Connect to SQL Server from Powerpoint

Question

How can I connect to a SQL DB from Powerpoint (be it 2007 or 2010) to generate reports? I've seen quite a few forums and most of them talk about using external tools.

Check http://www.officekb.com/Uwe/Forum.aspx/powerpoint/34863/Linking-PowerPoint-to-a-database

http://www.ljzsoft.com/pptreport/help/ppt-report-help.htm

Isnt there any out of the box solution for this?

P.S. I've also posted this at the MSDN Forum. Didnt get any replies hence posting it here

Answer 1

Start looking into VBA for PowerPoint. This helps with referencing the objects and manipulating PP. You'll need to look into using SQL Server for VBA if you want to provide the content for TextFrames, grids, or Excel Charts.

Answer 2

I would Just do it in Excel, then embed the Excel object in PP Slide. Or Convert the Reports to Images use those.

Coding report in PowerPoint just seems wrong.