Cosmos DB Connector for Tableau In this article you will learn how to integrate Cosmos DB data in Tableau without coding in just a few clicks (live / bi-directional connection to Cosmos DB). Connect to your Azure Cosmos DB databases to read, query, create, update, and delete documents and more!. Using Cosmos DB Connector you will be able to connect, read, and write data from within Tableau. Follow the steps below to see how we would accomplish that. Download Documentation The driver mentioned above is part of ODBC PowerPack which is a collection of high-performance Drivers for various API data source (i.e. REST API, JSON, XML, CSV, Amazon S3 and many more). Using familiar SQL query language you can make live connections and read/write data from API sources or JSON / XML / CSV Files inside SQL Server (T-SQL) or your favorite Reporting (i.e. Power BI, Tableau, Qlik, SSRS, MicroStrategy, Excel, MS Access), ETL Tools (i.e. Informatica, Talend, Pentaho, SSIS). You can also call our drivers from programming languages such as JAVA, C#, Python, PowerShell etc. If you are new to ODBC and ZappySys ODBC PowerPack then check the following links to get started. ODBC PowerPack - System Requirements and Installation Getting Started - Using ODBC PowerPack ODBC API Driver Help File

Connect to Cosmos DB in other apps Connect to Cosmos DB in SSIS Connect to Cosmos DB in SQL Server Connect to Cosmos DB in Power BI Connect to Cosmos DB in SSRS Connect to Cosmos DB in Informatica Connect to Cosmos DB in MS Access Connect to Cosmos DB in MS Excel Connect to Cosmos DB in SSAS Connect to Cosmos DB in C# Connect to Cosmos DB in Python Connect to Cosmos DB in JAVA Connect to Cosmos DB in SAP Crystal Reports Connect to Cosmos DB in Azure Data Factory (Pipeline) Connect to Cosmos DB in Azure Data Factory (SSIS) Connect to Cosmos DB in Talend Studio Connect to Cosmos DB in UiPath Connect to Cosmos DB in PowerShell Connect to Cosmos DB in ODBC

Create Data Source in ZappySys Data Gateway based on API Driver

1. Download and install ZappySys ODBC PowerPack.

2. Search for gateway in start menu and Open ZappySys Data Gateway:
   

3. Go to Users Tab to add our first Gateway user. Click Add; we will give it a name tdsuser and enter password you like to give. Check Admin option and click OK to save. We will use these details later when we create linked server:
   

4. Now we are ready to add a data source. Click Add, give data source a name (Copy this name somewhere, we will need it later) and then select Native - ZappySys API Driver. Finally, click OK. And it will create the Data Set for it and open the ZS driver UI.

   CosmosDbDSN

   
   

5. When the Configuration window appears give your data source a name if you haven't done that already, then select "Cosmos DB" from the list of Popular Connectors. If "Cosmos DB" is not present in the list, then click "Search Online" and download it. Then set the path to the location where you downloaded it. Finally, click Continue >> to proceed with configuring the DSN:

   CosmosDbDSN

   Cosmos DB

   

6. Now it's time to configure the Connection Manager. Select Authentication Type, e.g. Token Authentication. Then select API Base URL (in most cases, the default one is the right one). More info is available in the Authentication section.

    ApiKey [Http]

   Steps to get Cosmos DB Credentials : ApiKey [Http]
   Connecting to your Azure Cosmos DB data requires you to authenticate your REST API access. Follow the instructions below:

   1. Go to your Azure portal homepage: https://portal.azure.com/
   2. In the search bar at the top of the homepage, enter Azure Cosmos DB. In the dropdown that appears, select Azure Cosmos DB.
   3. Click on the name of the database account you want to connect to. (Also copy and paste the name of the database account for later use.)
   4. On the next page where you can see all of the database account information, look along the left side and select Keys.
   5. On the Keys page, you will have two tabs: Read-write Keys and Read-only Keys. If you are going to write data to your database, you need to remain on the Read-write Keys tab. If you are only going to read data from your database, you should select the Read-only Keys tab.
   6. On the Keys page, copy the PRIMARY KEY value and paste it somewhere for later use. (The SECONDARY KEY value may also be copied and pasted instead of PRIMARY KEY.)
   7. Back at the connector screen, enter the primary or secondary key you recorded in step 6 into the Primary or Secondary Key field.
   8. Enter the database account you recorded in step 3 into the Database Account field.
   9. Enter or select the default database you want to connect to using the Defualt Database field.
   10. Enter or select the default table (i.e. container/collection) you want to connect to using the Default Table (Container/Collection) field.
   11. Select the Test Connection button at the bottom of the window to verify proper connectivity with your Azure Devops account.
   12. If the connection test succeeds, select OK.

   Fill in all required parameters and set optional parameters if needed:

   CosmosDbDSN

   Cosmos DB

   ApiKey [Http]

   https://[$Account$].documents.azure.com

   Required Parameters
   Primary or Secondary Key	Fill in the parameter...
   Account Name (Case-Sensitive)	Fill in the parameter...
   Database Name (keep blank to use default) Case-Sensitive	Fill in the parameter...
   API Version	Fill in the parameter...
   Optional Parameters
   Default Table (needed to invoke #DirectSQL)	Fill in the parameter...

   

7. Once the data source has been configured, you can preview data. Select the Preview tab and use settings similar to the following to preview data:
   

8. Click OK to finish creating the data source.

Read data in SQL Server from the ZappySys Data Gateway

1. To read the data in SQL Server the first thing you have to do is create a Linked Server. Go to SQL Server Management Studio and configure it in a similar way:
   

2. Then click on Security option and configure username we created in ZappySys Data Gateway in one of the previous steps:
   

3. Optional: Under the Server Options, Enable RPC and RPC Out and Disable Promotion of Distributed Transactions(MSDTC).

   

   ---

   You need to enable RPC Out if you plan to use EXEC(...) AT [MY_LINKED_SERVER_NAME] rather than OPENQUERY.
   If don't enabled it, you will encounter the Server 'MY_LINKED_SERVER_NAME' is not configured for RPC error.

   Query Example:

   EXEC('Select * from Products') AT [MY_LINKED_SERVER_NAME]

   ---

   If you plan to use 'INSERT INTO...EXEC(....) AT [MY_LINKED_SERVER_NAME]' in that case you need to Disable Promotion of Distributed Transactions(MSDTC).
   If don't disabled it, you will encounter the The operation could not be performed because OLE DB provider "SQLNCLI11" for linked server "MY_LINKED_SERVER_NAME" was unable to begin a distributed transaction. error.

   Query Example:

   Insert Into dbo.Products
    EXEC('Select * from Products') AT [MY_LINKED_SERVER_NAME]
   

   ---

4. Finally, open a new query and execute a query we saved in one of the previous steps:
   

   SELECT * FROM OPENQUERY([MY_LINKED_SERVER_NAME], 'SELECT * FROM Products');

   

Create Linked Server using Code

    USE [master]
    GO
    --///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
    --Run below code in SSMS to create Linked Server and use ZappySys Drivers in SQL Server
    --///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

    //Replace YOUR_GATEWAY_USER, YOUR_GATEWAY_PASSWORD
    //Replace localhost with IP/Machine name if ZappySys Gateway Running on different machine other than SQL Server
    //Replace Port 5000 if you configured gateway on a different port


    --1. Configure your gateway service as per this article https://zappysys.com/links?id=10036

    --2. Make sure you have SQL Server Installed. You can download FREE SQL Server Express Edition from here if you dont want to buy Paid version https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-editions-express

    --Uncomment below if you like to drop linked server if it already exists
    --EXEC master.dbo.sp_dropserver @server=N'LS_CosmosDbDSN', @droplogins='droplogins'

    --3. Create new linked server

    EXEC master.dbo.sp_addlinkedserver
      @server = N'LS_CosmosDbDSN'  --Linked server name (this will be used in OPENQUERY sql
    , @srvproduct=N''
    ---- For MSSQL 2012,2014,2016 and 2019 use below (SQL Server Native Client 11.0)---
    , @provider=N'SQLNCLI11'
    ---- For MSSQL 2022 or higher use below (Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server)---
    --, @provider=N'MSOLEDBSQL'
    , @datasrc=N'localhost,5000' --//Machine / Port where Gateway service is running
    , @provstr=N'Network Library=DBMSSOCN;'
    , @catalog=N'CosmosDbDSN' --Data source name you gave on Gateway service settings

    --4. Attach gateway login with linked server

    EXEC master.dbo.sp_addlinkedsrvlogin
    @rmtsrvname=N'LS_CosmosDbDSN'  --linked server name
    , @useself=N'False'
    , @locallogin=NULL
    , @rmtuser=N'YOUR_GATEWAY_USER' --enter your Gateway user name
    , @rmtpassword='YOUR_GATEWAY_PASSWORD'  --enter your Gateway user's password
    GO

    --5. Enable RPC OUT (This is Optional - Only needed if you plan to use EXEC(...) AT YourLinkedServerName rather than OPENQUERY
    EXEC sp_serveroption 'LS_CosmosDbDSN', 'rpc', true;
    EXEC sp_serveroption 'LS_CosmosDbDSN', 'rpc out', true;

    --Disable MSDTC - Below needed to support INSERT INTO from EXEC AT statement
    EXEC sp_serveroption 'LS_CosmosDbDSN', 'remote proc transaction promotion', false;

    --Increase query timeout if query is going to take longer than 10 mins (Default timeout is 600 seconds)
    --EXEC sp_serveroption 'LS_CosmosDbDSN', 'query timeout', 1200;
    GO

Create View in SQL Server

Finally, use this or similar query in a view or stored procedure, which you will be able to use in Tableau. We will create a view to return invoices:

1. CREATE VIEW vwApiInvoices AS
    SELECT * FROM OPENQUERY([MY_LINKED_SERVER_NAME], 'SELECT * FROM Invoices')

Read data in Tableau from SQL Server

Actually, we will be getting data from SQL Server which in turn will be getting data from ZappySys Data Gateway data source. Let's begin and see how to accomplish that:

1. Open Tableau Desktop and click File > New
2. To create new Connection click More > Microsoft SQL Server > Enter your credentials to connect to SQL Server (in our example before we used tdsuser):
3. Once connection is created for SQL Server we can read Cosmos DB data 3 different ways:
   1. Query View which contains OPENQUERY to Linked Server for Cosmos DB data
   2. Use direct SQL Query using OPENQUERY
   3. Use Stored Procedure (Mostly useful to parameterize calls
4. See below example to pull data from Cosmos DB in Tableau using SQL View approach:
5. Once your data sources are created you can click on Sheet1 and drag fields to create visualizations for Tableau Dashboard:

Passing Parameters to Cosmos DB calls in Tableau (Dynamic SQL)

1. First lets create a stored procedure in SQL Server for Parameter Example. Notice how we added WITH RESULT SETS in the code to describe metadata.

   --DROP PROC dbo.usp_GetInvoicesByCountry
   --GO
   /*
   Purpose: Parameterize Cosmos DB call via SQL. Call ZappySys Drivers inside SQL Server.
   */
   CREATE PROC dbo.usp_GetInvoicesByCountry
   	@country varchar(100) 
   AS 
   
   DECLARE @sql varchar(max)
   --//Escape single ticks carefully
   SET @sql =  'SELECT OrderID,CustomerID,Country,Quantity FROM $
   WITH (Src=''https://services.odata.org/V3/Northwind/Northwind.svc/Invoices?$format=json@filter=Country eq '+ @country +'''
   	 ,Filter=''$.value[*]''
   	 ,DataFormat=''OData''
   )'
   
   DECLARE @sqlFull varchar(max)
   SET @sqlFull='SELECT * FROM OPENQUERY( [LS] , ''' + REPLACE( @sql, '''', '''''' ) + ''' )'
   PRINT @sqlFull --//For DEBUG purpose
   
   EXECUTE (@sqlFull) 
   WITH RESULT SETS ( 
    (OrderID int,CustomerID varchar(100),Country varchar(100),Quantity int) --//describe first result. If you don't do this then wont work in Tableau 
   )
   GO
   -- Example call
   EXEC dbo.usp_GetInvoicesByCountry @country='Germany'

2. Once you create a stored procedure go to Tableau datasource and select Database which contains the stored procedure we just created.
3. Now find your stored proc and drag it on the datasource pane. You will see parameters UI as below. You can create new parameter - Select New Parameter under Value Column.
4. Thats it now you can reuse your parameterized datasource anywhere in Dashboard.
5. If you have need to select Parameters from predefined values rather than free text then edit your parameter and select List option. Define values you like to select from as below.
6. When you create Tableau Dashboard you will see Parameter dropdown (If you selected List) elase you may see Textbox to enter custom value.

Firewall settings

So far we have assumed that Gateway is running on the same machine as SQL Server. However there will be a case when ZappySys ODBC PowerPack is installed on a different machine than SQL Server. In such case you may have to perform additional Firewall configurations. On most computers firewall settings wont allow outside traffic to ZappySys Data Gateway. In such case perform following steps to allow other machines to connect to Gateway.

If you are using newer version of ZappySys Data Gateway then adding firewall rule is just a single click.

1. Search for gateway in start menu and open ZappySys Data Gateway.
2. Go to Firewall Tab and click Add Firewall Rule button like below. This will create Firewall rule to all Inbound Traffic on Port 5000 (Unless you changed it).

1. Search for Windows Firewall Advanced Security in start menu.
2. Under Inbound Rules > Right click and click [New Rule] >> Click Next
3. Select Port on Rule Type >> Click Next
4. Click on TCP and enter port number under specified local port as 5000 (use different one if you changed Default port) >> Click Next
5. Select Profile (i.e. Private, Public) >> Click Next
6. Enter Rule name [i.e. ZappySys Data Gateway – Allow Inbound ] >> Click Next
7. Click OK to save the rule

Advanced topics

Create Custom Stored Procedure in ZappySys Driver

You can create procedures to encapsulate custom logic and then only pass handful parameters rather than long SQL to execute your API call.

Steps to create Custom Stored Procedure in ZappySys Driver. You can insert Placeholders anywhere inside Procedure Body. Read more about placeholders here

1. Go to Custom Objects Tab and Click on Add button and Select Add Procedure:
   

2. Enter the desired Procedure name and click on OK:
   

3. Select the created Stored Procedure and write the your desired stored procedure and Save it and it will create the custom stored procedure in the ZappySys Driver:
   Here is an example stored procedure for ZappySys Driver. You can insert Placeholders anywhere inside Procedure Body. Read more about placeholders here
   

   CREATE PROCEDURE [usp_get_orders]
       @fromdate = '<<yyyy-MM-dd,FUN_TODAY>>'
    AS
       SELECT * FROM Orders where OrderDate >= '<@fromdate>';
   

   
   

4. That's it now go to Preview Tab and Execute your Stored Procedure using Exec Command. In this example it will extract the orders from the date 1996-01-01:
   

   Exec usp_get_orders '1996-01-01';

   
   

5. Let's generate the SQL Server Query Code to make the API call using stored procedure. Go to Code Generator Tab, select language as SQL Server and click on Generate button the generate the code.
   As we already created the linked server for this Data Source, in that you just need to copy the Select Query and need to use the linked server name which we have apply on the place of [MY_API_SERVICE] placeholder.
   

   SELECT * FROM OPENQUERY([MY_API_SERVICE], 'EXEC usp_get_orders @fromdate=''1996-07-30''')

   
   

6. Now go to SQL served and execute that query and it will make the API call using stored procedure and provide you the response.
   

Create Custom Virtual Table in ZappySys Driver

ZappySys API Drivers support flexible Query language so you can override Default Properties you configured on Data Source such as URL, Body. This way you don't have to create multiple Data Sources if you like to read data from multiple EndPoints. However not every application support supplying custom SQL to driver so you can only select Table from list returned from driver.

If you're dealing with Microsoft Access and need to import data from an SQL query, it's important to note that Access doesn't allow direct import of SQL queries. Instead, you can create custom objects (Virtual Tables) to handle the import process.

Many applications like MS Access, Informatica Designer wont give you option to specify custom SQL when you import Objects. In such case Virtual Table is very useful. You can create many Virtual Tables on the same Data Source (e.g. If you have 50 URLs with slight variations you can create virtual tables with just URL as Parameter setting.

1. Go to Custom Objects Tab and Click on Add button and Select Add Table:
   

2. Enter the desired Table name and click on OK:
   

3. And it will open the New Query Window Click on Cancel to close that window and go to Custom Objects Tab.

4. Select the created table, Select Text Type AS SQL and write the your desired SQL Query and Save it and it will create the custom table in the ZappySys Driver:
   Here is an example SQL query for ZappySys Driver. You can insert Placeholders also. Read more about placeholders here
   

   SELECT
     "ShipCountry",
     "OrderID",
     "CustomerID",
     "EmployeeID",
     "OrderDate",
     "RequiredDate",
     "ShippedDate",
     "ShipVia",
     "Freight",
     "ShipName",
     "ShipAddress",
     "ShipCity",
     "ShipRegion",
     "ShipPostalCode"
   FROM "Orders"
   Where "ShipCountry"='USA'

   
   

5. That's it now go to Preview Tab and Execute your custom virtual table query. In this example it will extract the orders for the USA Shipping Country only:
   

   SELECT * FROM "vt__usa_orders_only"

   
   

6. Let's generate the SQL Server Query Code to make the API call using stored procedure. Go to Code Generator Tab, select language as SQL Server and click on Generate button the generate the code.
   As we already created the linked server for this Data Source, in that you just need to copy the Select Query and need to use the linked server name which we have apply on the place of [MY_API_SERVICE] placeholder.
   

   SELECT * FROM OPENQUERY([MY_API_SERVICE], 'EXEC [usp_get_orders] ''1996-01-01''')

   
   

7. Now go to SQL served and execute that query and it will make the API call using stored procedure and provide you the response.
   

Actions supported by Cosmos DB Connector

Cosmos DB Connector Examples for Tableau Connection

This page offers a collection of SQL examples designed for seamless integration with the ZappySys API ODBC Driver under ODBC Data Source (36/64) or ZappySys Data Gateway, enhancing your ability to connect and interact with Prebuilt Connectors effectively.

#DirectSQL SELECT * FROM root where root.id !=null order by root._ts desc

SELECT * FROM TestContainer

SELECT * FROM TestContainer Where Id='user2'

SELECT *
FROM query_documents
WITH(
  --  Database='TestDB', --if you dont supply connection level Default Database name is used
	  Table='TestContainer',  
	  Query='select * from root Where root.id!=null order by root._ts desc',
	  Meta='id:string(50);name:string(50);city;age'
	  --Meta='id; name; city; age' -- no types at all. Default is string(2000)
	  --Meta='id; name:string(50); city; age: int'   --Mixed types. If type is missing default string(2000) used
	  --check below URL for more information on Qyery Language Syntax
	  --https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cosmos-db/nosql/query/select
)

INSERT INTO TestContainer (PartitionKey, Document)
VALUES(
'["user2"]', --partition key value must match its attribute from document else it will throw error. In this example container PartitionKey is /id so we used its value. For multiple key use JSON array ["val1","val2"]
'{
  "id": "user2",
  "name": "John Doe",
  "email": "jdoe@contoso.com",
  "phone": ["12345"],
  "level": "platinum"
}'
)
WITH(Upsert='true')

INSERT INTO TestContainer (PartitionKey, Document)
VALUES(
'["user2"]', --partition key value must match its attribute from document else it will throw error. In this example container PartitionKey is /id so we used its value. For multiple key use JSON array ["val1","val2"]
'@c:\data\order.json'   --path must start with @ symbol
)
WITH(Upsert='true', IsMultiPart=1)

INSERT INTO TestContainer (PartitionKey, Document)
VALUES(
'["user2"]', --partition key value must match its attribute from document else it will throw error. In this example container PartitionKey is /id so we used its value. For multiple key use JSON array ["val1","val2"]
'{
  "id": "user2",
  "name": "John Doe",
  "email": "jdoe@contoso.com",
  "phone": ["12345"],
  "level": "platinum"
}')
 WITH(Upsert='true')

UPSERT INTO TestContainer (PartitionKey, Document)
VALUES(
'["user2"]', --partition key value must match its attribute from document else it will throw error. In this example container PartitionKey is /id so we used its value. For multiple key use JSON array ["val1","val2"]
'{
  "id": "user2",
  "name": "John Doe",
  "email": "jdoe@contoso.com",
  "phone": ["12345"],
  "level": "platinum"
}')

UPDATE TestContainer 
SET  
 PartitionKey='["user2"]'
,Document=
'{
  "id" : "user2",
  "name": "John Doe at <<FUN_NOW>>",
  "email": "jdoe@contoso.com",
  "phone": ["<<FUN_TODAY>>"],
  "level": "platinum"
}'
Where Id='user2'

UPDATE TestContainer 
SET  
 PartitionKey='["user2"]'
,Document=
'{
  "operations": [
     { "op": "set", "path": "/name", "value": "updated name" }
	,{ "op": "set", "path": "/email", "value": "updated@email.com" }
  ]
}'
Where Id='user2'
WITH(
		RequestMethod='PATCH' --Partial Replace (change name and email only)
    )
	
/*
Example Document Operations
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cosmos-db/partial-document-update
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/cosmos-db/patch-a-document

[
  { "op": "add", "path": "/color", "value": "silver" },
  { "op": "remove", "path": "/used" },
  { "op": "set", "path": "/price", "value": 355.45 }
  { "op": "incr", "path": "/inventory/quantity", "value": 10 },
  { "op": "add", "path": "/tags/-", "value": "featured-bikes" },
  { "op": "move", "from": "/color", "path": "/inventory/color" }
]

*/

UPDATE TestContainer 
SET  
 PartitionKey='["user2"]'
,Document='@c:\temp\b.txt'  --path must start with @ symbol
Where Id='user2'
WITH(
		 RequestMethod='PATCH' --Partial Replace (change name and email only)
	    ,IsMultiPart=1 --this enables file upload	
    )
	
/*
Example Document Operations
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/cosmos-db/partial-document-update
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/rest/api/cosmos-db/patch-a-document

[
  { "op": "add", "path": "/color", "value": "silver" },
  { "op": "remove", "path": "/used" },
  { "op": "set", "path": "/price", "value": 355.45 }
  { "op": "incr", "path": "/inventory/quantity", "value": 10 },
  { "op": "add", "path": "/tags/-", "value": "featured-bikes" },
  { "op": "move", "from": "/color", "path": "/inventory/color" }
]

*/

SELECT * FROM SysDatabases

SELECT * FROM SysTables

SELECT * FROM SysTables WITH (Database='MyCosmos DB')

SELECT * FROM SysUsers

Conclusion

In this article we discussed how to connect to Cosmos DB in Tableau and integrate data without any coding. Click here to Download Cosmos DB Connector for Tableau and try yourself see how easy it is. If you still have any question(s) then ask here or simply click on live chat icon below and ask our expert (see bottom-right corner of this page).

Download Cosmos DB Connector for Tableau Documentation 

More integrations

Other application integration scenarios for Cosmos DB

SSIS

SQL Server

Power BI

SSRS

Informatica

MS Access

MS Excel

SSAS

C#

Python

JAVA

SAP Crystal Reports

Azure Data Factory (Pipeline)

Azure Data Factory (SSIS)

Talend Studio

UiPath

PowerShell

ODBC

Other connectors for Tableau

Amazon Ads

Amazon MWS

Amazon Selling Partner (SP-API)

Asana

Azure DevOps

Cosmos DB

DropBox

ElasticSearch

FastSpring

Google BigQuery

Google Calendar

Google Drive

Google Sheets

Hubspot

Jira

Mailchimp

ManagedEngine ServiceDesk Plus (Zoho)

Nativo

OData

OneDrive

Outlook Mail (Office 365)

Power BI

ServiceNow

SharePoint Online

Shopify

Smartsheet

Stripe

YouTube

Zendesk

Zoho CRM

Zoho SalesIQ

Zoom

REST API

JSON

JSON File

XML

SOAP

XML File

JDBC-ODBC Bridge

Salesforce

CSV

Amazon S3 JSON File

Amazon S3 XML File

Amazon S3 CSV File

Azure Blob JSON File

Azure Blob XML File

Azure Blob CSV File

FTP/SFTP JSON File

FTP/SFTP XML File

FTP/SFTP CSV File

Build your own Custom API Connector

Download Cosmos DB Connector for Tableau Documentation

Common Searches: