Power BI DropBox Connector In this article you will learn how to integrate DropBox data to Power BI without coding in just a few clicks (live / bi-directional connection to DropBox). Read / write DropBox data inside your app; perform many DropBox operations without coding, just use easy to use high performance API Connector for DropBox. Using DropBox Connector you will be able to connect, read, and write data from within Power BI. Follow the steps below to see how we would accomplish that. Download  Help File  Buy  Driver mentioned in this article 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

See also Connect DropBox in SSIS Connect DropBox in SQL Server Connect DropBox in SSRS Connect DropBox in Informatica Connect DropBox in MS Access Connect DropBox in MS Excel Connect DropBox in SSAS Connect DropBox in C# Connect DropBox in Python Connect DropBox in JAVA Connect DropBox in Tableau Connect DropBox in SAP Crystal Reports Connect DropBox in Azure Data Factory (ADF) Connect DropBox in ODBC

Video Tutorial - Integrate DropBox data in Power BI

This video covers following and more so watch carefully. After watching this video follow the steps described in this article.

• How to download / install required driver for DropBox integration in Power BI
• How to configure connection for DropBox
• Features about API Driver (Authentication / Query Language / Examples / Driver UI)
• Using DropBox Connection in Power BI

Create ODBC Data Source (DSN) based on ZappySys API Driver

To get data from DropBox using Power BI we first need to create a DSN (Data Source) which will access data from DropBox. We will later be able to read data using Power BI. Perform these steps:

1. Install ZappySys ODBC PowerPack.

2. Open ODBC Data Sources (x64):
   

3. Create a User Data Source (User DSN) based on ZappySys API Driver

   ZappySys API Driver

   
   You should create a System DSN (instead of a User DSN) if the client application is launched under a Windows System Account, e.g. as a Windows Service. If the client application is 32-bit (x86) running with a System DSN, use ODBC Data Sources (32-bit) instead of the 64-bit version.

4. When the Configuration window appears give your data source a name if you haven't done that already, then select "DropBox" from the list of Popular Connectors. If "DropBox" 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:

   DropBoxDSN

   DropBox

   

5. 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.

    User Account [OAuth]

   Steps to get DropBox Credentials : User Account [OAuth]
   

   To use OAuth authentication, firstly, you need to create OAuth application:

   1. Log into your DropBox account.
   2. Go to https://www.dropbox.com/developers/apps.
   3. Press Create app button to create a new app.
   4. Once a new page opens, select Scoped access option.
   5. Next, select Full Dropbox to access all files and folders or App folder to access specific folder's files and folders option
   6. Give your app a name
   7. Click create app
   8. Once a new page opens, click Scoped App in Permission type line to select application scopes.
   9. Select all Individual Scopes and Team Scopes if you want to manage team data. Click Submit button.
   10. Select Settings tab, scroll down to App key and App secret and copy paste them into Notepad.
   11. Then in OAuth 2 section add a URL as Redirect URI. If you don't have a working Redirect URI, you may add https://zappysys.com/oauth as Redirect URI

   Use App key and App secret and Redirect URI for use in Connection String when connecting or in UI.

   NOTE: If you are planning to use your current data connection/token for automated processes, we recommend that you use a generic account for token generation when the login box appears (e.g. sales_automation@mycompany.com instead of bob_smith@mycompany.com). When you use a personal account which is tied to a specific employee profile and that employee leaves the company, the token may become invalid and any automated processes using that token will fail. Another potentially unwanted effect of using a personal token is incorrect logging; the API calls (e.g. Read, Edit, Delete, Upload) made with that token will record the specific user as performing the calls instead of an automated process.

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

   DropBoxDSN

   DropBox

   User Account [OAuth]

   https://api.dropboxapi.com/2/

   Required Parameters
   UseCustomApp	Fill in the parameter...
   ReturnUrl	Fill in the parameter...
   Optional Parameters
   ClientId	Fill in the parameter...
   ClientSecret	Fill in the parameter...
   Scope	Fill in the parameter...
   RetryMode	Fill in the parameter...
   RetryStatusCodeList	Fill in the parameter...
   RetryCountMax	Fill in the parameter...
   RetryMultiplyWaitTime	Fill in the parameter...

   

6. 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:
   

7. Click OK to finish creating the data source.

Read DropBox data in Power BI from ODBC

1. Once you open Power BI Desktop click Get Data to get data from ODBC:
   

2. A window opens, and then search for "odbc" to get data from ODBC data source:
   

3. Another window opens and asks to select a Data Source we already created. Choose DropBoxDSN and continue:

   DropBoxDSN

   

4. Most likely, you will be asked to authenticate to a newly created DSN. Just select Windows authentication option together with Use my current credentials option:

   DropBoxDSN

   

5. Finally, you will be asked to select a table or view to get data from. Select one and load the data!
   

6. Finally, use data extracted from DropBox API in Power BI reports:
   

Import DropBox data into Power BI from SQL Query

If you wish to import DropBox data from SQL query rather than selecting table name then you can use advanced options during import steps (as below). After selecting DSN you can click on advanced options to see SQL Query editor.

Import DropBox data into Power BI using SQL Query (ODBC Data source)

Edit Query / Using Parameters in Power BI (Dynamic Query)

let
    vKey=paraAPIKey,
    Source = Odbc.Query(
    "dsn=ZS-OData Customers", 
    "SELECT * FROM value WITH (SRC='http://httpbin.org/post'," 
    & "METHOD='POST'," 
    & "HEADER='Content-Type:application/json'," 
    & "BODY=@'{""CallerId"":1111, ""ApiKey"":""" & vKey & """}')")
in
Source

Edit Query Settings after Import

There will be a time you need to change initial Query after dataset import in Power BI. Not to worry, just follow these steps to edit your SQL.

Edit Power BI Data Source SQL after REST / SOAP Web Service Import

Working with Gateways in Power BI (Schedule Import)

1. In the last section, we Published the report. Power BI may ask you to SIGN IN.
   

   Sign in Power BI

2. Select the Workspace and select Datasets
   

   Go to workspace and dataset

3. Right-click the report and select Settings.
   

   Specify settings for the report

4. The system will ask for a Gateway. Stay here.
   

   Add Power BI Gateway

5. Use the following link to install a Data Gateway:

   https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/power-bi/service-gateway-onprem

6. Run the installer and press Next
   

   Gateway installer

7. Select the option On-premises data gateway (recommended). This option allows access to multiple users and can be used by more applications than Power BI.
   

   Choose Power BI option

8. The installer will show a warning message.
   

   Warning message during installation

9. Select the path to install and check the I accept the terms.
   

   Accept terms

10. Specify the email address to use the gateway.
    

    Register email address

11. After entering the email, write the gateway name and a recovery key. Make sure to confirm the recovery key.
    

    Enter recovery key

Manage gateways and configure the schedule

1. The next step is to go to manage gateway
   

   Power BI - Manage Gateway Setting

2. In order to get the connection string, we will need the connection string of the ZappySys API Driver. In the first section of this post, we explained how to configure it. Press Copy Connection String
   

   Connection properties

3. Once that the data is copied, add a New data Source. In Data Source Name, enter the Data Source Name of the ZappySys API Driver in step 13 and in Data Source Type, select ODBC. In connection string copy and paste from the clipboard of the step 13 and press Add.
   

   ZappySys connection properties in Power BI

4. Once added the gateway. You can see the schedule refresh to On and Add another time to add the time where you want to refresh the data.
   

   Schedule gateway

Create Custom Store 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 Store 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 Store Procedure and write the your desired store procedure and Save it and it will create the custom store 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 Store 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 store 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 store 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 store 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 store procedure and provide you the response.
   

Conclusion

Download DropBox Connector for Power BI Documentation 

Actions supported by DropBox Connector

DropBox Connector Examples for Power BI 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.

SELECT *
  FROM make_test

SELECT *
  FROM list_folder

SELECT *
  FROM list_folder
  WITH (Path='/MySubfolder'
       ,Recursive='true')

SELECT *
  FROM download_file
  WITH (SourceFilePath='/file-I-want-to-download.dat'
        ,ResponseDataFile='C:\path\I\want\to\save\my\file\to.dat'
      )

SELECT *
  FROM download_folder
  WITH (SourcePath='/folder-I-want-to-download'
        ,ResponseDataFile='C:\path\I\want\to\save\my\folder\to.zip'
      )

SELECT *
  FROM upload_file
  WITH (TargetFilePath='/MySubfolder/file-I-want-to-upload-to-dropbox.dat'
        ,DiskFilePath='C:\file\I\want\to\upload.dat'
      )

SELECT *
  FROM delete
  WITH (Path='/path/to/file/in/dropbox/I/want/to/delete.dat')

SELECT *
  FROM create_folder
  WITH (Path='/folder/in/dropbox/I/want/to/create')

Other App Integration scenarios for DropBox

SSIS

SQL Server

SSRS

Informatica

MS Access

MS Excel

SSAS

C#

Python

JAVA

Tableau

SAP Crystal Reports

Azure Data Factory (ADF)

ODBC

Other Connectors for Power BI

Zendesk

Azure DevOps

ManagedEngine ServiceDesk Plus (Zoho)

FastSpring

Zoho CRM

Hubspot

Google Sheets

Stripe

YouTube

Google BigQuery

OneDrive

OData

Amazon Ads

Mailchimp

Jira

Zoho SalesIQ

Outlook Mail (Office 365)

Zoom

Cosmos DB

Shopify

Nativo

Power BI

Google Drive

SharePoint Online

Amazon MWS

ServiceNow

ElasticSearch

Google Calendar

DropBox

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

Download DropBox Connector for Power BI Documentation 

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