This topic describes how to install Invantive Control for Excel and establish a first connection.
## Installation
- Run the installer (`setup.exe`) and click "Install".
- Invantive Control for Excel loads as an add-in of Microsoft Excel; start it by starting Microsoft Excel.
## Configuration
- On first start the configuration window appears. It can also be forced by holding the Ctrl key while starting Microsoft Excel.
- Select the [[Settings.xml]] file containing the database connection definitions. Connections define the data containers accessed through [[Invantive UniversalSQL/Invantive UniversalSQL|Invantive UniversalSQL]]; a sample file with explanation ships with the product.
## Logging On
- Choose "Log On" on the Control ribbon, or wait for the login window at startup.
- Select the connection, enter user name and password (or use the platform-specific authentication flow) and click "Connect".
- Depending on licence and permissions, the buttons of the [[Invantive Control for Excel/User Interface/Control Ribbon|Control Ribbon]] and [[Invantive Control for Excel/User Interface/Modeler Ribbon|Modeler Ribbon]] become available.
## Next Steps
- Read [[Invantive Control for Excel/Concepts/Concepts|Concepts]] for the general operation.
- As modeler: enable a workbook with "Install Database" on the Modeler ribbon and design a model in the [[Invantive Control for Excel/User Interface/Model Editor|Model Editor]].
- As model user: open a distributed workbook, set the [[Invantive Control for Excel/Concepts/Parameter|parameters]] and use Synchronize to download data.