Excel Has No Native Xero Connector - Here's the Automated Path

Xero Excel Connector: Sync Your Accounting Data via Power Query

SyncTools syncs Xero to your own database on an automated schedule. Connect Excel via Power Query - no CSV exports, no stale spreadsheets.

  • Your database - PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, or Azure SQL
  • Flat $50/month, unlimited rows, no overages
  • No CSV exports - Power Query pulls from your SQL database on demand

No credit card required. Setup in under 15 minutes.

Trusted by Accounting and Finance Teams.

Xero has no built-in Excel connector that pushes live data into a spreadsheet on a schedule. Excel reads from databases via Power Query - not directly from accounting APIs.

The standard path for Xero Excel reporting is to sync your Xero data into a SQL database first, then connect Excel via Power Query (Data → Get Data → From Database).

Why Manual Xero CSV Exports Break Down

Xero's export function works fine for a one-off analysis. It fails as a repeatable process - every export is a new file, no version control, no single source of truth. When two people export the same Xero report on different days and paste into different tabs of the same workbook, you get discrepancies that take a Friday afternoon to track down.

Xero's summary report exports flatten line-item detail. Getting invoice lines with account codes and tracking categories requires custom reports or drilling through the Xero UI - neither of which is repeatable at scale. Multi-organisation setups multiply the problem: each Xero org requires a separate export cycle.

The database sync approach removes the export step entirely. SyncTools maintains the Xero API connection, handles incremental sync, and writes normalised relational tables to a SQL database. Excel reads from those tables via Power Query - one refresh command updates all your reports simultaneously.

Once the data is in your database, any SQL-compatible tool can read it: Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or Metabase. Multiple Xero organisations can write to the same database with an organisation_id column for consolidated reporting across entities.

How to Connect Xero to Excel with SyncTools

Four steps. No CSV exports. No custom API code. No VBA macros to maintain.

1

Connect Xero to SyncTools

Authorize SyncTools via the Xero OAuth 2.0 flow - read-only access, no developer credentials required. Select the entities to sync: Invoices, Bills, Contacts, Accounts, Bank Transactions, Payments, Credit Notes, and more.

2

Configure your destination database

Bring your own PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, or Azure SQL instance - or use the SyncTools-hosted database for zero infrastructure setup. SyncTools creates the schema and runs the initial historical sync automatically.

3

Connect Excel via Power Query

In Excel, go to Data → Get Data → From Database. Select your database type, enter credentials, and browse the Navigator to select Xero tables. Load invoices, invoice_lineitems, contacts, and accounts into a worksheet or the data model.

4

Build PivotTables and set up refresh

Join tables in Power Query, build PivotTables for AR aging and revenue by contact. Use tracking categories as slicer dimensions. Set Data → Refresh All to update all queries, or enable refresh-on-open in Query Properties.

What Gets Synced: Xero Financial Data

SyncTools syncs the financial data you need for Excel reporting, structured into query-ready tables with full header and line-item detail.

Accounts Receivable

  • Invoices
  • Payments Received
  • Contacts (Customers)
  • Credit Notes

Accounts Payable

  • Bills
  • Supplier Payments
  • Contacts (Suppliers)
  • Purchase Orders

Banking

  • Bank Transactions
  • Bank Accounts

GL & Reports

  • Chart of Accounts
  • Journal Entries

Dimensions

  • Tracking Category 1
  • Tracking Category 2
  • Expense Claims

P&L & Balance Sheet

  • Revenue by period
  • Spend by account
  • Contact-level P&L
  • Net income

Which Databases Does SyncTools Support

Bring your existing database infrastructure - or use the zero-setup hosted option. Either way, the data lives in infrastructure you control, not inside SyncTools.

Key differentiator: Most Xero ETL tools sync to a proprietary data warehouse you can't access directly. SyncTools writes to a standard SQL database - any tool that speaks SQL works immediately, with no vendor-specific query language to learn.

PostgreSQL

Most popular open-source DB

Fully supported. Ideal for teams running Postgres in AWS RDS, Google Cloud SQL, or on-premises. SyncTools creates and manages the schema automatically. Popular with AU and NZ teams on AWS.

MySQL / MariaDB

Common in existing infrastructure

Supported natively. If your stack already runs MySQL - common in hosting environments and ecommerce backends - SyncTools writes directly into it. No custom configuration required.

SQL Server

Enterprise environments, Power BI's native source

Sync Xero to SQL Server and connect Power BI using its built-in SQL Server connector. No ODBC setup. No custom connector required. The most direct path for Power BI-heavy Microsoft shops.

Azure SQL

Cloud-first Microsoft stack

For organisations already on Azure - common in UK enterprise. Sync Xero to Azure SQL and connect Power BI Service using the managed SQL connector. No gateway required for cloud-to-cloud connections.

SyncTools-Hosted Database

No infrastructure to manage. SyncTools provisions a dedicated database for your organisation and keeps it running. Ideal for AU, NZ, and UK teams that want zero DevOps overhead. Power BI connects via the hosted database's SQL endpoint - no gateway required.

Why Database Sync Beats Manual CSV Exports

The SQL sync → Power Query architecture is not a workaround - it is how finance teams keep Excel reports accurate and up to date without manual effort.

No More Manual Exports

SyncTools syncs Xero on a schedule you control. Excel Power Query refreshes from the database on demand. No one needs to export a CSV, paste data, or fix broken formulas when Xero changes column positions.

Full Line-Item Detail

Invoice line items and bill line items sync with account codes and tracking categories on every row. Power Query loads structured relational tables - not the summary-level flat files Xero CSV exports produce.

Multi-Org Consolidation

Multiple Xero organisations can write to the same SQL database with an organisation_id column on each row. Excel Power Query can consolidate or compare across organisations in a single report.

One-way sync guarantee: SyncTools reads data from Xero and writes to your database. It does not write data back to Xero. Your accounting records are never modified.

SyncTools also supports QuickBooks, Sage, MYOB, NetSuite, Dynamics 365 Business Central, and Zoho Books - so you can sync multiple accounting platforms into the same database for unified Excel reporting. See the QuickBooks Excel Connector, Sage Excel Connector, MYOB Excel Connector, NetSuite Excel Connector, Dynamics 365 Excel Connector, and Zoho Books Excel Connector pages for details.

If you use Power BI, Tableau, or Google Sheets, see the Xero Power BI Connector, Xero Tableau Connector, and Xero Google Sheets Connector pages. For the full step-by-step setup walkthrough, see the Xero Excel Integration Guide.

Flat $50/Month. Unlimited Rows.

No per-seat pricing. No row-volume overages. Your price doesn't change whether you have 1,000 invoices or 1,000,000.

SyncTools - Per Company

$50 /month
  • All Xero entities - AR, AP, Banking, GL, Tracking Categories
  • All supported databases - PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, Azure SQL
  • SyncTools-hosted database option included
  • Automated sync - hourly, daily, or custom schedule
  • Unlimited rows - no overage fees
  • QuickBooks Online support included

Competitors charge by row volume or per data source. At $50/month flat, your cost doesn't scale with your Xero transaction history.

CUSTOMER STORIES

Trusted by Teams Worldwide

Thousands of accounting firms and finance teams rely on SyncTools to streamline reconciliation and save hours every month.

4.9 / 5

Customers who are Trusting Us

Haider Ali

Haider Ali

Business Owner

"Excellent app. Very easy to work with. Very knowledgeable, understanding, and open to any requests."

Tom Brookes

Tom Brookes

Finance Director

"Best in class. If you use Linnworks and Xero, SyncTools is a phenomenal tool, far superior to any alternative we've tried."

Deborah Whitfield

Deborah Whitfield

Customer

"I recently installed SyncTools and it is easy to use. The team worked quickly, kept me informed, and now everything runs smoothly."

Heather Cook

Heather Cook

Customer

"Best Xero connector on the market. Excellent customer support and continuous development from an app that does exactly what it says."

Harvey Uppal

Harvey Uppal

Customer

"AWESOME: Excellent tool and has saved us so much time. Credit to the support team for being so helpful in setup and post-setup."

Geoff Ainsworth

Geoff Ainsworth

Customer

"Excellent tool: Does what it says and connects seamlessly & if you have any issues the support is amazing!"

Nirav Khiroya

Nirav Khiroya

Customer

"Fantastic support: The team has always been diligent and proactive about fixing any bugs that arise. Would highly recommend them."

Robert Morris

Robert Morris

Customer

"Have been using the Linnworks Xero connector for a couple of years now. It is very reliable and the developers are keen to improve it."

Connie Sturman

Connie Sturman

Customer

"I just looked in the connector and it looks like they were able to get the purchase orders synced... thank the team for us. Thank you for your help."

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a native Xero Excel connector?
Xero has no built-in Excel connector that pushes live data into a spreadsheet on a schedule. The manual approach is to export a Xero report as CSV. The automated approach is SyncTools: it syncs Xero to a SQL database, and Excel Power Query reads from that database on demand - no export step required.
How do I connect Xero to Excel without manual export?
Use SyncTools to sync Xero to a SQL database (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server, or Azure SQL), then use Excel Power Query (Data → Get Data → From Database) to connect directly to that database. Power Query loads Xero tables as a refreshable connection - hit Refresh All and you have the latest Xero data without touching the Xero export menu.
Does SyncTools work with Xero and Excel Power Query?
Yes. SyncTools writes Xero data to a SQL database that Excel Power Query connects to using built-in Get Data connectors (SQL Server) or ODBC drivers (PostgreSQL, MySQL). Once connected, any Power Query query against those tables refreshes with one click.
What Xero data can I get into Excel with SyncTools?
SyncTools syncs Xero invoices and line items, bills and line items, contacts (customers and suppliers), chart of accounts, bank transactions, payments, credit notes, purchase orders, expense claims, and tracking categories. Header and line-item tables are both included for full row-level detail.
How often does Xero data refresh in Excel?
SyncTools syncs from Xero on a configurable schedule - every 15 minutes to daily. Excel refreshes from the database when you click Refresh All, or automatically when the file opens if refresh-on-open is enabled in Query Properties.
Can I use Xero tracking categories as dimensions in Excel PivotTables?
Yes. SyncTools syncs Xero tracking categories as columns on invoice and bill rows. In Power Query, you can use tracking category 1 and 2 directly as slicer fields in PivotTables - no additional join logic required.
How much does SyncTools cost?
SyncTools charges $50/month per Xero organisation, unlimited rows, unlimited syncs. No per-seat pricing, no row-volume overages.
Does SyncTools write data back to Xero?
No. SyncTools is a one-way sync - it reads data from Xero and writes to your database. Your Xero data is never modified by SyncTools.

Ready to Connect Xero to Excel?

SyncTools syncs Xero to your own database on an automated schedule. Connect Excel via Power Query for auto-refreshing PivotTables. Flat $50/month, unlimited rows.

Setup in under 15 minutes. No credit card required for trial.