Use the CData ODBC Driver for ConstantContact in Microsoft Power Query

The CData ODBC Driver for ConstantContact enables you to link to ConstantContact data in Microsoft Power Query, ensuring that you see any updates. This article details how to use the ODBC driver to import ConstantContact data into Microsoft Power Query.

Connect to ConstantContact as an ODBC Data Source

If you have not already, first specify connection properties in an ODBC DSN (data source name). This is the last step of the driver installation. You can use the Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator to create and configure ODBC DSNs.

Start by setting the Profile connection property to the location of the ConstantContact Profile on disk (e.g. C:\profiles\ConstantContact.apip). Next, set the ProfileSettings connection property to the connection string for Profile (see below).

ConstantContact API Profile Settings

ConstantContact uses OAuth-based authentication.

First, register an OAuth application with ConstantContact. You can do so from the ConstantContact API Guide (https://v3.developer.constantcontact.com/api_guide/index.html), under "MyApplications" > "New Application". Your Oauth application will be assigned a client id (API Key) and you can generate a client secret (Secret).

After setting the following connection properties, you are ready to connect:

• AuthScheme: Set this to OAuth.
• InitiateOAuth: Set this to GETANDREFRESH. You can use InitiateOAuth to manage the process to obtain the OAuthAccessToken.
• OAuthClientId: Set this to the client_id that is specified in you app settings.
• OAuthClientSecret: Set this to the client_secret that is specified in you app settings.
• CallbackURL: Set this to the Redirect URI you specified in your app settings.

Import ConstantContact Data

Follow the steps below to import ConstantContact data using standard SQL:

1. From the ribbon in Excel, click Power Query -> From Other Data Sources -> From ODBC.

2. Enter the ODBC connection string. Below is a connection string using the default DSN created when you install the driver:

   Provider=MSDASQL.1;Persist Security Info=False;DSN=CData API Source

3. Enter the SELECT statement to import data with. For example:

    SELECT Id, EmailAddress FROM Contacts WHERE CompanyName = 'Acme, Inc.'
    

   👁 The ODBC connection string and SELECT query. (Salesforce is shown.)
   

4. Enter credentials, if required, and click Connect. The results of the query are displayed in the Query Editor Preview. You can combine queries from other data sources or refine the data with Power Query formulas. To load the query to the worksheet, click the Close and Load button.

   👁 Tables loaded in Power Query. (Salesforce is shown.)