Build Data Flows from Gmail to SQL Server using SSIS

Using SQL Server as a backup for critical business data provides an essential safety net against loss. Backing up data to SQL Server enables business users to more easily connect that data with features like reporting, analytics, and more.

This example demonstrates how to use the CData SSIS Tasks for Gmail inside of a SQL Server SSIS workflow to transfer Gmail data into a Microsoft SQL Server database.

Add the Components

To get started, add a new Gmail source and SQL Server ADO.NET destination to a new data flow task.

Create a New Connection Manager

Follow the steps below to save Gmail connection properties in a connection manager.

1. In the Connection Manager window, right-click and then click New Connection. The Add SSIS Connection Manager dialog is displayed.
2. In the Connection Manager type menu, select Gmail. The CData Gmail Connection Manager is displayed.
3. Configure connection properties.

   There are two ways to authenticate to Gmail. Before selecting one, first ensure that you have enabled IMAP access in your Gmail account settings. See the "Connecting to Gmail" section under "Getting Started" in the installed documentation for a guide.

   The User and Password properties, under the Authentication section, can be set to valid Gmail user credentials.

   Alternatively, instead of providing the Password, you can use the OAuth authentication standard. To access Google APIs on behalf on individual users, you can use the embedded credentials or you can register your own OAuth app.

   OAuth also enables you to use a service account to connect on behalf of users in a Google Apps domain. To authenticate with a service account, register an application to obtain the OAuth JWT values.

   In addition to the OAuth values, provide the User. See the "Getting Started" chapter in the help documentation for a guide to using OAuth.

   👁 Configuring a connection (Salesforce is shown).
   

Configure the Gmail Source

Follow the steps below to specify the query to be used to extract Gmail data.

1. Double-click the Gmail source to open the source component editor.
2. In the Connection Manager menu, select the connection manager previously created.
3. Specify the query to use for the data extraction. For example:

   SELECT Subject, Size FROM Inbox
   

   👁 The SQL query to retrieve records. (Salesforce is shown.)
   
4. Close the Gmail Source control and connect it to the ADO.NET Destination.

Configure the SQL Server Destination

Follow the steps below to specify the SQL server table to load the Gmail data into.

1. Open the ADO.NET Destination and add a New Connection. Enter your server and database information here.
2. In the Data access mode menu, select "table or view".
3. In the Table Or View menu, select the table or view to populate.
4. Configure any properties you wish to on the Mappings screen. 👁 The mappings from the SSIS source component to SQL Server. (Salesforce is shown.)
   

Run the Project

You can now run the project. After the SSIS Task has finished executing, your database will be populated with Gmail data.