Power BI FTP/SFTP XML File Connector In this article you will learn how to integrate FTP/SFTP XML File data to Power BI without coding in just a few clicks (live / bi-directional connection to FTP/SFTP XML File). FTP/SFTP XML File Connector can be used to read XML Files stored on FTP Sites (Classic FTP, SFTP or FTPS). Using this you can easily read FTP/SFTP XML File data. It's supports latest security standards, and optimized for large data files. It also supports reading compressed files (e.g. GZip /Zip).. Using FTP/SFTP XML File 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 FTP/SFTP XML File in SSIS Connect FTP/SFTP XML File in SQL Server Connect FTP/SFTP XML File in SSRS Connect FTP/SFTP XML File in Informatica Connect FTP/SFTP XML File in MS Access Connect FTP/SFTP XML File in MS Excel Connect FTP/SFTP XML File in SSAS Connect FTP/SFTP XML File in C# Connect FTP/SFTP XML File in Python Connect FTP/SFTP XML File in JAVA Connect FTP/SFTP XML File in Tableau Connect FTP/SFTP XML File in SAP Crystal Reports Connect FTP/SFTP XML File in Azure Data Factory (ADF) Connect FTP/SFTP XML File in ODBC

Create ODBC Data Source (DSN) based on ZappySys SFTP XML Driver

To get data from FtP/SftpxmlFileConnector using Power BI we first need to create a DSN (Data Source) which will access data from FtP/SftpxmlFileConnector. 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 SFTP XML Driver

   ZappySys SFTP XML 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. Create and configure a connection for the FTP/SFTP storage account.

   

5. You can use select your desired single file by clicking [...] path button.

   mybucket/dbo.tblNames.xml

   dbo.tblNames.xml

   
   
   
   ----------OR----------

   You can also read the multiple files stored in FTP/SFTP Storage using wildcard pattern supported e.g. dbo.tblNames*.xml.
   

   Note: If you want to operation with multiple files then use wild card pattern as below 
   (when you use wild card pattern in source path then system will treat target path as folder regardless you end with slash)
   
   mybucket/dbo.tblNames.xml (will read only single .XML file)
   mybucket/dbo.tbl*.xml (all files starting with file name)
   mybucket/*.xml (all files with .xml Extension and located under folder subfolder)
   

   mybucket/dbo.tblNames*.xml

   
   
   
   ----------OR----------

   You can also read the zip and gzip compressed files also without extracting it in using FTP/SFTP XML Source File Task.

   mybucket/dbo.tblNames*.gz

   

6. Now select/enter Path expression in Path textbox to extract only specific part of XML string as below ($.value[*] will get content of value attribute from XML document. Value attribute is array of XML documents so we have to use [*] to indicate we want all records of that array)
   

   NOTE: Here, We are using our desired filter, but you need to select your desired filter based on your requirement.
   Go to Preview Tab.
   

7. Navigate to the Preview Tab and let's explore the different modes available to access the data.
   

   1. --- Using Direct Query ---

      Click on Preview Tab, Select Table from Tables Dropdown and select [value] and click Preview.
      

   2. --- Using Stored Procedure ---

      Note : For this you have to Save ODBC Driver configuration and then again reopen to configure same driver. For more information click here.
      Click on the Custom Objects Tab, Click on Add button and select Add Procedure and Enter an appropriate name and Click on OK button to create.
      

      1. --- Without Parameters ---

         Now Stored Procedure can be created with or without parameters (see example below). If you use parameters then Set default value otherwise it may fail to compilation)
         
         

      2. --- With Parameters ---

         Note : Here you can use Placeholder with Paramters in Stored Procedure. Example : SELECT * FROM $ WHERE OrderID = '<@OrderID, FUN_TRIM>' or CustId = '<@CustId>' and Total >= '<@Total>'
         

   3. --- Using Virtual Table ---

      Note : For this you have to Save ODBC Driver configuration and then again reopen to configure same driver. For more information click here.

      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 Buckets with slight variations you can create virtual tables with just URL as Parameter setting).

      vt__Customers
      DataPath=mybucket_1/customers.xml
      
      vt__Orders
      DataPath=mybucket_2/orders.xml
      
      vt__Products
      DataPath=mybucket_3/products.xml
      

      1. Click on the Custom Objects Tab, Click on Add button and select Add Table and Enter an appropriate name and Click on OK button to create.
         
      2. Once you see Query Builder Window on screen Configure it.
         
      3. Click on Preview Tab, Select Virtual Table(prefix with vt__) from Tables Dropdown or write SQL query with Virtual Table name and click Preview.
         

8. Click OK to finish creating the data source

9. That's it; we are done. In a few clicks we configured the to Read the FTP/SFTP XML File data using ZappySys FTP/SFTP XML File Connector

Read FTP/SFTP XML File Connector 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 FtP/SftpxmlFileConnectorDSN and continue:

   FtP/SftpxmlFileConnectorDSN

   

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:

   FtP/SftpxmlFileConnectorDSN

   

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 FTP/SFTP XML File Connector API in Power BI reports:
   

Import FTP/SFTP XML File Connector data into Power BI from SQL Query

If you wish to import FTP/SFTP XML File Connector 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 FTP/SFTP XML File Connector 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 SFTP XML 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 SFTP XML 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 FTP/SFTP XML File Connector for Power BI Documentation 

Other App Integration scenarios for FTP/SFTP XML File

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 FTP/SFTP XML File Connector for Power BI Documentation 

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