JDBC-ODBC Bridge Connector for UiPath

JDBC-ODBC Bridge driver can be used to consume data from any JDBC Driver in non JAVA apps (i.e. Excel, Power BI, C#). Many apps written in C++ or .net (e.g. Excel, Power BI, Informatica) which don’t have direct support for using JAVA based JDBC driver technology.

In this article you will learn how to quickly and efficiently integrate JDBC-ODBC Bridge data in UiPath without coding. We will use high-performance JDBC-ODBC Bridge Connector to easily connect to JDBC-ODBC Bridge and then access the data inside UiPath.

Let's follow the steps below to see how we can accomplish that!

Download Documentation

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you meet the following prerequisite: Java Runtime Environment (JRE) or Java Development Kit (JDK) must be installed on your system.

If your JDBC Driver targets a different Java version (e.g., 11 / 17 / 21), install the corresponding or newer Java version.

If you already have a JRE installed, you can try using it too. However, if you experience any issues, we recommend using one of the distributions mentioned above (you can install an additional JRE next to the existing one; just don't forget to configure the default Java in the Windows Environment Variables).

Download your Java application JDBC driver

To connect to your Java application in , you will have to download JDBC driver for it, which we will use in later steps. Let's perform these little steps right away:

  1. Visit your Java application website or MVN Repository.
  2. Download the JDBC driver, and save it locally, e.g. to D:\Drivers\JDBC\app-jdbc.jar.
  3. Done! That was easy, wasn't it? Let's proceed to the next step.

Create ODBC Data Source (DSN) based on ZappySys JDBC Bridge Driver

Step-by-step instructions

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

  1. Download and install ODBC PowerPack.

  2. Open ODBC Data Sources (x64):

    Open ODBC Data Source
  3. Create a User data source (User DSN) based on ZappySys JDBC Bridge Driver:

    ZappySys JDBC Bridge Driver
    Create new User DSN for ZappySys JDBC Bridge Driver
    • Create and use User DSN if the client application is run under a User Account. This is an ideal option in design-time, when developing a solution, e.g. in Visual Studio 2019. Use it for both type of applications - 64-bit and 32-bit.
    • Create and use System DSN if the client application is launched under a System Account, e.g. as a Windows Service. Usually, this is an ideal option to use in a production environment. Use ODBC Data Source Administrator (32-bit), instead of 64-bit version, if Windows Service is a 32-bit application.
  4. Now, we need to configure the JDBC connection in the new ODBC data source. Simply enter the Connection string, credentials, configure other settings, and then click Test Connection button to test the connection:

    JdbcOdbcBridgeDSN
    jdbc:exampleApp://app-service-host-name.com:1234
    com.provider.exampleApp.jdbc.AppDriver
    D:\Drivers\JDBC\app-jdbc.jar
    admin
    *************
    [{"Name":"AppParameter","Value":"12345"}]
    JDBC-ODBC Bridge driver data source settings

    Use these values when setting parameters:

    • Connection string: jdbc:exampleApp://app-service-host-name.com:1234
    • Driver class: com.provider.exampleApp.jdbc.AppDriver
    • JDBC driver file(s): D:\Drivers\JDBC\app-jdbc.jar
    • User name: admin
    • User password: *************
    • Connection parameters: [{"Name":"AppParameter","Value":"12345"}]

  5. You should see a message saying that connection test is successful:

    ODBC connection test is successful

    Otherwise, if you are getting an error, check out our Community for troubleshooting tips.

  6. We are at the point where we can preview a SQL query. For more SQL query examples visit JDBC Bridge documentation:

    JdbcOdbcBridgeDSN
    SELECT * FROM orders
    JDBC ODBC Bridge data source preview
    SELECT * FROM orders
    You can also click on the <Select Table> dropdown and select a table from the list.

    The ZappySys JDBC Bridge Driver acts as a transparent intermediary, passing SQL queries directly to the JDBC driver, which then handles the query execution. This means the Bridge Driver simply relays the SQL query without altering it.

    Some JDBC drivers don't support INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE statements, so you may get an error saying "action is not supported" or a similar one. Please, be aware, this is not the limitation of ZappySys JDBC Bridge Driver, but is a limitation of the specific JDBC driver you are using.

  7. Click OK to finish creating the data source.

Video Tutorial

Read JDBC-ODBC Bridge data in UiPath Studio (workstation)

Here we will be reading JDBC-ODBC Bridge data on your workstation. To accomplish that we will create and run UiPath process package locally. Later on, we'll explore how to publish the package to Orchestrator and run it remotely. For now, let's focus on working locally and get started!

  1. Open UiPath Studio.

  2. Before we really begin the work, make sure UiPath Studio is set as your profile (blue application icon).

  3. In case, it is set to UiPath StudioX, you can change it in UiPath StudioX Settings:

    Choosing UiPath Studio profile

    Simply select UiPath Studio option:

    Choosing UiPath Studio profile
  4. Start by creating a new project based on UiPath Process template:

    Creating new process in UiPath Studio to import ODBC data
  5. Add Run Query activity in Main Sequence box:

    Adding ODBC data source in UiPath Studio
  6. Click Configure Connection... button to create an ODBC connection:

    Configuring ODBC data source in UiPath in Run Query activity
  7. Continue by clicking Connection Wizard:

    Using connection wizard to setup ODBC source in UiPath Studio
  8. When the window opens, select ODBC-based driver, provider, and then choose ODBC data source:

    JdbcOdbcBridgeDSN
    JdbcOdbcBridgeDSN
    Choosing ODBC DSN in UiPath Studio connection wizard
    You can also select Use connection string option and use whole ODBC connection string instead. Obtain the connection string by pressing Copy Settings button in your data source configuration.
  9. Once you do that, it's time to configure a SQL query:

    Inputting SQL query for ODBC data source in UiPath Studio
    Make sure, you enclose the query in double quotes!
  10. Proceed by adding a Write CSV activity after Run Query:

    Adding Write CSV activity to write ODBC data in UiPath
    In this article we are using Write CSV, but you can freely add any other destination of your choice, e.g. Write DataTable to Excel.
  11. Once you do that, configure the added Write CSV, this will write JDBC-ODBC Bridge data to a CSV file:

    Configuring Write CSV activity to write ODBC data in UiPath
  12. It's time for fun! Which means it's time for debugging! Just run the package locally to debug:

    Running UiPath process package to get ODBC data
  13. Finally, ensure there are no execution errors!

    Successful UiPath package debugging

Run UiPath package using Orchestrator (via robot)

UiPath also offers the ability to execute packages remotely using Orchestrator and a robot. This is achieved by publishing the package to UiPath Orchestrator, installing UiPath Assistant on the remote machine, connecting it to Orchestrator, enabling us to run the package remotely. It may sound complicated at first glance, but further steps will clear things out. Let's not waste our precious time and delve into the details!

Publish process package from UiPath Studio

  1. First of all, open the UiPath process package we created in the previous step
  2. Set the option that our process package Starts in Background: Marking UiPath process package to start in background
  3. We are ready to Publish it: Publishing UiPath process package to read ODBC data
  4. Make sure, you publish it to the Shared folder in UiPath Orchestrator Tenant workspace: Setting package publishing path in UiPath Studio
  5. Finally, success! We are ready for the next step - creating UiPath robot - so we can automate the job: Great news! The UiPath package is now published

Create robot in UiPath Orchestrator

  1. First of all, let's open UiPath Orchestrator from UiPath Automation Cloud console: Opening UiPath Orchestrator
  2. It's time to create a robot, which will run unattended packages: Creating unattended setup in UiPath Orchestrator
  3. But first we have to create a runtime. Choose to host our robot on-premise, not in UiPath infrastructure: Creating self-hosted robot in UiPath Orchestrator
  4. Let's move along and Create new machine template, this will create a machine in UiPath Orchestrator: Creating new machine template in UiPath Orchestrator
  5. Configure the machine to run in Production environment: Adding machine template in UiPath Orchestrator
  6. We are ready to Create new robot account in the new machine: Creating new robot account in UiPath Orchestrator
  7. Let's make our robot to work only on background automations: Configuring new robot account in UiPath Orchestrator
  8. Continue by selecting newly created robot: Selecting robot account in UiPath Orchestrator
  9. Select Shared folder, so that everyone in the team can benefit from it: Selecting folder for robot in UiPath Orchestrator
    This is the folder where we published our UiPath process package "MyProcess"
  10. We are almost done! We are given machine Client ID and Client secret which we will use to connect UiPath Assistant to our created machine in Orchestrator. Let's leave this open for a while and see how we can do it in the next step. Configuring machine template, Client ID, and Secret in UiPath Orchestrator

Connect UiPath Assistant to Orchestrator

We are ready to connect UiPath Assistant to the machine we created in Orchestrator. UiPath Assistant will run our package in a remote machine. Let's connect it and give it some work!

  1. Connect to a remote machine (where your UiPath process package will be running).
  2. Install UiPath Studio there.
  3. Then configure ODBC data source:

    If you chose Use user or system data source option in connection configuration, when creating UiPath process package, then create an identical ODBC data source on the same remote machine. Use the same configuration as the one created in your workstation in the first step.

    Use Copy Settings and Load Settings buttons to make your life easier. They will help you to transfer settings between different ODBC data sources.

    If you chose Use connection string option, then you don't have to do anything. However, you still have to install ODBC PowerPack on the remote machine.

  4. Continue by opening UiPath Assistant and going to Preferences: Configuring UiPath Assistant to read ODBC data
  5. Find Orchestrator Settings menu item and click it: Configuring Orchestrator settings in UiPath Assistant
  6. And here even bigger fun begins! But fear not, all you have to do is open your web browser window with Client ID & Client secret we obtained in the previous step and simply copy and paste those values into UiPath Assistant. Also, don't forget to configure Orchestrator URL: Configuring Client ID and Secret in UiPath Assistant
  7. Finally, we get rewarded for the hard work with the Connected as Unattended status: Successfully connecting UiPath Assistant to get ODBC data

Create and run UiPath process in Orchestrator

We are at the finish line! Let's create and run UiPath process. This will execute the package on your remote machine using the UiPath Assistant configured earlier.

  1. First of all, open UiPath Orchestrator from UiPath Automation Cloud console.
  2. Then proceed by going to Process in Shared folder: Going to Processes to create UiPath process
  3. Continue by simply clicking on Add process button: Creating UiPath process in UiPath Orchestrator
  4. Select the process package we created in UiPath Studio: Selecting UiPath package in UiPathp process
  5. Rest a while, and just hit Next, unless your package has requirements: Configuring UiPath package requirements (optional)
  6. Then simply hit Create button: Naming UiPath process and setting priority
  7. But let's not stop here and Start the process by creating a job right away: Finishing creating UiPath process to get JDBC-ODBC Bridge Data
  8. Use the same Production runtime we created before and hit Start: Starting UiPath job
  9. We've reached the final step! In the CSV destination file or destination of your choice you should see JDBC-ODBC Bridge data: Successfully running UiPath job

Centralized data access via Data Gateway

In some situations, you may need to provide JDBC-ODBC Bridge data access to multiple users or services. Configuring the data source on a Data Gateway creates a single, centralized connection point for this purpose.

This configuration provides two primary advantages:

  • Centralized data access
    The data source is configured once on the gateway, eliminating the need to set it up individually on each user's machine or application. This significantly simplifies the management process.
  • Centralized access control
    Since all connections route through the gateway, access can be governed or revoked from a single location for all users.
Data Gateway
Local ODBC
data source
Simple configuration
Installation Single machine Per machine
Connectivity Local and remote Local only
Connections limit Limited by License Unlimited
Central data access
Central access control
More flexible cost

If you need any of these requirements, you will have to create a data source in Data Gateway to connect to JDBC-ODBC Bridge, and to create an ODBC data source to connect to Data Gateway in UiPath.

Let's not wait and get going!

Creating JDBC-ODBC Bridge data source in Gateway

In this section we will create a data source for JDBC-ODBC Bridge in Data Gateway. Let's follow these steps to accomplish that:

  1. Search for gateway in Windows Start Menu and open ZappySys Data Gateway Configuration:

    Opening Data Gateway
  2. Go to Users tab and follow these steps to add a Data Gateway user:

    • Click Add button
    • In Login field enter username, e.g., john
    • Then enter a Password
    • Check Is Administrator checkbox
    • Click OK to save
    Data Gateway - Adding User
  3. Now we are ready to add a data source:

    • Click Add button
    • Give Datasource a name (have it handy for later)
    • Then select Native - ZappySys JDBC Bridge Driver
    • Finally, click OK
    JdbcOdbcBridgeDSN
    ZappySys JDBC Bridge Driver
    Data Gateway - Adding data source
  4. When the ZappySys JDBC Bridge Driver configuration window opens, configure the Data Source the same way you configured it in ODBC Data Sources (64-bit), in the beginning of this article.

  5. Very important step. Now, after creating or modifying the data source make sure you:

    • Click the Save button to persist your changes.
    • Hit Yes, once asked if you want to restart the Data Gateway service.

    This will ensure all changes are properly applied:

    ZappySys Data Gateway - Save Changes
    Skipping this step may result in the new settings not taking effect and, therefore you will not be able to connect to the data source.

Creating ODBC data source for Data Gateway

In this part we will create ODBC data source to connect to Data Gateway from UiPath. To achieve that, let's perform these steps:

  1. Open ODBC Data Sources (x64):

    Open ODBC Data Source
  2. Create a User data source (User DSN) based on ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server:

    ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server
    Create new User DSN for ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server
    If you don't see ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server driver in the list, choose a similar version driver.
  3. Then set a Name of the data source (e.g. Gateway) and the address of the Data Gateway:

    GatewayDSN
    localhost,5000
    ODBC driver for SQL Server - Setting hostname and port
    Make sure you separate the hostname and port with a comma, e.g. localhost,5000.
  4. Proceed with authentication part:

    • Select SQL Server authentication
    • In Login ID field enter the user name you used in Data Gateway, e.g., john
    • Set Password to the one you configured in Data Gateway
    ODBC driver for SQL Server - Selecting SQL Authentication
  5. Then set the default database property to JdbcOdbcBridgeDSN (the one we used in Data Gateway):

    JdbcOdbcBridgeDSN
    ODBC driver for SQL Server - Selecting database
  6. Continue by checking Trust server certificate option:

    ODBC driver for SQL Server - Trusting certificate
  7. Once you do that, test the connection:

    ODBC driver for SQL Server - Testing connection
  8. If connection is successful, everything is good:

    ODBC driver for SQL Server - Testing connection succeeded
  9. Done!

We are ready to move to the final step. Let's do it!

Accessing data in UiPath via Data Gateway

Finally, we are ready to read data from JDBC-ODBC Bridge in UiPath via Data Gateway. Follow these final steps:

  1. Go back to UiPath.

  2. Add Run Query activity in Main Sequence box:

    Adding ODBC data source in UiPath Studio
  3. Click Configure Connection... button to create an ODBC connection:

    Configuring ODBC data source in UiPath in Run Query activity
  4. Continue by clicking Connection Wizard:

    Using connection wizard to setup ODBC source in UiPath Studio
  5. When the window opens, select ODBC-based driver, provider, and then choose ODBC data source:

    GatewayDSN
    GatewayDSN
    Choosing ODBC DSN in UiPath Studio connection wizard
    You can also select Use connection string option and use whole ODBC connection string instead. Obtain the connection string by pressing Copy Settings button in your data source configuration.
  6. Read the data the same way we discussed at the beginning of this article.

  7. That's it!

Now you can connect to JDBC-ODBC Bridge data in UiPath via the Data Gateway.

If you are asked for authentication details, use Database authentication or SQL Authentication option and enter credentials you used when configuring Data Gateway, e.g. john and your password.

Troubleshooters & resources (JDBC Bridge Driver)

Below are some useful community articles to help you troubleshoot and configure the ZappySys JDBC Bridge Driver:

Conclusion

In this article we showed you how to connect to JDBC-ODBC Bridge in UiPath and integrate data without any coding, saving you time and effort. ZappySys JDBC Bridge Driver allows you to connect to any Java application that supports JDBC.

We encourage you to download JDBC-ODBC Bridge Connector for UiPath and see how easy it is to use it for yourself or your team.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact ZappySys support team. You can also open a live chat immediately by clicking on the chat icon below.

Download JDBC-ODBC Bridge Connector for UiPath Documentation

More integrations

Other connectors for UiPath

All
Big Data & NoSQL
Database
CRM & ERP
Marketing
Collaboration
Cloud Storage
Reporting
Commerce
API & Files

Other application integration scenarios for JDBC-ODBC Bridge

All
Data Integration
Database
BI & Reporting
Productivity
Programming Languages
Automation & Scripting
ODBC applications