How to create an RPA flow for Templated Data in UiPath Studio

UiPath is a Robotic Process Automation (RPA) platform with rich features and an easy-to-use UI that enables non-developers to create process automation. By using UiPath Studio, you can build an RPA program just like drawing a diagram. With the CData API Driver for ODBC, users can embed Templated data in the workflow.

This article explains how to use the Templated ODBC Driver in UiPath Studio to create an RPA program that accesses Templated data.

👁 Using the CData ODBC Data Sources in UiPath

Configure the Connection to Templated

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.

To authenticate to Templated, you will need an API key. You can obtain your API key from the Templated Dashboard under the API Key tab (app.templated.io > Dashboard > API Key).

Using API Key Authentication

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

• AuthScheme: Set this to APIKey.
• APIKey: Set this to your Templated API key.

Example connection string:

Profile=C:\profiles\Templated.apip;AuthScheme=APIKey;ProfileSettings='APIKey=my_api_key';

Connect UiPath Studio to Templated Data

Now you are ready to use Templated data ODBC DSN in UiPath Studio with the following steps.

1. From the Start page, click Blank to create a New Project.
2. Click Manage Packages then search for and install UiPath.Database.Activities.
3. Navigate to the Activities and drop a Flowchart (Workflow -> Flowchart -> Flowchart) onto the process.
4. Drop a database Connect activity (App Integration -> Datbase -> Connect) after the Start activity.
5. Double-click the Connect activity and configure the Connection. 👁 Configure the Connect Activity
   
   1. Click the Connection Wizard
   2. Select "Microsoft ODBC Data Source"
   3. In Connection Properties, select your DSN (CData API Source) and click OK
6. To store Connection info, create a variable and bind to Output in the Properties section. Choose DatabaseConnection in Output.
   👁 Bind the Connection to the Output property.
   

Create an Execute Query Activity

With the connection configured, we are ready to query Templated data in our RPA.

1. From the Activities navigation, select Execute Query and drop it on the Flowchart.
2. Double-click the Execute Query activity and set the properties as follows:
   • ExistingDbConnection: Your Connection variable
   • Sql: SELECT statement like SELECT , FROM Account WHERE = ''
   • DataTable: Create and use a variable with the Type System.Data.DataTable
   👁 Set the Query for the ODBC Driver.
   

Create Write CSV Activity

With the Connection and Execute Query activities configured, we are ready to add a Write CSV activity to the Flowchart to replicate the Templated data.

1. From the Activities navigation, select Write CSV and drop it after the Execute Query activity.
2. Double-click the Write CSV activity and set the properties as follows:
   • FilePath: Set to a file (new or existing) on disk (i.e.: C:\UiPath[id]-data.csv
   • DataTable: Set to the DataTable variable you created earlier

Connect the Activities and Run the Flowchart

If they are not already connected, connect each Activity that you created to complete the RPA project for extracting Templated data and exporting it to CSV.

👁 Connect each Activity in the Flowchart

Click Run to extract Templated data and create a CSV file.

👁 Running the RPA Flowchart

In this article, we used the CData API Driver for ODBC to create an automation flow that accesses Templated data in UiPath Studio. Download a free, 30-day trial of the ODBC Driver and start working with live Templated data in UiPath Studio today!