How to integrate Shopify with Tableau

Learn how to quickly and efficiently connect Shopify with Tableau for smooth data access.

Read and write Shopify data effortlessly. Integrate, manage, and automate customers, orders, products, and inventory — almost no coding required. You can do it all using the high-performance Shopify ODBC Driver for Tableau (often referred to as the Shopify Connector). We'll walk you through the entire setup.

Ready to dive in? Download the product to jump right in, or follow the step-by-step guide below to see how it works.

Shopify ODBC Driver Powering this integration

High performance
Bidirectional
Low-code / No-code
Easy to use

Built on the ZappySys API Driver, the Shopify ODBC Driver is a high-performance, low-code / no-code solution. It enables you to connect to Shopify data without any coding right in your SQL Server, or any ODBC/JDBC application. Part of the ODBC PowerPack.

Documentation

Create data source in ZappySys Data Gateway

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

Download and install ODBC PowerPack (if you haven't already).
Search for gateway in the Windows Start Menu and open ZappySys Data Gateway Configuration:
Go to the Users tab and follow these steps to add a Data Gateway user:
- Click the Add button
- In the Login field enter a username, e.g., john
- Then enter a Password
- Check the Is Administrator checkbox
- Click OK to save
Now we are ready to add a data source:
- Click the Add button
- Give the Data source a name (have it handy for later)
- Then select Native - ZappySys API Driver
- Finally, click OK
ShopifyDSN

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

ShopifyDSN

Shopify

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.

Admin Access Token (Custom App)

Shopify authentication

Method: Admin API Access Token (Recommended for Single-Store Connections)

This method uses a permanent Admin API Access Token generated from a "Custom App" within your Shopify Admin. This is the simplest way to connect if you are only integrating with your own store.

Quick Setup Summary:

Log in to your Shopify Admin and click Settings (the gear icon in the bottom left).
Select Apps from the left-side settings menu.
Click the Develop apps button at the top right of the page.
Open your app (or create a new one) and configure the necessary Admin API access scopes.
Click Install app. Once installed, navigate to the API credentials tab.

Important: Your Admin API access token (shpat_xxx) is only revealed once. Please copy and store it securely immediately after clicking "Reveal token once."

Note: If you are using the Shopify Dev Dashboard (via a Partner Account), you must use the OAuth Authorization Code Grant method, as those apps do not issue permanent 'shpat' tokens.

Video Tutorial: How to Get Admin API Access Token in Shopify?

Part 1: Create and Configure the Shopify App

Visit https://accounts.shopify.com and log into your Shopify store account.
After logging in, select the store you wish to connect to.
Select Settings (gear icon in the lower-left corner) to launch the Settings screen.
On the left menu panel, select Apps. (Note: Sales channels are now managed in a separate menu item).
On the Apps page, select Develop apps (near the top right of the screen).
Note: If this is your first time accessing this section, you may need to click "Allow custom app development" to proceed.
On the App development screen, select Create an app.
Give the app a name (e.g., "ZappySys Connector"), select the appropriate developer from the drop-down, and select Create app.
Click Configure Admin API scopes.
In the Admin API access scopes screen, select the checkboxes based on which features you plan to use:
- For Customers: read_customers, write_customers
- For Orders: read_orders, write_orders
- For Products: read_products, write_products
- For Inventory: read_inventory, write_inventory
- For Locations: read_locations
- For Payouts/Analytics: read_all_orders or read_analytics
Important: If you select fewer scopes than required, some connector features will not work. To ensure full functionality, select both read and write permissions for the resources you need to access.
After selecting your scopes, click Save at the top or bottom of the page.
Install the app by clicking the Install app button (upper-right corner). If prompted, confirm by selecting Install.

Part 2: Get Admin API Access Token

Once the app is installed, you will be taken to the API credentials tab.
Look for the Admin API access token section. Select Reveal token once to show the token (it starts with shpat_).
IMPORTANT: Copy and save this token immediately in a secure location. You cannot view it again after leaving this page.

Note: You may also see an API Key or Secret Key in this section; these are not required for this specific authentication method. Use only the Admin API access token.

Part 3: Configure the ZappySys Connector

Open the ZappySys connector configuration screen.
Enter Subdomain: Enter the unique subdomain of your Shopify store into the Subdomain parameter textbox.
How to find your Subdomain:

If you use a custom domain (e.g., www.my-store.com), you must still use your internal Shopify subdomain:
- Method 1 (Admin URL): While logged into Shopify, check your browser address bar.
  - If the URL is admin.shopify.com/store/my-unique-slug, your subdomain is my-unique-slug.
  - If the URL is my-unique-slug.myshopify.com/admin, your subdomain is my-unique-slug.
- Method 2 (Domains Setting): Go to Settings > Domains. Look for the "Primary domain for the online store" or the fallback domain ending in .myshopify.com. The part before the dots is your subdomain.
Enter Access Token: Paste the shpat_xxx token you saved in Step 14 into the Admin API Access Token textbox.
Tip: Click the ellipses (...) button inside the textbox to open a larger dialog for easier pasting.
Click Test Connection to verify the settings.
If the test is successful, click OK to save the configuration.

API Connection Manager configuration

Just perform these simple steps to finish authentication configuration:

Set Authentication Type to Admin Access Token (Custom App) [Http]
Optional step. Modify API Base URL if needed (in most cases default will work).
Fill in all the required parameters and set optional parameters if needed.
Finally, hit OK button:

ShopifyDSN

Shopify

Admin Access Token (Custom App) [Http]

https://[$Subdomain$].myshopify.com/admin/api/2025-01

Required Parameters
Sub-domain	Fill-in the parameter...
Admin API Access Token	Fill-in the parameter...
Optional Parameters
RetryMode	RetryWhenStatusCodeMatch
RetryStatusCodeList	429
RetryCountMax	5
RetryMultiplyWaitTime	True

OAuth Authorization Code Grant (3-legged) - RECOMMENDED

Shopify authentication

Authenticate using OAuth 2.0 Authorization Code Flow (3-legged). Use this for apps built in the Dev Dashboard (https://dev.shopify.com). This is the primary OAuth flow supported for public apps and apps created in the Dev Dashboard.

Method: OAuth Authorization Code Grant (3-Legged)

This method is for apps built in the Shopify Dev Dashboard. Use this if you are a Partner or developer building a multi-store integration.

Note: If you are connecting to your own single store, the Admin Access Token method is significantly simpler. Use this OAuth method only if your integration specifically requires a Client ID and Secret.

Part 1: Create and Configure App in Dev Dashboard

Log in to the Shopify Dev Dashboard using your Partner account.
Click Apps in the left menu, then click Create app.
Select Start from Dev Dashboard (manual setup) and give your app a name.
Step 1: Configure Scopes and URLs via "Versions"
- Click the Versions tab at the top of the app screen.
- Click Create version (or edit the Draft).
- In the URLs section, enter https://zappysys.com/oauth into Allowed redirection URL(s).
- Select your Admin API scopes based on which features you plan to use:
  - For Customers: read_customers, write_customers
  - For Orders: read_orders, write_orders
  - For Products: read_products, write_products
  - For Inventory: read_inventory, write_inventory
  - For Locations: read_locations
  - For Payouts/Analytics: read_all_orders or read_analytics
  Important: If you select fewer scopes than required, some connector features will not work. To ensure full functionality, select both read and write permissions for the resources you need to access.
- Click Release (top right). Note: Settings only become active once a version is Released.
Step 2: Set Distribution Method
- Click Distribution in the left-side menu.
- Select Custom Distribution.
- Enter your Shopify store URL (e.g., your-store.myshopify.com) and click Generate link.
- Action Required: Copy the generated install link, open it in your browser, and follow the prompts to install/unlock the app for your store. You must complete this step before testing the connection in ZappySys.

Part 2: Get Client Credentials

Click on Settings in the left-side navigation of your app.
In the Client credentials section, copy the Client ID and Client Secret (click the eye icon to reveal).

Part 3: Configure the ZappySys Connector

Open the ZappySys connector and select OAuth Authorization Code Grant (3-legged).
Subdomain: Enter your store handle (the part before .myshopify.com).
Client ID / Secret: Paste the credentials from Steps 6 and 7.
Redirect URI: Enter https://zappysys.com/oauth.
Click Test Connection. You will be prompted to authorize the app in your browser.

Note on Tokens: Successful authorization generates an "Offline" Access Token (starting with shpca_). This token does not expire and does not require a refresh token.

Troubleshooting: If you see "App no longer available," ensure you have completed the Distribution step and followed the Install Link in Step 5 to unlock the app for your store.

API Connection Manager configuration

Just perform these simple steps to finish authentication configuration:

Set Authentication Type to OAuth Authorization Code Grant (3-legged) - RECOMMENDED [OAuth]
Optional step. Modify API Base URL if needed (in most cases default will work).
Fill in all the required parameters and set optional parameters if needed.
Press Generate Token button to generate the tokens.
Finally, hit OK button:

ShopifyDSN

Shopify

OAuth Authorization Code Grant (3-legged) - RECOMMENDED [OAuth]

https://[$Subdomain$].myshopify.com/admin/api/2025-01

Required Parameters
Redirect URI (*Must match App Settings*)	Fill-in the parameter...

Once the data source connection has been configured, it's time to configure the SQL query. Select the Preview tab and then click Query Builder button to configure the SQL query:

ZappySys API Driver - Shopify

Read and write Shopify data effortlessly. Integrate, manage, and automate customers, orders, products, and inventory — almost no coding required.

ShopifyDSN
Start by selecting the Table or Endpoint you are interested in and then configure the parameters. This will generate a query that we will use in Tableau to retrieve data from Shopify. Hit OK button to use this query in the next step.
```
SELECT * FROM Products
```
Some parameters configured in this window will be passed to the Shopify API, e.g. filtering parameters. It means that filtering will be done on the server side (instead of the client side), enabling you to get only the meaningful data much faster.
Now hit Preview Data button to preview the data using the generated SQL query. If you are satisfied with the result, use this query in Tableau:
ZappySys API Driver - Shopify

Read and write Shopify data effortlessly. Integrate, manage, and automate customers, orders, products, and inventory — almost no coding required.

ShopifyDSN
```
SELECT * FROM Products
```
You can also access data quickly from the tables dropdown by selecting <Select table>.

A WHERE clause, LIMIT keyword will be performed on the client side, meaning that the whole result set will be retrieved from the Shopify API first, and only then the filtering will be applied to the data. If possible, it is recommended to use parameters in Query Builder to filter the data on the server side (in Shopify servers).
Click OK to finish creating the data source.
Once done, go to the Network Settings tab and Add a firewall rule for inbound traffic:
- This will initially allow all inbound traffic.
- Click Edit IP filters to restrict access to specific IP addresses or ranges.
Crucial Step: After creating or modifying the data source, you must:
- Click the Save button to persist your changes.
- Hit Yes when prompted to restart the Data Gateway service.
This ensures all changes are properly applied:

Skipping this step may cause the new settings to fail, preventing you from connecting to the data source.

Read data in SQL Server via Data Gateway

After configuring your data source using the ZappySys ODBC Driver, the next mandatory step to read that data in SQL Server is to create a Linked Server. SQL Server requires a Linked Server definition to access any ODBC-based source through the ZappySys Data Gateway, allowing the source driver data to be queried using standard T-SQL.

There are two ways to create the Linked Server:

Method 1: Using a SQL Script automatically generated by the Data Gateway
Method 2: Using SQL Server UI (SSMS) to manually configure the Linked Server

Method 1: Using a SQL Script automatically generated by the Data Gateway

The fastest and most reliable way to create the Linked Server is to use the SQL Script generated by the Data Gateway. This ensures all settings are applied correctly with minimal manual steps.

In the Data Gateway, open the App Integration tab.
Update the prefilled Linked Server Name if you want to use a custom name.
Select the ShopifyDSN data source which we created earlier as the Database.
Choose the correct SQL Server version for your environment.
- SQL 2019 or Lower (@provider='SQLNCLI11')
- SQL 2022 or Higher (@provider='MSOLEDBSQL')
Click Generate Code.
In the generated script scroll down to 4. Attach Gateway login with linked server step, enter your Data Gateway admin username and password.

'LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY'
Press Ctrl + A and Ctrl + C to copy the entire script.

LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY

ShopifyDSN
Paste the script into SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and run it.
That's it linked server is created in the SQL Server.

Finally, open a new query and execute a query we saved in one of the previous steps:

SELECT * FROM OPENQUERY([LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY], 'SELECT * FROM Products')

Execute query at Linked Server to ZappySys Data Gateway in SSMS

SELECT * FROM OPENQUERY([LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY], 'SELECT * FROM Products')

Sample SQL Script for Creating a Linked Server in SQL Server

USE [master]
GO
--///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
--Run below code in SSMS to create Linked Server and use ZappySys Drivers in SQL Server
--///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

-- Replace YOUR_GATEWAY_USER, YOUR_GATEWAY_PASSWORD
-- Replace localhost with IP/Machine name if ZappySys Gateway Running on different machine other than SQL Server
-- Replace Port 5000 if you configured gateway on a different port


--1. Configure your gateway service as per this article https://zappysys.com/links?id=10036

--2. Make sure you have SQL Server Installed. You can download FREE SQL Server Express Edition from here if you dont want to buy Paid version https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/sql-server/sql-server-editions-express

--Uncomment below if you like to drop linked server if it already exists
--EXEC master.dbo.sp_dropserver @server=N'LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY', @droplogins='droplogins'

--3. Create new linked server

EXEC master.dbo.sp_addlinkedserver
    @server = N'LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY'  --Linked server name (this will be used in OPENQUERY sql
, @srvproduct=N''
---- For MSSQL 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2019 use below (SQL Server Native Client 11.0)---
, @provider=N'SQLNCLI11'
---- For MSSQL 2022 or higher use below (Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server)---
--, @provider=N'MSOLEDBSQL'
, @datasrc=N'localhost,5000' --//Machine / Port where Gateway service is running
, @provstr=N'Network Library=DBMSSOCN;'
, @catalog=N'ShopifyDSN' --Data source name you gave on Gateway service settings

--4. Attach gateway login with linked server

EXEC master.dbo.sp_addlinkedsrvlogin
@rmtsrvname=N'LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY'  --linked server name
, @useself=N'False'
, @locallogin=NULL
, @rmtuser=N'YOUR_GATEWAY_USER' --enter your Gateway user name
, @rmtpassword='YOUR_GATEWAY_PASSWORD'  --enter your Gateway user's password
GO

--5. Enable RPC OUT (This is Optional - Only needed if you plan to use EXEC(...) AT YourLinkedServerName rather than OPENQUERY
EXEC sp_serveroption 'LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY', 'rpc', true;
EXEC sp_serveroption 'LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY', 'rpc out', true;

--Disable MSDTC - Below needed to support INSERT INTO from EXEC AT statement
EXEC sp_serveroption 'LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY', 'remote proc transaction promotion', false;

--Increase query timeout if query is going to take longer than 10 mins (Default timeout is 600 seconds)
--EXEC sp_serveroption 'LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY', 'query timeout', 1200;
GO

Method 2: Using SQL Server UI (SSMS) to manually configure the Linked Server

You can also create the Linked Server manually through SSMS if you prefer a visual setup. This method lets you configure the provider, data source, and security interactively.

First, let's open SQL Server Management Studio, create a new Linked Server, and start configuring it:

LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY

Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server

localhost,5000

ShopifyDSN

ShopifyDSN
- For SQL Server 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2019, choose SQL Server Native Client 11.0 as the provider.
- For SQL Server 2022 or higher, choose Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server as the provider.
Then click on Security option and configure username we created in ZappySys Data Gateway in one of the previous steps, e.g. john:
Optional step. Under the Server Options, Enable RPC and RPC Out and Disable Promotion of Distributed Transactions(MSDTC).

You need to enable RPC Out if you plan to use EXEC(...) AT [LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY] rather than OPENQUERY.
If don't enabled it, you will encounter the Server 'LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY' is not configured for RPC error.

Query Example:
```
DECLARE @MyQuery NVARCHAR(MAX) = 'SELECT * FROM Products';

EXEC (@MyQuery) AT [LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY];
```
If you plan to use 'INSERT INTO <TABLE> EXEC(...) AT [LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY]' in that case you need to Disable Promotion of Distributed Transactions(MSDTC).
If don't disabled it, you will encounter the The operation could not be performed because OLE DB provider "SQLNCLI11" for linked server "MY_LINKED_SERVER_NAME" was unable to begin a distributed transaction. error.

Query Example:
```
INSERT INTO dbo.Products
DECLARE @MyQuery NVARCHAR(MAX) = 'SELECT * FROM Products';

EXEC (@MyQuery) AT [LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY];
```

Finally, open a new query and execute a query we saved in one of the previous steps:

SELECT * FROM OPENQUERY([LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY], 'SELECT * FROM Products')

SELECT * FROM OPENQUERY([LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY], 'SELECT * FROM Products')

Create View in SQL Server

Finally, use this or similar query in a view or stored procedure, which you will be able to use in Tableau. We will create a view to return invoices:

CREATE VIEW vwApiInvoices AS
 SELECT * FROM OPENQUERY([LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY], 'SELECT * FROM Invoices')

Read data in Tableau from SQL Server

Actually, we will be getting data from SQL Server which in turn will be getting data from ZappySys Data Gateway data source. Let's begin and see how to accomplish that:

Open Tableau Desktop and click File > New.
To create new Connection click More > Microsoft SQL Server > Enter your credentials to connect to SQL Server (in our example before we used john):
Once connection is created for SQL Server we can read Shopify data 3 different ways:
1. Query View which contains OPENQUERY to Linked Server for Shopify data
2. Use direct SQL Query using OPENQUERY
3. Use Stored Procedure (Mostly useful to parameterize calls
See below example to pull data from Shopify in Tableau using SQL View approach:
Once your data sources are created you can click on Sheet1 and drag fields to create visualizations for Tableau Dashboard:

Passing Parameters to Shopify calls in Tableau (Dynamic SQL)

Now let's look at scenario where you have to pass parameters to build Dynamic Dashboard. You can try to insert Parameters in your Direct SQL when you build Dynamic SQL but we found some issues with that so we are going to suggest Stored Procedure approach. For more information on Known issue on Dynamic Metadata Check this post.

First lets create a stored procedure in SQL Server for Parameter Example. Notice how we added WITH RESULT SETS in the code to describe metadata.

--DROP PROC dbo.usp_GetInvoicesByCountry
--GO
/*
Purpose: Parameterize Shopify call via SQL. Call ZappySys Drivers inside SQL Server.
*/
CREATE PROC dbo.usp_GetInvoicesByCountry
	@country varchar(100) 
AS 

DECLARE @sql varchar(max)
--//Escape single ticks carefully
SET @sql =  'SELECT OrderID,CustomerID,Country,Quantity FROM $
WITH (Src=''https://services.odata.org/V3/Northwind/Northwind.svc/Invoices?$format=json@filter=Country eq '+ @country +'''
	 ,Filter=''$.value[*]''
	 ,DataFormat=''OData''
)'

DECLARE @sqlFull varchar(max)
SET @sqlFull='SELECT * FROM OPENQUERY([LS_TO_SHOPIFY_IN_GATEWAY], ''' + REPLACE( @sql, '''', '''''' ) + ''' )'
PRINT @sqlFull --//For DEBUG purpose

EXECUTE (@sqlFull) 
WITH RESULT SETS ( 
 (OrderID int,CustomerID varchar(100),Country varchar(100),Quantity int) --//describe first result. If you don't do this then wont work in Tableau 
)
GO
-- Example call
EXEC dbo.usp_GetInvoicesByCountry @country='Germany'

Once you create a stored procedure go to Tableau datasource and select Database which contains the stored procedure we just created.
Now find your stored proc and drag it on the datasource pane. You will see parameters UI as below. You can create new parameter - Select New Parameter under Value Column.
Thats it now you can reuse your parameterized datasource anywhere in Dashboard.
If you have need to select Parameters from predefined values rather than free text then edit your parameter and select List option. Define values you like to select from as below.
When you create Tableau Dashboard you will see Parameter dropdown (If you selected List) elase you may see Textbox to enter custom value.

Firewall settings

So far we have assumed that Gateway is running on the same machine as SQL Server. However there will be a case when ZappySys ODBC PowerPack is installed on a different machine than SQL Server. In such case you may have to perform additional Firewall configurations. On most computers firewall settings wont allow outside traffic to ZappySys Data Gateway. In such case perform following steps to allow other machines to connect to Gateway.

Method-1 (Preferred)

If you are using newer version of ZappySys Data Gateway then adding firewall rule is just a single click.

Search for gateway in start menu and open ZappySys Data Gateway.
Go to Firewall Tab and click Add Firewall Rule button like below. This will create Firewall rule to all Inbound Traffic on Port 5000 (Unless you changed it).

Method-2

Here is another way to add / edit Inbound Traffic rule in windows firewall. Use below method if you choose to customize your rule (for advanced users).

Search for Windows Firewall Advanced Security in start menu.
Under Inbound Rules > Right click and click [New Rule] >> Click Next
Select Port on Rule Type >> Click Next
Click on TCP and enter port number under specified local port as 5000 (use different one if you changed Default port) >> Click Next
Select Profile (i.e. Private, Public) >> Click Next
Enter Rule name [i.e. ZappySys Data Gateway – Allow Inbound ] >> Click Next
Click OK to save the rule

SQL Server Firewall Allow Inbound Data Gateway

Supported Shopify Connector actions

Got a specific use case in mind? We've mapped out exactly how to perform a variety of essential Shopify operations directly in Tableau, so you don't have to figure out the setup from scratch. Check out the step-by-step guides below:

Conclusion

In this article we showed you how to connect to Shopify in Tableau and integrate data without writing complex code — all of this was powered by Shopify ODBC Driver.

Download ODBC PowerPack now or ping us via chat if you have any questions or are looking for a specific feature (you can also reach out to us by submitting a ticket):

Download Chat