ODBC, JDBC TUTORIAL

How to Build Tableau Reports on MS Dynamics 365 Data using the DataDirect Microsoft Dynamics 365 Drivers

Updated: 07 Aug 2024

Introduction

Progress DataDirect’s MS Dynamics 365 ODBC and JDBC Drivers offer a high-performing, secure, and reliable connectivity solution, for ODBC and JDBC applications to access MS Dynamics 365 data. If you want to use our ODBC and JDBC MS Dynamics 365 Drivers with the Tableau Desktop application, Progress DataDirect has you covered. This tutorial will teach you how to configure the DataDirect MS Dynamics 365 ODBC and JDBC driver within Tableau Desktop to create reports. These steps can also configure any ODBC and JDBC connection with Tableau.

 

Prerequisites for ODBC

This tutorial assumes that you have ODBC drivers installed and a data source configured. If you have not yet done these steps, please follow these instructions:   

 

  1.  Download and install the Progress DataDirect MS Dynamics 365 ODBC driver for your database using the 15-day trial software. In this tutorial, we are connecting to MS Dynamics 365.
  2. Configure a data source for your database. See the DataDirect documentation for assistance with setting up your data source. The sample below uses a data source.   

 

Configure Connection to MS Dynamics 365 Driver Using the Configuration Manager

1. After the DataDirect MS Dynamics 365 ODBC driver has been installed, open ODBC Administrator to configure the connection and click on "Add."   

  

 

 

2. Choose the “DataDirect X.X Microsoft Dynamics 365” driver and click on “Finish.”  
   

 

 

3. You should now see the ODBC MS Dynamics 365 Datasource configuration manager launched in your browser.   

  

 

4. Add your Data Source Name and other credentials. Click on “Save” and then “Test Connect.”  

  

 

5. A Logon Dialog will pop up in your browser. Recheck your credentials and click on “OK.”   

  

 

6. The connection will then be established, and you will be able to access your metadata.  

 

Connect to an ODBC Datasource

1. Start Tableau and select the “Other Databases (ODBC)” option.  

 

  

 

 

2. In the pop-up window, select the “DSN” radial button, choose the data source previously configured to connect to MS Dynamics 365 in the dropdown, and click on “Connect.”   
 

 

3. The Logon Dialog will reappear. Click on “OK.”   

 

  

 

4. The string extras will appear in the designated box. Enter any additional parameters required to connect to your MS Dynamics 365 data source, such as a username and password, and select “Sign In.”   

 

 

Prerequisites for JDBC

Download and install the Progress DataDirect MS Dynamics 365 JDBC driver using the 15-day trial software. In this tutorial, we are connecting to MS Dynamics 365. 

 

Installing the JDBC Driver

1. After the driver has been downloaded: 

  • If you are on Windows, extract the PROGRESS_DATADIRECT_JDBC_DYNAMICS365_WIN.zip and run the PROGRESS_DATADIRECT_JDBC_INSTALL.exeto install the JDBC driver.     
  • If you are on Linux, extract the PROGRESS_DATADIRECT_JDBC_DYNAMICS365_WIN.zip and run the PROGRESS_DATADIRECT_JDBC_INSTALL.jarto start the installation.     

  

2. After you have completed the installation, you can find the Progress DataDirect MS Dynamics 365 jar file.     

  • On Windows, you will find it at C:\Program Files\Progress\DataDirect\JDBC_60\lib\dynamics365.jar     
  • On Linux, you will find it at ~/home/<username>/Progress/DataDirect/JDBC_60/lib/dynamics365.jar  

 

Configure Connection to MS Dynamics 365 Using the Configuration Manager

1. Progress DataDirect MS Dynamics 365 JDBC connector comes with a JDBC Configuration Manager that helps you easily configure the connection to your MS Dynamics 365 data.  

 

2. To Launch the MS Dynamics 365 JDBC Configuration Manager, double click the dynamics365.jar at “Program Files\Progress\DataDirect\JDBC_60\lib\dynamics365.jar”, or run using java -jar dynamics365.jar  

 

3. You should now see the below configuration manager launched in your browser.