Introduction

JSON / REST API is becoming more and more popular each day as everyone embrace cloud-centric services. This article is primarily focused on Informatica users who want to access SharePoint Online data or may be other API Integration in Informatica. However many tips and techniques described in this article will help you to understand how to integrate XML SOAP / JSON / REST API in other ETL / Reporting apps such as Tableau, Power BI, SSRS, Talend, Excel and many more.

After going through this article you will learn how to Read SharePoint Online / JSON / REST API data in Informatica and understand the concept of JSON / REST API. We will go through many screenshots and step-by-step examples to demonstrate  JSON File or REST API integration in Informatica PowerCenter.

XML / JSON can come from a local file or REST API service (internal or public) so we will include both examples in this article (i.e. Read JSON files in Informatica,  Import REST API in Informatica). So let’s get started. Next article will focus on how to write data to API in Informatica (POST / PUT data)

Requirements

This article assumes that you have full filled following basic requirements.

1. Download Install ZappySys ODBC PowerPack (API Driver for SharePoint Online included)
2. Install Informatica PowerCenter Client Tools (e.g. Workflow and Mapping Designers)
3. Access to a Relational database such as SQL Server (or use any of your choice e.g. Oracle, MySQL, DB2 ). If nothing available then you can use flat file target.

High level Steps for Import SharePoint Online data using Informatica (Read SharePoint Online API data)

Before we dive deep to learn how to load SharePoint Online data in Informatica (i.e. SharePoint Online to SQL Table), Here the summary of high-level steps you need to perform to import JSON Files or REST API in Informatica.

1. Download and Install ZappySys API Driver (for connecting to SharePoint Online)
2. Create ODBC DSN using ZappySys API driver and choose SharePoint Online Connector during Wizard
3. Create Relational > ODBC Connection in Informatica Workflow designer (Point to DSN we created in the previous step)
4. Import JSON Source Definition in the Informatica Mapping Designer > Sources Tab
5. Import Target Table Definition in the Informatica Mapping Designer > Targets Tab
6. Create source to target mapping in Mappings tab
7. Save mapping (name m_API_to_SQL_Load )
8. Create Session using the mapping we created in the previous step
9. Save Workflow and execute to load SharePoint Online data into SQL Table. Verify your data and log.
   

   Loading SharePoint Online data to SQL Table in Informatica (Import REST API or JSON Files)

Video Tutorial – Read any API / JSON data in Informatica (Load SharePoint Online to SQL Table)

Getting Started – Import SharePoint Online to SQL Server in Informatica

Now let’s get started. For example purpose, we will read data from SharePoint Online and load data into SQL Server Table using Informatica Workflow.

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

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

4. When the Configuration window appears give your data source a name if you haven't done that already, then select "SharePoint Online" from the list of Popular Connectors. If "SharePoint Online" 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:

   SharePointOnlineDSN

   SharePoint Online

   

5. 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 Credentials [OAuth]

   OAuth App must be created in Microsoft Azure AD. These settings typically found here https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/auth-register-app-v2. [Read more..]

   Steps to get SharePoint Online Credentials
   

   Firstly, login into Azure Portal and there create an OAuth application:

   1. Go to Azure Portal and login there.
   2. Then go to Azure Active Directory.
   3. On the left side click menu item App registrations
   4. Then proceed with clicking New registration.
   5. Enter a name for your application.
   6. Select Accounts in this organizational directory only as supported account type to access data in your company.
   7. In Redirect URI section leave option selected at Web.
   8. In nearby textbox enter https://login.microsoftonline.com/common/oauth2/nativeclient as Redirect URI or any other valid redirect URL, e.g. https://zappysys.com/oauth
   9. Use this Redirect URI in Redirect URL grid row.
   10. Copy Application (client) ID and paste it into API Connection Manager configuration grid in Client ID row.
   11. Then click on Endpoints link and copy first URL to Authorization URL and second one to Token URL in configuration grid. Usually they look similar to these:
       • https://login.microsoftonline.com/daed1250-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-ef0a982d3d1e/oauth2/v2.0/authorize
       • https://login.microsoftonline.com/daed1250-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-ef0a982d3d1e/oauth2/v2.0/token
       • https://login.microsoftonline.com/common/oauth2/v2.0/authorize
       • https://login.microsoftonline.com/common/oauth2/v2.0/token
   12. Close "Endpoints" and create a Client Secret by clicking Certificates & secrets.
   13. Proceed by clicking New client secret and setting expiration period. Copy the client secret and paste it into configuration grid in Client Secret row.
   14. Use these scopes in Scopes field: offline_access Files.Read Files.Read.All Files.ReadWrite Files.ReadWrite.All openid profile Sites.Read.All Sites.ReadWrite.All User.Read email
   15. Click Generate Token to generate tokens.
   16. That's it!

   For more information you can read this link https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/auth-register-app-v2 Also https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/auth-register-app-v2

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

   SharePointOnlineDSN

   SharePoint Online

   User Credentials [OAuth]

   https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0

   Required Parameters
   Authorization URL	Fill in the parameter...
   Token URL	Fill in the parameter...
   Client ID	Fill in the parameter...
   Scope	Fill in the parameter...
   SiteId (select after pressing 'Generate Token')	Fill in the parameter...
   Optional Parameters
   Client Secret	Fill in the parameter...
   ReturnUrl	Fill in the parameter...
   Login Prompt Option	Fill in the parameter...
   RetryMode	Fill in the parameter...
   RetryStatusCodeList	Fill in the parameter...
   RetryCountMax	Fill in the parameter...
   RetryMultiplyWaitTime	Fill in the parameter...

   

    Application Credentials [OAuth]

   OAuth App must be created in Microsoft Azure AD. These settings typically found here https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/graph/auth-v2-service [Read more..]

   Steps to get SharePoint Online Credentials
   

   Firstly, login into Azure Portal and there create an OAuth application:

   Step-1: Create OAuth App

   1. Go to Azure Portal and login there.
   2. Then go to Azure Active Directory.
   3. On the left side click menu item App registrations
   4. Then proceed with clicking New registration.
   5. Enter a name for your application.
   6. Select one of Accounts in this organizational directory only as supported account type to access data in your company.
   7. In Redirect URI section leave option selected at Web.
   8. Copy Application (client) ID and paste it into API Connection Manager configuration grid in Client ID row.
   9. Then click on Endpoints link and copy second, Token, URL to Token URL field in configuration grid. Usually they look similar to these:

      https://login.microsoftonline.com/daed1250-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-ef0a982d3d1e/oauth2/v2.0/token
      https://login.microsoftonline.com/common/oauth2/v2.0/token
      

   10. Close "Endpoints" and create a Client Secret by clicking Certificates & secrets.
   11. Proceed by clicking New client secret and setting expiration period. Copy the client secret and paste it into configuration grid in Client Secret row.
   12. Go to API Permissions section and add Microsoft Graph permissions for SharePoint and Drive, e.g. Sites.Selected, Sites.Read.All, Sites.ReadWrite.All, Files.Read.All, Files.ReadWrite.All.
   13. Finally, Grant admin consent for your domain for your permissions.

   Step-2: Register OAuth App in SharePoint Admin Portal

   1. After we create OAuth App we need to add grant SharePoint access to that App using Admin Portal. Make sure you have admin permission to acces Portal. For detailed steps you may refer to this link. Here are basic steps you can follow.
   2. Log in to SharePoint Admin Portal and access below URL
      (Replace YOURCOMPANY)
      

      https://YOURCOMPANY-admin.sharepoint.com/_layouts/15/appprincipals.aspx?Scope=Web

   3. Enter App Id and other information
   4. Enter XML snippet which describes which permission you want to grant. Here is an example permission (App with FullControl / Read / Write)

      <AppPermissionRequests AllowAppOnlyPolicy="true">
        <AppPermissionRequest Scope="http://sharepoint/content/tenant" Right="FullControl" />
      </AppPermissionRequests>
        

   5. Click Add to grant the permission. That's it!

   NOTE: After adding App in SharePoint if you ever remove the permission then you can visit the following URL and delete the App.
   

   https://YOURCOMPANY-admin.sharepoint.com/_layouts/15/appprincipals.aspx?Scope=Web

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

   SharePointOnlineDSN

   SharePoint Online

   Application Credentials [OAuth]

   https://graph.microsoft.com/v1.0

   Required Parameters
   Token URL	Fill in the parameter...
   Client ID	Fill in the parameter...
   Client Secret	Fill in the parameter...
   SiteId	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...

   

6. 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:
   

7. Click OK to finish creating the data source.

Create Connection in Informatica Workflow Designer

Once you create DSN using API Driver our next step is to define a connection for SharePoint Online source in Informatica PowerCenter Workflow designer.

1. Open Workflow designer [W] icon
2. Goto Connections > Relational
   

   Create a new connection for SharePoint Online in Informatica

3. Click New and select ODBC
   

   Select ODBC connection type in Informatica (Using ZappySys API ODBC DSN)

4. Now on the ODBC connection setup enter connection name, some fake userid / password (this is a required field but its ignored by JSON Driver)
5. In the Connection String field enter the exact same name of DSN (Open ODBC Data Sources UI to confirm)
   

   Configure SharePoint Online connection in Informatica for REST API – Using ZappySys API Driver

6. Click OK to close the connection properties.

That’s it. Now we ready to move to next step (define source and target in Mapping Designer).

Import SharePoint Online Source Definition in Informatica Mapping Designer

Now let’s look at steps to import SharePoint Online table definition.

1. Open Informatica Mapping Designer (Click [D] icon)
2. Click on Source Icon to switch to Sources designer
3. From the top menu > Click on Sources > Import from Database …
   

   Import SharePoint Online Source definition in Informatica Mapping Designer (JSON file or REST API)

4. Select ODBC data source from the dropdown (Find out DSN we created earlier to use as JSON Source)
5. Click Connect button to get a list of tables. Any array node is listed as a table. Also, you will see array node with parent columns (e.g. value_with_parent). You may get some warning like below but they are harmless so just ignore by clicking OK.
   
   DLL name entry missing from C:\Informatica\PowerCenter8.6.1\client\bin\powrmart.ini Section = ODBCDLL Entry = ZappySys JSON Driver
   —————————————————-
   Using EXTODBC.DLL to support ZappySys JSON Driver. For native support of ZappySys JSON Driver make an entry in the .ini file.
   

   Select SharePoint Online Source Table in Informatica Mapping Designer (JSON file or REST API)

6. Select Table you wish to get (You can filter rows by custom SQL query. We will see later in this article how to do)
7. Optionally once table structure is imported you can rename it
   

   Rename imported table definition in Informatica Source Designer

8. That’s it, we are now ready to perform similar steps to import Target table structure in the next section.

Import SQL Server Target Definition in Informatica Mapping Designer

Now let’s look at steps to import Target table definition (very similar to the previous section, the only difference is this time we will select DSN which points to SQL Server or any other Target Server).