XML File Connector for PowerShell
In this article you will learn how to integrate Using XML File Connector you will be able to connect, read, and write data from within PowerShell. Follow the steps below to see how we would accomplish that. The driver mentioned above 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. |
Connect to XML File in other apps
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Create ODBC Data Source (DSN) based on ZappySys XML Driver
Step-by-step instructions
To get data from XML File using PowerShell we first need to create a DSN (Data Source) which will access data from XML File. We will later be able to read data using PowerShell. Perform these steps:
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Install ZappySys ODBC PowerPack.
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Open ODBC Data Sources (x64):
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Create a User Data Source (User DSN) based on ZappySys XML Driver
ZappySys 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. -
You can use pass single file or multiple file path using wildcard pattern in path and you can use select single file by clicking [...] path button or multiple file using wildcard pattern in path.
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) C:\SSIS\Test\reponse.xml (will read only single reponse.xml file) C:\SSIS\Test\j*.xml (all files starting with file name j) C:\SSIS\Test\*.xml (all files with .xml Extension and located under folder subfolder)
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Now enter Path expression in Array Filter textbox to extract only specific part of XML file as below ($.feed.entry[*] will get content of entry attribute from XML document. Entry attribute is array of XML documents so we have to use [*] to indicate we want all records of that array)
NOTE: Here, We are using our desired filter, but you need to select your desired filter based on your requirement.
Click on Test Connection button to view whether the Test Connection is SUCCESSFUL or Not.$.feed.entry[*]
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Once you configured a data source, you can preview data. Hit Preview tab, and use similar settings to preview data:
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Click OK to finish creating the data source.
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That's it; we are done. In a few clicks we configured the call to XML File using ZappySys XML File Connector.
Video instructions
Read XML File data in PowerShell
Sometimes, you need to quickly access and work with your XML File data in PowerShell. Whether you need a quick data overview or the complete dataset, this article will guide you through the process. Here are some common scenarios:
Viewing data in a terminal- Quickly peek at XML File data
- Monitor data constantly in your console
- Export data to a CSV file so that it can be sliced and diced in Excel
- Export data to a JSON file so that it can ingested by other processes
- Export data to an HTML file for user-friendly view and easy sharing
- Create a schedule to make it an automatic process
- Store data internally for analysis or for further ETL processes
- Create a schedule to make it an automatic process
- Integrate data with other systems via external APIs
In this article, we will delve deeper into how to quickly view the data in PowerShell terminal and how to save it to a file. But let's stop talking and get started!
Reading individual fields
- Open your favorite PowerShell IDE (we are using Visual Studio Code).
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Then simply follow these instructions:
"DSN=XmlFileDSN"
For your convenience, here is the whole PowerShell script:
# Configure connection string and query $connectionString = "DSN=XmlFileDSN" $query = "SELECT * FROM Customers" # Instantiate OdbcDataAdapter and DataTable $adapter = New-Object System.Data.Odbc.OdbcDataAdapter($query, $connectionString) $table = New-Object System.Data.DataTable # Fill the table with data $adapter.Fill($table) # Since we know we will be reading just 4 columns, let's define format for those 4 columns, each separated by a tab $format = "{0}`t{1}`t{2}`t{3}" # Display data in the console foreach ($row in $table.Rows) { # Construct line based on the format and individual XML File fields $line = $format -f ($row["CustomerId"], $row["CompanyName"], $row["Country"], $row["Phone"]) Write-Host $line }Access specific XML File table field using this code snippet:
You will find more info on how to manipulate$field = $row["ColumnName"]DataTable.Rowsproperty in Microsoft .NET reference.For demonstration purposes we are using sample tables which may not be available in XML File. -
To read values in a console, save the script to a file and then execute this command inside PowerShell terminal:
You can also use even a simpler command inside the terminal, e.g.:. 'C:\Users\john\Documents\dsn.ps1'
Retrieving all fields
However, there might be case, when you want to retrieve all columns of a query. Here is how you do it:
Again, for your convenience, here is the whole PowerShell script:
# Configure connection string and query
$connectionString = "DSN=XmlFileDSN"
$query = "SELECT CustomerId, CompanyName, Country, Phone FROM Customers"
# Instantiate OdbcDataAdapter and DataTable
$adapter = New-Object System.Data.Odbc.OdbcDataAdapter($query, $connectionString)
$table = New-Object System.Data.DataTable
# Fill the table with data
$adapter.Fill($table)
# Display data in the console
foreach ($row in $table.Rows) {
$line = ""
foreach ($column in $table.Columns) {
$value = $row[$column.ColumnName]
# Let's handle NULL values
if ($value -is [DBNull])
{
$value = "(NULL)"
}
$line += $value + "`t"
}
Write-Host $line
}
LIMIT keyword in the query, e.g.:
SELECT * FROM Customers LIMIT 10Using a full ODBC connection string
In the previous steps we used a very short format of ODBC connection string - a DSN. Yet sometimes you don't want a dependency on an ODBC data source (and an extra step). In those times, you can define a full connection string and skip creating an ODBC data source entirely. Let's see below how to accomplish that in the below steps:
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Open ODBC data source configuration and click Copy settings:
ZappySys XML Driver - XML FileXML File Connector can be used to extract and output XML data stored in local XML files or direct XML String (variables or DB columns). XML Connector also supports Path expression to extract data from any level. This Connector is optimized to work with very large files.XmlFileDSN
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The window opens, telling us the connection string was successfully copied to the clipboard:
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Then just paste the connection string into your script:
- You are good to go! The script will execute the same way as using a DSN.
Have in mind that using a full connection string has length limitations.
Proceed to the next step to find out the details.
Write XML File data to a file in PowerShell
Save data to a CSV file
Export data to a CSV file so that it can be sliced and diced in Excel:
# Configure connection string and query
$connectionString = "DSN=XmlFileDSN"
$query = "SELECT * FROM Customers"
# Instantiate OdbcDataAdapter and DataTable
$adapter = New-Object System.Data.Odbc.OdbcDataAdapter($query, $connectionString)
$table = New-Object System.Data.DataTable
# Fill the table with data
$adapter.Fill($table)
# Export table data to a file
$table | ConvertTo-Csv -NoTypeInformation -Delimiter "`t" | Out-File "C:\Users\john\saved-data.csv" -ForceSave data to a JSON file
Export data to a JSON file so that it can ingested by other processes (use the above script, but change this part):
# Export table data to a file
$table | ConvertTo-Json | Out-File "C:\Users\john\saved-data.json" -ForceSave data to an HTML file
Export data to an HTML file for user-friendly view and easy sharing (use the above script, but change this part):
# Export table data to a file
$table | ConvertTo-Html | Out-File "C:\Users\john\saved-data.html" -ForceConvertTo-Csv, ConvertTo-Json, and ConvertTo-Html for other data manipulation scenarios.
Advanced topics
Create Custom Stored 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 Stored Procedure in ZappySys Driver. You can insert Placeholders anywhere inside Procedure Body. Read more about placeholders here
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Go to Custom Objects Tab and Click on Add button and Select Add Procedure:
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Enter the desired Procedure name and click on OK:
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Select the created Stored Procedure and write the your desired stored procedure and Save it and it will create the custom stored 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>';
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That's it now go to Preview Tab and Execute your Stored 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';
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Let's generate the SQL Server Query Code to make the API call using stored 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''')
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Now go to SQL served and execute that query and it will make the API call using stored 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.
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Go to Custom Objects Tab and Click on Add button and Select Add Table:
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Enter the desired Table name and click on OK:
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And it will open the New Query Window Click on Cancel to close that window and go to Custom Objects Tab.
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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'
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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"
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Let's generate the SQL Server Query Code to make the API call using stored 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''')
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Now go to SQL served and execute that query and it will make the API call using stored procedure and provide you the response.
Conclusion
In this article we discussed how to connect to XML File in PowerShell and integrate data without any coding. Click here to Download XML File Connector for PowerShell and try yourself see how easy it is. If you still have any question(s) then ask here or simply click on live chat icon below and ask our expert (see bottom-right corner of this page).
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