose Option in Pivot Grid

With the Transpose option, pivot data can be rearranged and prepared for export with just a single click. Seamlessly switching rows and columns within the same pivot grid, users can make data analysis process more efficient:

Advanced Sorting Options in Pivot Grid

With the enhanced sorting capabilities in the Pivot grid, data analysts can now precisely organize their data before exporting. The new sorter allows sorting data based on fields present in the Data area, expanding analysis possibilities.

There are two ways to sort data in the Pivot grid:

• Simply right-click on the Column or Row area and select "Sort by..." to choose between ascending and descending sorting methods for quick and straightforward data arrangement

• Using the "More sort options..." from the Row or Column area context menu where you can additionally use columns from the Data area for sorting

This enhanced sorting empowers you with complete control over your data layout, enhancing your analyses and reports.

Adaptable Total and Grand Total Calculation Mode

Toad Data Point 6.2 introduces a new calculation approach for Total and Grand Total in the Pivot Grid. This additional option allows users to prioritize the summation of calculated fields over the traditional calculation of sums. To ensure a smooth transition, the default calculation for Total and Grand Total columns/rows remains unchanged, preserving backward compatibility:

When exporting the Pivot Grid, chosen settings for Total and Grand Total columns will be reflected, with the exception of ''Excel Pivot'' due to an existing issue in Excel .

Enhanced Email Server Security with Modern Authentication Support

Toad Data Point and Toad Workbook are introducing modern authentication support, enhancing the security of connections to email servers.

This update provides users with the flexibility to select between Basic and OAuth authentication methods. The default authenticator remains as Basic, preserving familiarity for users. Opting for OAuth authentication grants access to additional options such as Tenant ID, Client ID, and Client Secret, ensuring a heightened level of security and customization in their email server connections:

Change connection improvements

In Toad Data Point and Toad Workbook, connection changes have been enhanced, resolving issues with additional temporary tabs, and minimizing delays during connection adjustments. The improved functionality ensures a smoother process by deferring the checking of objects in the changed connection until after running a query, resulting in more efficient workflows.

Enhanced Teradata Query Builder performance

In the Query Builder, users can now choose between ANSI and Teradata native syntax to build queries. This flexibility allows users to select the syntax that aligns with their preferences, and cost savings by reducing query execution times (using the native Teradata syntax).

Both syntaxes seamlessly integrate into the Visualization process, ensuring that downstream steps like pivot, transform, cleanse, and publish work effortlessly with either ANSI or native Teradata SQL syntaxes:

If a Teradata connection is used in the Cross-Connection Query Builder, this feature is not supported.

Visual rename of the Union/Union All operators in the Query Builder tab

In this release of Toad Data Point, Union and Union All operators now can be renamed directly in the Query Builder tab, by using the Rename option from the right-click context menu. This enhancement aims to improve query clarity, particularly in large and complex queries, providing users with a more organized and user-friendly query-building experience:

Added Proxy option for Snowflake connection

Toad Data Point users can now utilize the Proxy option when connecting to Snowflake. The enhanced Advanced tab in the Connection window allows users to seamlessly configure and manage proxy details. Whether choosing HTTPS or a standard proxy, users have the flexibility to customize their Snowflake connections, ensuring a secure and seamless experience:

For optimal feature performance, it is advised to upgrade to Snowflake ODBC version 25.2.12 or later.

Change Connection Functionality in Transform and Cleanse Tab

In Toad Data Point 6.2, the Change Connection option is available on the Transform and Cleanse tab, mirroring the existing feature on the Pivot Grid tab. This enhancement simplifies the process of using a single template across multiple connections to the same data source, eliminating additional steps. Right-clicking on the Transform and Cleanse tab reveals the Change Connection option, making it easy to seamlessly switch between connections of the same type of data source:

Furthermore, the Automation tab introduces an option for choosing connection for the Clean Data step, providing consistent connection management throughout the workflow:

Added support for the SAP HANA Cloud native connection

Toad Data Point now supports SAP HANA Cloud native connections. This enhancement expands users connectivity options, providing a seamless and efficient experience when working with SAP HANA Cloud databases.

Enhanced Export Options for PDF and CSV Files

Toad Data Point 6.2 and Toad Workbook 6.2 introduce enhanced export options for PDF and CSV files based on valuable user feedback. This improvement brings a new level of flexibility and a seamless experience when exporting data.

In Toad Data Point's Pivot Export, when opting for PDF, users will now encounter an enriched "Export As" window. This window provides a manually editable "File Name and Path" field and an Eclipse button for convenient file location selection. File names can be customized with different suffixes.

CSV Export now brings additional options to ensure a consistent and intuitive export from the Pivot grid:

The Dimensional View Export changes introduce additional options for PDF and CSV exports, allowing users to selectively export containers. In the case of PDF export, there is an option to export specifically chosen containers into a single PDF file:

Idea Pond

Got a great idea for a new Toad Data Point feature or enhancement? Share it with the Development Team and the Community by posting it on Idea Pond. Visit Toad Data Point - Idea Pond where you can submit your ideas. You can also read and vote on the enhancement ideas submitted by other Toad users.

Learn More

Remember, you can find blogs, videos, and forums at the Toad Data Point Community.

• Toad Data Point Videos - Learn about new features from product video demos.
• Toad Data Point Forum - Find answers to your questions in the forums.
• Toad Data Point Blog - Learn tips and tricks from blog posts.
• Toad Data Point - Idea Pond - Submit your idea to the Development Team.

System Requirements

Client Requirements

Before installing Toad, ensure that your client system meets the following minimum hardware and software requirements:

Server Requirements

Before installing Toad, ensure that your server meets the following minimum hardware and software requirements:

Virtualization Support

User Requirements

User Requirements to Install Toad

Only Windows Administrators and Power Users can install Toad.

Note: The following exceptions exist for Power Users:

• (DB2 only) A Power User can install Toad as long as this user belongs to the DB2ADMNS or DBUSERS group.

If an Administrator installs Toad, the Administrator can share the Toad shortcut icon on the desktop and menu items with any user—a Power User, Restricted User—on the computer.

If a Power User installs Toad, a Restricted User cannot do the following:

• Associate file extensions.
• View the Toad shortcut icon on the desktop or the Toad menu options in the Windows Start menu. As a workaround, Restricted Users can create a shortcut to Toad from the install directory and place the shortcut on their desktop.

User Requirements and Restrictions for Running Toad

The following describes the requirements and restrictions for users who launch and run Toad:

• (DB2 only) A Windows Power User or Restricted User must belong to the DB2ADMNS or DB2USERS group. To add the user to one of these groups, select Start | Control Panel | Administrative Tools | Computer Management | System Tools | Local Users and Groups | Groups | DB2ADMNS or DB2USERS.
• (DB2 only) A Windows Power User or Restricted User does not have the authority to add or remove DB2 catalog entries using the Toad Client Configuration wizard. However, these users can use the Import Profile function in the Toad Client Configuration wizard to import catalog entries to Toad.

• (DB2 only) To take full advantage of Toad for DB2 LUW functionality, the user ID specified in the Toad connection profile for each DB2 for LUW database connection requires the authorizations listed in the following document:

  ToadDB2LUWAuthorizations.xls

• (DB2 only) As a minimum requirement to manage a DB2 for z/OS subsystem in Toad, the user ID defined in the Toad connection profile for the subsystem must either have SYSADM privileges or SELECT privileges on the DB2 catalog tables. For a complete list of authorizations (and corresponding GRANT statements) a user requires to take full advantage of Toad for DB2 z/OS functionality, refer to the following document:

  ToadDB2zOSAuthorizations.doc

• To create or modify the QuestSoftware.ToadSecurity table to enable Toad Security, the user who maintains this table must have privileges to create, insert, update, and delete it. All other users need only the ability to read the QuestSoftware.ToadSecurity table to use Toad Security features.

Resolved Issues and Enhancements

The following is a list of issues addressed and enhancements implemented in this release of Toad Data Point:

Resolved Issues in 6.2