How to integrate YouTube with SSAS

Integrate SSAS and YouTube
Integrate SSAS and YouTube

Learn how to quickly and efficiently connect YouTube with SSAS for smooth data access.

Read and write YouTube data effortlessly. Integrate, manage, and automate videos, playlists, channels, and analytics — almost no coding required. You can do it all using the high-performance YouTube ODBC Driver for SSAS (often referred to as the YouTube 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.

Create data source in ZappySys Data Gateway

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

  1. Download and install ODBC PowerPack (if you haven't already).

  2. Search for gateway in the Windows Start Menu and open ZappySys Data Gateway Configuration:

    Open ZappySys Data Gateway Service Manager

  3. 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
    Data Gateway - Add User

  4. 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
    YoutubeDSN
    ZappySys API Driver
    Data Gateway - Add data source

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

    YoutubeDSN
    YouTube
    ODBC DSN Template Selection

  6. 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.

    API Key

    YouTube authentication
    This walkthrough will help you create an API Key which you will be able to use in all requests and authenticate accordingly.

    1. Go to Google API Console
    2. From the Project Dropdown (usually found at the top bar) click Select Project
    3. On Project Popup click CREATE PROJECT
    4. Once project is created you can click Select Project to switch the context (You can click on Notification link or Choose from Top Dropdown)
    5. Click ENABLE APIs AND SERVICES
    6. Now we need to Enable three APIs one by one (YouTube Data API, YouTube Analytics API, YouTube Reporting API).
    7. Search YouTube Data API. Select and click ENABLE
    8. Search YouTube Analytics API. Select and click ENABLE
    9. Search YouTube Reporting API. Select and click ENABLE
    10. Go to back to main screen of Google API Console
    11. Click OAuth Consent Screen Tab. Enter necessary details and Save.
    12. Click Credentials Tab
    13. Click CREATE CREDENTIALS (some where in topbar) and select API key option.
    14. In the popup, copy API Key from the field "Your API key", close this window, and use it in the UI configuration, "key" field
    API Connection Manager configuration

    Just perform these simple steps to finish authentication configuration:

    1. Set Authentication Type to API Key [Http]
    2. Optional step. Modify API Base URL if needed (in most cases default will work).
    3. Fill in all the required parameters and set optional parameters if needed.
    4. Finally, hit OK button:
    YoutubeDSN
    YouTube
    API Key [Http]
    https://youtube.googleapis.com/youtube/v3
    Required Parameters
    key Fill-in the parameter...
    Optional Parameters
    RetryMode RetryWhenStatusCodeMatch
    RetryStatusCodeList 403|429
    RetryCountMax 5
    RetryMultiplyWaitTime True
    ODBC DSN HTTP Connection Configuration

    User Account

    YouTube authentication
    To register a custom app, perform the following steps (detailed steps found in the help link at the end)
    1. Go to Google API Console
    2. From the Project Dropdown (usually found at the top bar) click Select Project
    3. On Project Popup click CREATE PROJECT
    4. Once project is created you can click Select Project to switch the context (You can click on Notification link or Choose from Top Dropdown)
    5. Click ENABLE APIs AND SERVICES
    6. Now we need to Enable three APIs one by one (YouTube Data API, YouTube Analytics API, YouTube Reporting API).
    7. Search YouTube Data API. Select and click ENABLE
    8. Search YouTube Analytics API. Select and click ENABLE
    9. Search YouTube Reporting API. Select and click ENABLE
    10. Go to back to main screen of Google API Console
    11. Click OAuth Consent Screen Tab. Enter necessary details and Save.
    12. Click Credentials Tab
    13. Click CREATE CREDENTIALS (some where in topbar) and select OAuth Client ID option.
    14. When prompted Select Application Type as Desktop App and click Create to receive your ClientID and Secret. Later on you can use this information now to configure Connection.
    15. Go to OAuth Consent Screen tab. Under Publishing Status click PUBLISH APP to ensure your refresh token doesnt expire often. If you planning to use App for Private use then do not have to worry about Verification Status after Publish.
    API Connection Manager configuration

    Just perform these simple steps to finish authentication configuration:

    1. Set Authentication Type to User Account [OAuth]
    2. Optional step. Modify API Base URL if needed (in most cases default will work).
    3. Fill in all the required parameters and set optional parameters if needed.
    4. Press Generate Token button to generate the tokens.
    5. Finally, hit OK button:
    YoutubeDSN
    YouTube
    User Account [OAuth]
    https://youtube.googleapis.com/youtube/v3
    Required Parameters
    UseCustomApp Fill-in the parameter...
    Optional Parameters
    ClientId
    ClientSecret
    Scope https://www.googleapis.com/auth/youtube~https://www.googleapis.com/auth/youtube.readonly~https://www.googleapis.com/auth/youtubepartner~https://www.googleapis.com/auth/youtube.force-ssl~https://www.googleapis.com/auth/youtube.upload~https://www.googleapis.com/auth/youtubepartner-channel-audit~https://www.googleapis.com/auth/yt-analytics-monetary.readonly~https://www.googleapis.com/auth/yt-analytics.readonly
    RetryMode RetryWhenStatusCodeMatch
    RetryStatusCodeList 403|429
    RetryCountMax 5
    RetryMultiplyWaitTime True
    Redirect URL (Only for Web App)
    ODBC DSN OAuth Connection Configuration

    Service Account (Using *.json OR *.p12 key file)

    YouTube authentication
    Use these steps to authenticate as service account rather than Google / GSuite User. Learn more about service account here

    Basically to call Google API as Service account we need to perform following steps listed in 3 sections (Detailed steps found in the help link at the end)

    Create Project

    First thing is create a Project so we can call Google API. Skip this section if you already have Project (Go to next section)
    1. Go to Google API Console
    2. From the Project Dropdown (usually found at the top bar) click Select Project
    3. On Project Popup click CREATE PROJECT
    4. Once project is created you can click Select Project to switch the context (You can click on Notification link or Choose from Top Dropdown)
    5. Click ENABLE APIs AND SERVICES
    6. Now we need to Enable three APIs one by one (YouTube Data API, YouTube Analytics API, YouTube Reporting API)
    7. Search YouTube Data API. Select and click ENABLE
    8. Search YouTube Analytics API. Select and click ENABLE
    9. Search YouTube Reporting API. Select and click ENABLE

    Create Service Account

    Once Project is created and APIs are enabled we can now create a service account under that project. Service account has its ID which looks like some email ID (not to confuse with Google /Gmail email ID)
    1. Go to Create Service Account
    2. From the Project Dropdown (usually found at the top bar) click Select Project
    3. Enter Service account name and Service account description
    4. For Role, do not select anything for now and Click Continue and then click Done. Next we will create Key.

    Create Key

    Once service account is created we need to create key file (i.e. credentials).
    1. In the Cloud Console, click the email address for the service account that you created.
    2. Click Keys.
    3. Click Add key, then click Create new key.
    4. Click Create and select P12 format. A P12 key file is downloaded to your computer. We will use this file in our API connection.
    5. Click Close.
    6. Now you may use downloaded *.p12 key file as secret file and Service Account Email as Client ID (e.g. some-service-account-name@your-project-id.iam.gserviceaccount.com ).

    Add Permission

    Now last thing is give read/write permission to Service Account. Basically you can create or open Google Sheet and add the Service Account as an editor to it as below.
    1. Copy the email address of your service account we created in previous step (its usually like this some-service-account-name@your-project-id.iam.gserviceaccount.com).
    2. Create or select an existing Google Sheet.
    3. Navigate to Sheet for which you like to give read/write access to Service Account.
    4. Click on the Share button in the top right, and add the email address of the service account as an editor. Here is how to share file(s) with specific people. Juse share with Service Account (use Service Account Email found on previous section)
    API Connection Manager configuration

    Just perform these simple steps to finish authentication configuration:

    1. Set Authentication Type to Service Account (Using *.json OR *.p12 key file) [OAuth]
    2. Optional step. Modify API Base URL if needed (in most cases default will work).
    3. Fill in all the required parameters and set optional parameters if needed.
    4. Finally, hit OK button:
    YoutubeDSN
    YouTube
    Service Account (Using *.json OR *.p12 key file) [OAuth]
    https://youtube.googleapis.com/youtube/v3
    Required Parameters
    Service Account Email Fill-in the parameter...
    Service Account Private Key Path (i.e. *.p12) Fill-in the parameter...
    Optional Parameters
    Scope https://www.googleapis.com/auth/youtube https://www.googleapis.com/auth/youtube.readonly https://www.googleapis.com/auth/youtubepartner https://www.googleapis.com/auth/youtube.force-ssl https://www.googleapis.com/auth/youtube.upload https://www.googleapis.com/auth/youtubepartner-channel-audit https://www.googleapis.com/auth/yt-analytics-monetary.readonly https://www.googleapis.com/auth/yt-analytics.readonly
    RetryMode RetryWhenStatusCodeMatch
    RetryStatusCodeList 403|429
    RetryCountMax 5
    RetryMultiplyWaitTime True
    ODBC DSN OAuth Connection Configuration

  7. 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 - YouTube
    Read and write YouTube data effortlessly. Integrate, manage, and automate videos, playlists, channels, and analytics — almost no coding required.
    YoutubeDSN
    Open Query Builder in API ODBC Driver to read and write data to REST API

  8. 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 SSAS to retrieve data from YouTube. Hit OK button to use this query in the next step. 

    SELECT * FROM MyVideos
    Configure table/endpoint parameters in ODBC data source based on API Driver
    Some parameters configured in this window will be passed to the YouTube 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.

  9. 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 SSAS:

    ZappySys API Driver - YouTube
    Read and write YouTube data effortlessly. Integrate, manage, and automate videos, playlists, channels, and analytics — almost no coding required.
    YoutubeDSN
    SELECT * FROM MyVideos
    API ODBC Driver-based data source data preview
    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 YouTube 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 YouTube servers).

  10. Click OK to finish creating the data source.

  11. Once done, go to the Network Settings tab and Add a firewall rule for inbound traffic:

    Data Gateway - Add firewall rule for inbound connections
    • This will initially allow all inbound traffic.
    • Click Edit IP filters to restrict access to specific IP addresses or ranges.

  12. 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:

    ZappySys Data Gateway - Save Changes
    Skipping this step may cause the new settings to fail, preventing you from connecting to the data source.

Read YouTube data in SSAS cube

With the data source created in the Data Gateway (previous step), we're now ready to read YouTube data in an SSAS cube. Before we dive in, open Visual Studio and create a new Analysis Services project. Then, you're all set!

In the example below, we use Multidimensional and Data Mining Analysis Services project, but it should work with Tabular project too.

Create data source based on ZappySys Data Gateway

Let's start by creating a data source for a cube, based on the Data Gateway's data source we created earlier. So, what are we waiting for? Let's do it!

  1. Create a new data source: Create new data source in SSAS to read API data
  2. Once a window opens, select Create a data source based on an existing or new connection option and click New...: Connect to ZappySys Data Gateway in SSAS to read API data
  3. Here things become a little complicated, but do not despair, it's only for a little while. Just perform these little steps:
    • Select Native OLE DB\SQL Server Native Client 11.0 as provider.
    • Enter your Server name (or IP address) and Port, separated by a comma.
    • Select SQL Server Authentication option for authentication.
    • Input User name which has admin permissions in the ZappySys Data Gateway.
    • In Database name field enter the same data source name you use in the ZappySys Data Gateway.
    • Hopefully, our hard work is done, when we Test Connection.
    YoutubeDSN
    YoutubeDSN
    Configure new data source in SSAS to read API data
    If SQL Server Native Client 11.0 is not listed as Native OLE DB provider, try using these:
    • Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server
    • Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server
  4. Indeed, life is easy again: Test connection to ZappySys Data Gateway in SSAS to read API data

Add data source view

We have data source in place, it's now time to add a data source view. Let's not waste a single second and get on to it!

  1. Start by right-clicking on Data Source Views and then choosing New Data Source View...:

    Create new data source view in SSAS to read API data

  2. Select the previously created data source and click Next:

    Connect to ZappySys Data Gateway in SSAS to read API data

  3. Ignore the Name Matching window and click Next.

  4. Add the tables you will use in your SSAS cube:

    Select tables to read API data in SSAS cube
    For cube dimensions, consider creating a Virtual Table in the Data Gateway's data source. Use the DISTINCT keyword in the SELECT statement to get unique values from the facts table, like this: 
    SELECT DISTINCT Country FROM Customers
    For demonstration purposes we are using sample tables which may not be available in YouTube.

  5. Review your data source view and click Finish:

    Successful data source view creation in SSAS

  6. Add the missing table relationships and you're done!

    Create additional table relationships in SSAS to read API data

Create cube

We have a data source view ready to be used by our cube. Let's create one!

  1. Start by right-clicking on Cubes and selecting New Cube... menu item: Create new SSAS cube to read API data
  2. Select tables you will use for the measures: Choose measure tables in SSAS to read API data
  3. And then select the measures themselves: Selecting measures for SSAS cube to read API data
  4. Don't stop and select the dimensions too: Choosing dimensions for SSAS cube to read API data
  5. Move along and click Finish before the final steps: Read API data in SSAS cube
  6. Review your cube before processing it: Read API data in SSAS cube
  7. It's time for the grand finale! Hit Process... to create the cube: Process SSAS cube to read API data
  8. A splendid success! SSAS cube processed to read API data

Execute MDX query

The cube is created and processed. It's time to reap what we sow! Just execute an MDX query and get YouTube data in your SSAS cube:

Execute MDX in SSAS cube to read API data

Supported YouTube Connector actions

Got a specific use case in mind? We've mapped out exactly how to perform a variety of essential YouTube operations directly in SSAS, 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 YouTube in SSAS and integrate data without writing complex code — all of this was powered by YouTube 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):

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