Power BI Google Sheets API Connector

In this article you will learn, how to integrate Google Sheets data to Power BI without coding in few clicks (Live / Bi-directional connection to Google Sheets). Read / write Google Sheets data inside your app, perform many Google Sheets operations without coding using easy to use high performance API Connector for Google Sheets

Using Google Sheets API Connector you will be able to connect, read and write data from within Power BI. Let's take a look at the steps below to see how exactly to 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 connection 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 with ODBC and ZappySys ODBC PowerPack then check below links to get started.

Video Tutorial - Integrate Google Sheets 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 Google Sheets integration in Power BI
How to configure connection for Google Sheets
Features about Google Sheets Driver (Authentication / Query Language / Examples / Driver UI)
Using Google Sheets Connection in Power BI

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

To get data from GoogleSheets using Power BI we first need to create a DSN - Data Source - which will access data from GoogleSheets, which later will be able to get using Power BI. Perform these steps:

Install ZappySys ODBC PowerPack.
Open ODBC Data Sources (x64):
Create a User Data Source (User DSN) based on ZappySys API Driver:

You should create System DSN if client application is launched under Windows System Account, e.g. as a Windows Service.
Launch ODBC Data Sources 32-bit version in case your client application is a 32-bit (x86) application (required only for System DSN).
When a window appears, firstly give your data source a name if you haven't done that already, then select "Google Sheets" from the list of Popular Connectors. If "Google Sheets" is not present in the list, then click "Search Online" and download it. Then set the path to the one where you downloaded it. Finally, hit Continue >> button to continue configuring DSN:

GoogleSheetsDSN

Google Sheets

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

Steps to get Google Sheets Credentials
This connection can be configured using two ways. Use Default App (Created by ZappySys) OR Use Custom App created by you.
To use minimum settings you can start with ZappySys created App. Just change UseCustomApp=false on the properties grid so you dont need ClientID / Secret. When you click Generate Token you might see warning about App is not trusted (Simply Click Advanced Link to expand hidden section and then click Go to App link to Proceed).

To regiter custom 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 two APIs one by one (Sheets API and Drive API).
Search Sheets. Select and click ENABLE
Search Drive. 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. You can use this information now to configure Connection with UseCustomApp=true.

API Reference (External Site)

And finally, fill in all the required parameters and set optional parameters if needed.:

GoogleSheetsDSN

Google Sheets

User Account [OAuth]

https://sheets.googleapis.com/v4/spreadsheets

Required Parameters
UseCustomApp	Fill in the parameter...
Optional Parameters
ClientId	Fill in the parameter...
ClientSecret	Fill in the parameter...
Scope	Fill in the parameter...
Default SpreadSheetId	Fill in the parameter...
Default Tab Name (i.e. Sheet1)	Fill in the parameter...

Once you configured a data source, you can preview data. Hit Preview tab, and use similar settings to preview data:
Click OK to finish creating the data source

Read data in Power BI from the DSN

Once you open Power BI Desktop click Get Data to get data from ODBC:
A window opens, and then search for "odbc" to get data from ODBC data source:
Another window opens and asks to select a Data Source we already created. Choose GoogleSheetsDSN and continue:

GoogleSheetsDSN
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:

GoogleSheetsDSN
Finally, you will be asked to select a table or view to get data from. Select one and load the data!
Finally, use data extracted from Google Sheets API in Power BI reports:

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

Go to Custom Objects Tab and Click on Add button and Select Add Procedure:
Enter the desired Procedure name and click on OK:
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>'
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'

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.

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.

Go to Custom Objects Tab and Click on Add button and Select Add Table:
Enter the desired Table name and click on OK:
And it will open the New Query Window Click on Cancel to close that window and go to Custom Objects Tab.
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'
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"

Import Google Sheets data into Power BI from SQL Query

If you wish to import Google Sheets 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 Google Sheets data into Power BI using SQL Query (ODBC Data source)

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

In the real world, many values of your REST / SOAP API call may be coming from Parameters. If that's the case for you can try to edit script manually as below. In below example its calling SQL Query with POST method and passing some parameters. Notice below where paraAPIKey is Power BI Parameter (string type). You can use parameters anywhere in your script just like the normal variable.

let
    vKey=paraAPIKey,
    Source = Odbc.Query(
    "dsn=ZS-OData Customers", 
    "SELECT * FROM $ 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 SOAP Web Service Import

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

Using DirectQuery Option rather than Import

So far we have seen how to Import REST API data into Power BI but what if you have too much data and you dont want to import but link it. Power BI Offers very useful feature for this scenario. Its called DirectQuery Option. In this section we will explore how to use DirectQuery along with ZappySys Drivers. Out of the box ZappySys Drivers wont work in ODBC Connection Mode so you have to use SQL Server Connection rather than ODBC if you wish to use Live data using DirectQuery option. See below step by step instructions to enable DirectQuery mode in Power BI for REST API data. Basically we will use ZappySys Data Gateway its part of ODBC PowerPack. We will then use Linked Server in SQL Server to Link API Service and then we will issue OPENROWSET queries from Power BI to SQL Server and it will then call REST API via ZappySys Data Gateway.

Step-By-Step

First read this article carefully, How to query Google Sheets API in SQL Server.
Once linked server is configured we are ready to issue API query in Power BI.
Click Get Data in Power BI, select SQL Server Database
Enter your server name and any database name
Select Mode as DirectQuery
Click on Advanced and enter query like below (we are assuming you have created JSON Data Source in Data Gateway and defined linked server (Change name below).
```
Select * from OPENQUERY(GOOGLE SHEETS_LINKED_SERVER,'SELECT * FROM Customers')
```
Select * from OPENQUERY(
GOOGLE SHEETS_LINKED_SERVER,
'SELECT * FROM Customers'
)

DirectQuery option for Power BI (Read REST API Data Example using SQL Server Linked Server and ZappySys Data Gateway)
Click OK and Load data ... That's it. Now your Google Sheets API data is linked rather than imported.

Working with Gateways in Power BI (Schedule Import)

If the data needs to be updated, it is necessary to create a gateway on-premises. In this new section, we will install a Power BI Gateway and in the next section schedule it to update the REST API information.

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

Sign in Power BI
Select the Workspace and select Datasets

Go to workspace and dataset
Right-click the report and select Settings.

Specify settings for the report
The system will ask for a Gateway. Stay here.

Add Power BI Gateway

Use the following link to install a Data Gateway:

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

Run the installer and press Next

Gateway installer
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
The installer will show a warning message.

Warning message during installation
Select the path to install and check the I accept the terms.

Accept terms
Specify the email address to use the gateway.

Register email address
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

Once that the gateway is installed we will configure it and add the connection strings.

The next step is to go to manage gateway

Power BI - Manage Gateway Setting
In order to get the connection string, we will need the connection string of the ZappySys JSON Driver. In the first section of this post, we explained how to configure it. Press Copy Connection String

Connection properties
Once that the data is copied, add a New data Source. In Data Source Name, enter the Data Source Name of the ZappySys JSON 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
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

Conclusion

In this article we discussed how to connect to Google Sheets in Power BI and integrate data without any coding. Click here to Download Google Sheets Connector for Power BI 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).

Documentation

Actions supported by Google Sheets Connector

Google Sheets Connectors support following actions for REST API integration. If some actions are not listed below then you can easily edit Connector file and enhance out of the box functionality.

Read Sheet Data

Read google spreadsheet data from desired tab / cell location (i.e. start/end range)

Parameter	Description
Range

Clear Sheet Values

Clears values from a spreadsheet. The caller must specify the spreadsheet ID and range. Only values are cleared -- all other properties of the cell (such as formatting, data validation, etc..) are kept.

Parameter	Description
Range

Delete Sheet Rows / Columns

Deletes rows / columns based on startIndex / endIndex range (Index is zero based). For example to delete First 5 rows specify startIndex=0 and endIndex=4

Parameter

Description

Range Type

Specifies what would you like to delete (i.e. Rows or Columns)

Option	Value
ROWS	ROWS
COLUMNS	COLUMNS

Range Start Index (starts from 0)

Range Start Index (Zero based) for operation. For Column Operation translate Alpha value to zero based index. Example: Column D = Index 3. Column AA=26

Range End Index (starts from 0)

Range End Index (Zero based) for operation. For Column Operation translate Alpha value to zero based index. Example: Column D = Index 3. Column AA=26

TabId

Numeric ID of SpreadSheet Tab for which you like to delete rows/columns. For first tab its 0. You can find this ID from Sheet URL in browser. Get Number after edit#gid= (thats your Tab ID)

Delete SpreadSheet Tab

Deletes specified tab from spreadsheet

Parameter	Description
TabId	Numeric ID of SpreadSheet Tab for which you like to delete rows/columns. For first tab its 0. You can find this ID from Sheet URL in browser. Get Number after edit#gid= (thats your Tab ID)

Create SpreadSheet Tab

Creates new tab for specified spreadsheet.

Parameter	Description
NewTabName	Name for new Tab you like to add
InitialRowCount	Initial row count for new sheet
InitialColumnCount	Initial column count for new sheet
TabColorRedValue	Tab Color - Red Value for RGB
TabColorGreenValue	Tab Color - Green Value for RGB
TabColorBlueValue	Tab Color - Blue Value for RGB

Execute Command(s)

Perform various operations available in online editor such as copy, paste, format, merge. Add multiple JSON command by adding comma after first command (e.g. requests : [ {..cmd1..} , {..cmd2..}, {..cmd3..} ] ) Refer to example requests on help link.

Parameter	Description
Request Body
TabId	Numeric ID of SpreadSheet Tab for which you like to delete rows/columns. For first tab its 0. You can find this ID from Sheet URL in browser. Get Number after edit#gid= (thats your Tab ID)

Update Sheet Data (Overwrite Cells)

Update data to spreadsheet on desired tab / cell location (i.e. start/end range)

Parameter	Description
Range for Table Boundary (Including Header)	Enter Range to detect Table column names and datatypes. Example: enter A1:C if you have table of 3 columns starting from Cell A1
Range for Data Cells	Cell Range which needs to be update. Example: Enter A2 if you like to start update from cell A2

Insert Sheet Data (Append at the end)

Append data to spreadsheet on desired tab. Data is appended after last non-empty row/cell location. You can supply cell offset to start scan to find non-empty cell.

Parameter	Description
Start Range	This is the range in which next row location is detected based on first empty cell and row (Examples: A1, A1:GR, A1:GR200). This range is also used to detect metadata. Values are appended after the last row of the table.

Get Sheet Properties / Tab information

Read read sheet properties (e.g. list of tabs on sheet and its properties)

Parameter

Description

SpreadSheetId

Option	Value
Enter SpreadSheet Id
Example SpreadSheet Id	1BxiMVs0XRA5nFMdKvBdBZjgmUUqptlbs74OgvE2upms

Generic Request

This is generic endpoint. Use this endpoint when some actions are not implemented by connector. Just enter partial URL (Required), Body, Method, Header etc. Most parameters are optional except URL.

Parameter	Description
Url	API URL goes here. You can enter full URL or Partial URL relative to Base URL. If it is full URL then domain name must be part of ServiceURL or part of TrustedDomains
Body	Request Body content goes here
IsMultiPart	Check this option if you want to upload file(s) (i.e. POST RAW file data) or send data using Multi-Part encoding method (i.e. Content-Type: multipart/form-data). Multi-Part request allows you to mix key/value and upload files in same request. On the other hand raw upload allows only single file upload (without any key/value) ==== Raw Upload (Content-Type: application/octet-stream) ===== To upload single file in raw mode check this option and specify full file path starting with @ sign in the Body (e.g. @c:\data\myfile.zip ) ==== Form-Data / Multipart Upload (Content-Type: multipart/form-data) ===== To treat your Request data as multi part fields you must specify key/value pairs separated by new lines into RequestData field (i.e. Body). Each key value pair is entered on new-line and key/value are separated using equal sign (=). Preceding and trailing spaces are ignored also blank lines are ignored. If field value has some any special character(s) then use escape sequence (e.g. For NewLine: \r\n, For Tab: \t, For at (@): \@). When value of any field starts with at sign (@) its automatically treated as File you want to upload. By default file content type is determined based on extension however you can supply content type manually for any field using this way [ YourFileFieldName.Content-Type=some-content-type ]. By default File Upload Field always includes Content-Type in the request (non file fields do not have content-type by default unless you supply manually). For some reason if you dont want to use Content-Type header in your request then supply blank Content-Type to exclude this header altogather [e.g. SomeFieldName.Content-Type= ]. In below example we have supplied Content-Type for file2 and SomeField1, all other fields are using default content-type. See below Example of uploading multiple files along with additional fields. file1=@c:\data\Myfile1.txt file2=@c:\data\Myfile2.json file2.Content-Type=application/json SomeField1=aaaaaaa SomeField1.Content-Type=text/plain SomeField2=12345 SomeFieldWithNewLineAndTab=This is line1\r\nThis is line2\r\nThis is \ttab \ttab \ttab SomeFieldStartingWithAtSign=\@MyTwitterHandle
Filter	Enter filter to extract array from response. Example: $.rows[] --OR-- $.customers[].orders[*]. Check your response document and find out hierarchy you like to extract
Headers	Headers for Request. To enter multiple headers use double pipe or new line after each {header-name}:{value} pair

Other App Integration scenarios for Google Sheets

SSIS

SQL Server

SSRS

Informatica

MS Access

MS Excel

SSAS

Python

JAVA

Tableau

SAP Crystal Reports

ODBC

Other API Connectors for Power BI

Zendesk

Zoho CRM

Hubspot

Google Sheets

Google BigQuery

OneDrive

OData

Jira

Nativo

Google Drive

SharePoint Online

Amazon MWS

ElasticSearch

Google Calendar

JSON Connector

Salesforce Connector

JDBC Connector

Documentation

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Power BI Google Sheets API Connector

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Power BI Google Sheets API Connector

Video Tutorial - Integrate Google Sheets data in Power BI

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

Read data in Power BI from the DSN

Create Custom Store Procedure in ZappySys Driver

Create Custom Virtual Table in ZappySys Driver

Import Google Sheets data into Power BI from SQL Query

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

Edit Query Settings after Import

Using DirectQuery Option rather than Import

Step-By-Step

Working with Gateways in Power BI (Schedule Import)

Manage gateways and configure the schedule

Conclusion

Actions supported by Google Sheets Connector

Other App Integration scenarios for Google Sheets

Other API Connectors for Power BI

How to connect Google Sheets in Power BI?

How to get Google Sheets data in Power BI?

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Google Sheets API Call in Power BI