7 Replies Latest reply on Aug 6, 2018 7:45 AM by Pragathi Sudheer Branched to a new discussion.

A few ways to build Web Data Connectors (WDC)

paul katsen Nov 15, 2017 7:02 AM

Hey team,

I noticed building Web Data Connectors was still way too hard. So here's a short blog post explaining how to build WDCs really quickly: DIY Tableau Web Connectors. Should be useful for anyone that's repeatedly exporting data into Excel then Tableau.

Note - each of the methods I included use Blockspring (a paid service), which handles the UI, hosting, and Tableau SDK parts of building a WDC.

Including the 4 tutorial videos from the blog post below:

OMDB Movie API as WDC in 10 lines of Python

Using Prebuilt WDCs (no code)

Create a WDC if you found a API URL (no code, only works for GET requests)

Create a WDC that Collects Data over Time (eg collect daily fb shares for posts)

1. Re: How to Build a Web Data Connector with Minimal Code

paul katsen Aug 30, 2016 5:56 PM (in response to paul katsen)

Oh and feel free to message me if you have any questions!
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2. Re: How to Build a Web Data Connector with Minimal Code

Veronica Simoes Aug 30, 2016 5:58 PM (in response to paul katsen)

Hi Paul,

Amazinggggg!!!!

I am testing this right now

Bests Veronica
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3. Re: How to Build a Web Data Connector with Minimal Code

paul katsen Aug 31, 2016 9:06 AM (in response to Veronica Simoes)

Hey Veronica Simoes were you able to get your WDC set up?
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4. Re: How to Build a Web Data Connector with Minimal Code

Lucas Hedgren Aug 31, 2016 12:38 PM (in response to paul katsen)

Hi Paul,

I would like to build a connector that would allow me to refresh multiple OData connections that all use the same credentials, all at once. Can Blockspring help with that?
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5. Re: How to Build a Web Data Connector with Minimal Code

paul katsen Aug 31, 2016 12:50 PM (in response to Lucas Hedgren)

Hey Lucas. That's interesting. Didn't think about building a WDC to consume OData. Why not use the native Tableau OData connector... OData?
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6. Re: How to Build a Web Data Connector with Minimal Code

Lucas Hedgren Aug 31, 2016 12:53 PM (in response to paul katsen)

It is cumbersome to refresh more than one or two feeds at one time. There is no "Refresh all" option, and credentials need be entered at each stage. The Tableau people suggested a WDC. I am not capable of writing it from scratch, but thought Blockspring might work for me.
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7. Re: A few ways to build Web Data Connectors (WDC)

Pragathi Sudheer Aug 6, 2018 7:45 AM (in response to paul katsen)

Hi Paul,

I have a question regarding using Blockspring when accessing secure data. When using APIs that require authentication keys and authorization through certificates, how can those be called/added to the connector? Is that something I need to do through Tableau desktop, do I need to build a connector for this, or is there a way to do that through programming in Blockspring?

Thank you,
Pragathi
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