The add-in provides custom Excel functions under the ASTRATO namespace.
ASTRATO.TABLE
Returns a full dataset as a spilled table.
=ASTRATO.TABLE("Sales")
The first argument is the dataset name.
The result includes a header row and data rows. Header cells contain rich metadata such as semantic layer name, connection name, SQL, last updated time, and column information.
ASTRATO.TABLE returns values only. Dataset number formats are applied when you insert or refresh a dataset as an Excel table from the task pane, not when the dataset is returned by a formula.
Make sure the spill area below and to the right of the formula cell is empty.
ASTRATO.LASTUPDATED
Returns the timestamp of the cached result used by the dataset.
=ASTRATO.LASTUPDATED("Sales")
You can pass the same parameter and variable overrides that you pass to ASTRATO.TABLE.
ASTRATO.PARAMETER
Creates a structured parameter override for a formula.
=ASTRATO.PARAMETER("Factor", 2)
The visible text is:
Factor: 2
The cell also contains structured metadata so ASTRATO.TABLE can read it as a parameter override.
Use a parameter to override a named parameter on a semantic layer measure.
ASTRATO.VARIABLE
Creates a structured variable override for a formula.
=ASTRATO.VARIABLE("Color", "Blue")
The visible text is:
Color: Blue
Use a variable override to replace a workbook variable value for one formula call.
Use NA() to Disable a Variable-Driven Filter
Use Excel’s NA() function when a variable should resolve to NULL.
This is useful for optional filters. If a dataset filter is driven by a variable, passing NULL tells Astrato to ignore that variable value so the filter is deactivated for that query.
Example:
=ASTRATO.TABLE("Sales", ASTRATO.VARIABLE("Regions", NA()))
You can also put the variable helper in its own cell:
=ASTRATO.VARIABLE("Regions", NA())
Then reference that helper cell from the dataset formula:
=ASTRATO.TABLE("Sales", D4)
Use NA() only when you intentionally want the value to be NULL. Other Excel errors still indicate a problem and should be fixed.
Excel localizes built-in function names. In English Excel, use NA(). In some localized Excel versions, Excel may display or require the localized function name, such as NV() in German Excel.
Simple Examples
Return a dataset:
=ASTRATO.TABLE("Sales")
Show when it was last refreshed:
=ASTRATO.LASTUPDATED("Sales")
Use a parameter directly:
=ASTRATO.TABLE("Sales", ASTRATO.PARAMETER("Factor", 2))
Use a variable directly:
=ASTRATO.TABLE("Sales", ASTRATO.VARIABLE("Color", "Blue"))
Reference helper cells:
=ASTRATO.TABLE("Sales", D3, D4)
Where D3 contains:
=ASTRATO.PARAMETER("Factor", 2)
And D4 contains:
=ASTRATO.VARIABLE("Color", "Blue")
Formula Text Also Works
The add-in also reads ASTRATO.PARAMETER and ASTRATO.VARIABLE calls from the formula text. This helps Excel pass overrides reliably.
For example:
=ASTRATO.TABLE("Sales", ASTRATO.PARAMETER("Factor", 2), ASTRATO.VARIABLE("Color", "Blue"))