 |
VOOZH | about |
|
VOOZH | about |
This guide explains everything you need to get started with the CData Tableau Connector for MySQL. You'll learn how to install and license the connector, configure your first connection, and explore next steps for working with MySQL data in your applications.
This setup guide applies to Tableau Desktop, Tableau Prep, and Tableau Server environments.
The CData Tableau Connector for MySQL enables Tableau Desktop, Tableau Prep, and Tableau Server to connect directly to live MySQL data. This section details installation prerequisites, platform support, connector deployment, and licensing requirements.
The connector is supported in environments where Tableau Desktop, Tableau Prep, or Tableau Server are available. The CData Tableau Connector for MySQL supports both Windows and macOS platforms.
For older versions of Tableau, use the CData ODBC Driver or JDBC Driver for MySQL instead.
Note: If you are using Tableau Prep or an earlier version of Tableau Desktop (before 2020.3), the setup will not detect your Tableau installation, and you will need to register the connector manually (see Manual Registration below).
If automatic registration did not occur, follow these steps:
Note: As of Tableau Prep 21.2 and above versions, standard .taco files are supported instead of legacy .taco files.
The CData Tableau Connector for MySQL uses file-based licensing rather than license key activation. The license file is included in the installation package.
If not, you should have received your license key via email from the CData Orders Team. The license key looks like this: XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
The automatic install process attempts to register both the driver JAR and the license file. The JAR file is copied to one of these locations:
Note: If you are running a trial, the trial license file is included with the installer. No additional activation steps are required.
java -jar cdata.tableau.mysql.jar -l
Note: If you cannot execute the java command, you will need to install a Java Runtime Environment (JRE).
Yes, depending on your subscription tier. Check your order confirmation or contact your account representative for details. If you are unsure of who your account representative is, contact [email protected].
Email [email protected] with your order number, and we'll resend your license key.
Yes. When transferring the license to a different machine, you will need to submit a License Transfer Request on our site linked below:
https://www.cdata.com/lic/transfer/
After the License Transfer Request is submitted and successfully processed, an activation will be added to your Product Key, and you will be able to activate the full license on the other machine. Once this process is finished, the license on the previous machine will be invalid.
For additional licensing questions, contact [email protected]. Viewing and upgrading your license can now be done through our self-service portal at portal.cdata.com.
After installing the connector, you can connect and create a Data Source for MySQL data.
Complete the following steps to connect to the data:
The connector makes the most common connection properties available directly in Tableau. However, if you need to use more advanced settings or troubleshoot connection issues, the connector includes a separate connection builder that allows you to create and test connections outside of Tableau.
There are two ways to access the connection builder:
In the connection builder, you can set values for connection properties and click Test Connection to validate that they work. You can also use the Copy to Clipboard button to save the connection string. This connection string can be given to the Connection String option included in the connector connection window in Tableau.
The CData Provider supports connecting to on-premises and cloud-hosted versions of MySQL such as Amazon RDS for MySQL, Google Cloud SQL for MySQL, Azure Database for MySQL, or Oracle MySQL HeatWave. The Server and Port properties must be set to a MySQL server. If IntegratedSecurity is set to false, then User and Password must be set to valid user credentials. Optionally, Database can be set to connect to a specific database. If not set, tables from all databases will be returned.
You can use SSH (Secure Shell) to authenticate with MySQL, whether the instance is hosted on-premises or in supported cloud environments. SSH authentication ensures that access is encrypted (as compared to direct network connections).
To connect to MySQL via SSH in Password Auth mode, set the following connection properties:
To connect to MySQL via SSH in Password Auth mode, set the following connection properties:
Once you establish the connection to MySQL data, you can configure which entities to visualize:
With the data source configured, you are ready to create visualizations:
You can also use Custom SQL queries to further customize the exact MySQL data pulled. Click New Custom SQL in the data source pane and enter your SQL query to retrieve specific data from MySQL.
With the CData Tableau Connector for MySQL installed, you can build data preparation flows in Tableau Prep Builder:
Tableau Prep Builder allows you to join, cleanse, filter, and aggregate MySQL data into reusable, repeatable flows. You can also use Custom SQL queries to define the exact MySQL data pulled into your flow by clicking New Custom SQL when adding an input step.
Solution: Verify your credentials are current. For OAuth authentication, you may need to re-authorize CData in your MySQL Connected Apps settings. If using Basic authentication, ensure your Security Token is valid; tokens must be reset when passwords change. Contact [email protected] for authorization assistance.
Solution: Check firewall and proxy settings. Ensure outbound HTTPS (port 443) access to MySQL endpoints is allowed. You can configure proxy settings using the ProxyServer, ProxyPort, and ProxyUser connection properties. Contact [email protected] for specific port requirements.
Solution: Ensure the TACO file is properly installed. For Tableau Desktop 2020.3+, the installer should automatically place it in your "My Tableau Repository/Connectors" folder. For manual installation, copy "cdata.mysql.legacy.taco" from the connector's lib directory to your Tableau Connectors folder. Restart Tableau after installation.
For additional connection troubleshooting, contact [email protected] with your specific error message.
Now that you have installed, licensed, and configured the connector, here are some scenarios you can use to explore our Tableau Connectors:
| Tableau | Article Title |
|---|---|
| Tableau | Visualize MySQL in Tableau Desktop |
| Tableau Server | Publish MySQL-Connected Dashboards in Tableau Server |
Yes. Administrator rights are required to install the CData Tableau Connector, as the installer writes to system directories and registers the required components.
Yes. The CData Tableau Connector for MySQL is available for both Windows and macOS platforms. The connector appears directly in Tableau's native connector gallery for streamlined access to your MySQL data.
The CData Tableau Connectors require Tableau Desktop 2020.3 or later and Tableau Prep Builder 2020.4.1 or later. For older versions of Tableau, use the CData ODBC Driver or JDBC Driver for MySQL instead.
Place the bundled .lic file (cdata.tableau.mysql.lic from the lib folder of the installation directory) in the same folder as the connector's JAR file.
If you need assistance at any point:
Yes. The connector includes a separate Connection Builder tool that allows you to create and test connections outside of Tableau. Access it via the Start menu shortcut (Windows) or by running the .jar file in the connector's lib directory. Use the Test Connection button to validate your settings.
Create separate data sources in Tableau, each configured with different MySQL credentials. When using OAuth, each connection will prompt for authentication with the respective MySQL account. Each data source stores its own connection settings independently.
Yes. Proxy settings can be configured using the following connection properties:
By default, the connector uses the system proxy. Set ProxyAutoDetect to false to use a different proxy. For SOCKS proxies, use FirewallServer, FirewallPort, and set FirewallType to SOCKS5.
Refer to the Firewall & Proxy section of the documentation for required properties and supported proxy scenarios.
Check the following:
Contact [email protected] for help with query optimization and best practices.
Logging can be enabled through the connector's connection properties in the Connection Builder or directly in Tableau.
Set the following properties:
Verbosity Levels:
Note: Verbosity should not be set to greater than 1 for normal operation. Higher verbosity levels log substantial amounts of data and may delay execution times. Verbosity 3 and above may capture sensitive information.
Be prepared to upload the log file when contacting [email protected] for analysis.
Most MySQL connections require outbound HTTPS (port 443) access. Ensure your firewall allows outbound secure traffic to MySQL endpoints.
For environments using proxies or additional security layers, consult the Firewall & Proxy section of the connector documentation.
Yes, with some considerations. The CData Tableau Connector for MySQL can be used on Linux for Tableau Server deployments.
For Tableau Server on Linux:
Note: Tableau Desktop runs only on Windows and macOS. For Tableau Cloud connectivity, use CData Connect Cloud.
Refer to the SQL Compliance section of the MySQL connector documentation. The connector supports comprehensive ANSI-92 SQL including filtering, GROUP BY, JOINs, and aggregations. The connector pushes supported SQL operations directly to MySQL and uses an embedded SQL engine for client-side processing of unsupported operations.
Live Connection: Queries MySQL in real-time for every interaction. Best for dashboards requiring up-to-the-second data accuracy. It may be slower for large datasets due to API calls.
Extract: Creates a local snapshot of the data in Tableau's high-performance data engine. Best for large datasets, complex calculations, or when working offline. Schedule refreshes to keep data current. Reduces API calls and improves performance.
CData releases major updates to the Tableau Connector annually, with periodic maintenance updates as needed. Check your CData Account Portal or contact [email protected] for the latest version.
Yes. You can use Custom SQL queries to further customize the exact MySQL data pulled. Click New Custom SQL in the data source pane and enter your SQL query. The connector supports standard SQL syntax and will translate queries to retrieve data from MySQL.
For questions not covered in this FAQ, contact [email protected].
Download a free trial of the MySQL Tableau Connector to get started:
Download NowLearn more:
👁 MySQL IconThe fastest and easiest way to connect Tableau to MySQL data. Includes comprehensive high-performance data access, real-time integration, extensive metadata discovery, and robust SQL-92 support.
