Visualize Live SFTP Data in Tableau

Tableau is a visual analytics platform transforming the way businesses use data to solve problems. When paired with the CData Tableau Connector for SFTP, you can easily get access to live SFTP data within Tableau. This article shows how to connect to SFTP in Tableau and build a simple chart.

The CData Tableau Connectors enable high-speed access to live SFTP data in Tableau. Once you install the connector, you simply authenticate with SFTP and you can immediately start building responsive, dynamic visualizations and dashboards. By surfacing SFTP data using native Tableau data types and handling complex filters, aggregations, & other operations automatically, CData Tableau Connectors grant seamless access to SFTP data.

NOTE: The CData Tableau Connectors require Tableau 2020.3 or higher. If you are using an older version of Tableau, you will need to use the CData JDBC Driver.

Connect to SFTP in Tableau

Open Tableau and click More under Connect -> To a Server. Select "SFTP by CData," then configure the connection and click "Sign In."

SFTP can be used to transfer files to and from SFTP servers using the SFTP Protocol. To connect, specify the RemoteHost;. service uses the User and Password and public key authentication (SSHClientCert). Choose an SSHAuthMode and specify connection values based on your selection.

Set the following connection properties to control the relational view of the file system:

• RemotePath: Set this to the current working directory.
• TableDepth: Set this to control the depth of subfolders to report as views.
• FileRetrievalDepth: Set this to retrieve files recursively and list them in the Root table.

Stored Procedures are available to download files, upload files, and send protocol commands. See gdatamodel for more on using SQL to interact with the server. 👁 Configuring the Connector (Sage Intacct is shown)

Discover Schemas and Query Data

1. Select CData from the Database pull-down menu.
2. Select SFTP from the Schema pull-down menu.
3. Drag the tables and views you wish to visualize onto the join area. You can include multiple tables. 👁 Selecting table(s)
   
4. Select Update Now or Automatically Update. Update Now lets you preview the first 10,000 rows of the data source (or enter the number of rows you want to see in the Rows text box). Automatically Update automatically reflects the changes in the preview area.
5. Click the tab for your worksheet. Columns are listed as Dimensions and Measures, depending on the data type. The CData Tableau Connector discovers data types automatically, allowing you to leverage the powerful data processing and visualization features of Tableau.
6. Drag a field from the Dimensions or Measures area to Rows or Columns. Tableau creates column or row headers.
7. Select one of the chart types from the Show Me tab. Tableau displays the chart type that you selected.
👁 Visualizing live SFTP data

Using the CData Tableau Connector for SFTP with Tableau, you can easily create robust visualizations and reports on SFTP data. Download a free, 30-day trial and get started today.