Salesforce Connector for MS Excel How to Make Generic API Request (Bulk Write)

Introduction

In this article we will delve deeper into Salesforce and MS Excel integration, and will learn how to make generic api request (bulk write). We are continuing from where we left off. By this time, you must have installed ODBC PowerPack, created ODBC Data Source, and configured authentication settings in your Salesforce account .

So, let's not waste time and begin.

Use Query Builder to generate SQL query

The first thing you have to do is open Query Builder:

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SalesforceDSN
Then simply select the Make Generic API Request (Bulk Write) endpoint (action).
Continue by configuring the Required parameters. You can also set optional parameters too.
Move on by hitting Preview Data button to preview the results.

If you see the results you need, simply copy the generated query:

Make Generic API Request (Bulk Write)

Optional Parameters
Url	/something/123
IsMultiPart
Filter
Headers	Accept: / \|\| Cache-Control: no-cache
Advanced Properties
Request Method	POST
Request Format (Content-Type)	Default
Body	{$rows$}
JsonOutputFormat	Multicontent
DoNotOutputNullProperty
Batch Size (Default=1)	1
Meta Detection Order	StaticDynamicVirtual
Input Columns - For Mapping (e.g. MyCol1:string(10); MyCol2:int32 ...) - Use bool, int32, int64, datetime, decimal, double
Output Columns (e.g. MyCol1:string(10); MyCol2:int32 ...) - Use bool, int32, int64, datetime, decimal, double
Request Format
Response Format	Default
Csv - Column Delimiter	,
Csv - Row Delimiter	{NEWLINE}
Csv - Quote Around Value	True
Csv - Always Quote regardless type
Encoding
CharacterSet
Writer DateTime Format
Csv - Has Header Row	True
Xml - ElementsToTreatAsArray
Layout Map	<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <!-- Example#1: Output all columns --> <settings> <dataset id="root" main="True" readfrominput="True" /> <map src="*" /> </settings> <!-- Example#2: Records under array <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <settings singledataset="True"> <dataset id="root" main="True" readfrominput="True" /> <map name="MyArray" dataset="root" maptype="DocArray"> <map src="OrderID" name="OrderID" /> <map src="OrderDate" name="OrderDate" /> </map> </settings> --> <!-- Example#3: Records under nested section <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> <settings> <dataset id="dsRoot" main="True" readfrominput="True" /> <map name="NestedSection"> <map src="OrderID" name="OrderID_MyLabel" /> <map src="OrderDate" name="OrderDate_MyLabel" /> </map> </settings> -->

SELECT * FROM __DynamicRequest__
WITH
(
    "Url" = '/something/123',
    "RequestMethod" = 'POST'
)

That's it! You can use this query in MS Excel.

Let's not stop here and explore SQL query examples, including how to use them in Stored Procedures and Views (virtual tables) in the next steps.

SQL query examples

Use these SQL queries in your MS Excel data source:

How to Make generic api request

SELECT * FROM __DynamicRequest__
WITH
(
    "Url" = '/something/123',
    "RequestMethod" = 'POST'
)

generic_request_bulk_write endpoint belongs to __DynamicRequest__ table(s), and can therefore be used via those table(s).

Make Generic API Request (Bulk Write) in MS Excel

In Excel click Data, then select Get Data, proceed with From Other Sources and choose From ODBC item. This will get data from ODBC data source we created:
A small window opens, then simply select the data source you created in previous steps:

SalesforceDSN
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:

SalesforceDSN
Finally, you will be asked to select a table or view to get data from. Select one and load the data!
Finally, finally, use data extracted from Salesforce API in an Excel worksheet:

Refresh data source in Excel

When data updates in Salesforce, it is not automatically refreshed in Excel. To update the worksheet, go to Data or Table Design tab and click the Refresh button: