How to read Google Drive data in ODBC application?

In this section we will learn how to configure and use Google Drive Connector in the API Driver to extract data from the Google Drive.

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

Step-by-step instructions

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

Install ZappySys ODBC PowerPack.
Open ODBC Data Sources (x64):
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.
When the Configuration window appears give your data source a name if you haven't done that already, then select "Google Drive" from the list of Popular Connectors. If "Google Drive" 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:

GoogleDriveDSN

Google Drive

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 Google Drive Credentials

To make this work you will have to create an OAuth application. To register an App, perform the following steps (Detailed steps found in the help link at the end):

Go to Google API Console
From the Project Dropdown (usually found at the top bar) click Select Project
On Project Propup click CREATE PROJECT
Once project is created you can click Select Project to switch the context (You can click on Notification link or Choose from Top Dropdown)
Click ENABLE APIS AND SERVICES
Now we need to enable Google Drive API.
Search Google Drive API. Select and click ENABLE
Go to back to main screen of Google API Console
Click OAuth Concent Screen Tab. Enter necessary details and Save.
Click Credentials Tab
Click CREATE CREDENTIALS (some where in topbar) and select OAuth Client ID option.
When prompted Select Application Type as Desktop App and click Create to receive your ClientID and Secret. Later on you can use this information now to configure Connection with UseCustomApp=true.
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.
Go to OAuth Consent Screen tab. Under Publishing Status click PUBLISH APP to ensure your refresh token doesnt expire often. If you planning to use App for Private use then do not have to worry about Verification Status after Publish.

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

GoogleDriveDSN

Google Drive

User Account [OAuth]

https://www.googleapis.com/

Required Parameters
UseCustomApp	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...
Redirect URL (Only for Web App)	Fill in the parameter...

Service Account (Using Private Key File) [OAuth]

Steps to get Google Drive Credentials
Use these steps to authenticate as service account rather than Google / GSuite User. Learn more about service account here

Basically to call Google API as Service account we need to perform following steps listed in 3 sections (Detailed steps found in the help link at the end)

Create Project

First thing is create a Project so we can call Google API. Skip this section if you already have Project (Go to next section)

Go to Google API Console
From the Project Dropdown (usually found at the top bar) click Select Project
On Project Propup click CREATE PROJECT
Once project is created you can click Select Project to switch the context (You can click on Notification link or Choose from Top Dropdown)
Click ENABLE APIS AND SERVICES
Now we need to Enable two APIs one by one (Drive API).
Search Drive. Select and click ENABLE

Create Service Account

Once Project is created and APIs are enabled we can now create a service account under that project. Service account has its ID which looks like some email ID (not to confuse with Google /Gmail email ID)

Go to Create Service Account
From the Project Dropdown (usually found at the top bar) click Select Project
Enter Service account name and Service account description
For Role, do not select anything for now and Click Continue and then click Done. Next we will create Key.

Create Key

Once service account is created we need to create key file (i.e. credentials).

In the Cloud Console, click the email address for the service account that you created.
Click Keys.
Click Add key, then click Create new key.
Click Create and select P12 format. A P12 key file is downloaded to your computer. We will use this file in our API connection.
Click Close.
Now you may use downloaded *.p12 key file as secret file and Service Account Email as Client ID (e.g. some-service-account-name@your-project-id.iam.gserviceaccount.com ).

Add Permission

Now last thing is give read/write permission to Service Account. Basically you can create or open Google Sheet and add the Service Account as an editor to it as below.

Copy the email address of your service account we created in previous step (its usually like this some-service-account-name@your-project-id.iam.gserviceaccount.com).
Create or select an existing Google Docs File.
Navigate to Google Docs File for which you like to give read/write access to Service Account.
Click on the Share button in the top right, and add the email address of the service account as an editor. Here is how to share file(s) with specific people. Juse share with Service Account (use Service Account Email found on previous section)

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

GoogleDriveDSN

Google Drive

Service Account (Using Private Key File) [OAuth]

https://www.googleapis.com/

Required Parameters
Service Account Email	Fill in the parameter...
Service Account Private Key Path (i.e. *.p12)	Fill in the parameter...
Optional Parameters
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...

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:
Click OK to finish creating the data source.

Video instructions

Watch this video on YouTube

Reading data from client application

Firstly, to get data from ODBC data source based on ZappySys ODBC driver, in your client application, you would need to connect to ODBC source and then from the list select the data source.
Finally, to read the data just read tables/views in your app or enter a SQL statement to extract data, e.g.:
SELECT * FROM Drive

Google Drive Connector Examples

The ZappySys API Driver is a user-friendly interface designed to facilitate the seamless integration of various applications with the Google Drive API. With its intuitive design and robust functionality, the ZappySys API Driver simplifies the process of configuring specific API endpoints to efficiently read or write data from Google Drive.

Click here to find more Google Drive Connector 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.

Consume Data inside your App / Programming Language

Once you know how to load data from Google Drive Connector, you can click on one of the below links to learn the steps how to consume data inside your App / Programming Language from Google Drive Connector.

ODBC inside ETL / Reporting / BI Tools

ODBC inside Programming Languages

Key features of the ZappySys API Driver include:

The API ODBC driver facilitates the reading and writing of data from numerous popular online services (refer to the complete list here) using familiar SQL language without learning complexity of REST API calls. The driver allows querying nested structure and output as a flat table. You can also create your own ODBC / Data Gateway API connector file and use it with this driver.

Intuitive Configuration: The interface is designed to be user-friendly, enabling users to easily set up the specific API endpoints within Google Drive without requiring extensive technical expertise or programming knowledge.
Customizable Endpoint Setup: Users can conveniently configure the API endpoint settings, including the HTTP request method, endpoint URL, and any necessary parameters, to precisely target the desired data within Google Drive.
Data Manipulation Capabilities: The ZappySys API Driver allows for seamless data retrieval and writing, enabling users to fetch data from Google Drive and perform various data manipulation operations as needed, all through an intuitive and straightforward interface.
Secure Authentication Integration: The driver provides secure authentication integration, allowing users to securely connect to the Google Drive API by inputting the necessary authentication credentials, such as API tokens or other authentication keys.
Error Handling Support: The interface is equipped with comprehensive error handling support, ensuring that any errors or exceptions encountered during the data retrieval or writing process are efficiently managed and appropriately communicated to users for prompt resolution.
Data Visualization and Reporting: The ZappySys API Driver facilitates the seamless processing and presentation of the retrieved data from Google Drive, enabling users to generate comprehensive reports and visualizations for further analysis and decision-making purposes.

Overall, the ZappySys API Driver serves as a powerful tool for streamlining the integration of applications with Google Drive, providing users with a convenient and efficient way to access and manage data, all through a user-friendly and intuitive interface.