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Qlik Resources

ODBC

To access a DBMS (Database Management System) via ODBC with Qlik Sense, you have two options.

  • Install an ODBC driver for the DBMS in question, and create a data source DSN. This is described in this section.

  • Use the Database connectors in the Qlik ODBC Connector Package that supports the most common ODBC sources. This lets you define the data source in Qlik Sense without the need to use the Microsoft Windows ODBC Data Source Administrator. To connect directly to a database through one of the Qlik-licensed ODBC drivers in the ODBC Connector Package, see the instructions for Database connectors on the Qlik Connectors help site.

    For more information, see Qlik Connectors: Database.

Information noteThe Create new connection (ODBC) dialog displays the User DSN connections that have been configured. When you are using the Qlik Sense Desktop, the list of DSN connections displays the ODBC drivers included in the ODBC Connector Package. They are identified by the "Qlik-" attached to the name (for example, Qlik-db2). These drivers cannot be used to create a new ODBC connection. They are used exclusively by the database connectors in the ODBC Connector Package. The ODBC drivers from the ODBC Connector Package are not displayed when you are using Qlik Sense in a server environment.

The alternative is to export data from the database into a file that is readable to Qlik Sense.

Normally, some ODBC drivers are installed with Microsoft Windows. Additional drivers can be bought from software retailers, found on the Internet or delivered from the DBMS manufacturer. Some drivers are redistributed freely.

The ODBC interface described here is the interface on the client computer. If the plan is to use ODBC to access a multi-user relational database on a network server, additional DBMS software that allows a client to access the database on the server might be needed. Contact the DBMS supplier for more information on the software needed.

ODBC data connection settings

ODBC data connection settings
UI item Description
User DSN

System DSN

Select which type of DSN to connect to.

For User DSN sources you need to specify if a 32-bit driver is used with Use 32-bit connection.

System DSN connections can be filtered according to 32-bit or 64-bit.
Single Sign-On

You can enable Single Sign-On (SSO) when connecting to SAP HANA data sources.

For more information, see Configuring SAP HANA for SAML Single Sign-On with Qlik Sense.

If this option is not selected, Engine service user credentials are used, unless you specify credentials in Username and Password.

If this option is selected, Engine service user or Username / Password credentials are used to do a Windows logon, followed by a subsequent logon to SAML (SAP HANA) using current user credentials.
Username

User name to connect with, if required by the data source.

Leave this field empty if you want to use Engine service user credentials, or if the data source does not require credentials.
Password

Password to connect with, if required by the data source.

Leave this field empty if you want to use Engine service user credentials, or if the data source does not require credentials.
Name Name of the data connection.

Adding ODBC drivers

An ODBC driver for your DBMS (DataBase Management System) must be installed for Qlik Sense to be able to access your database. Please refer to the documentation for the DBMS that you are using for further details.

64-bit and 32-bit versions of ODBC configuration

A 64-bit version of the Microsoft Windows operating system includes the following versions of the Microsoft Open DataBase Connectivity (ODBC) Data Source Administrator tool (Odbcad32.exe):

  • The 32-bit version of the Odbcad32.exe file is located in the %systemdrive%\Windows\SysWOW64 folder.
  • The 64-bit version of the Odbcad32.exe file is located in the %systemdrive%\Windows\System32 folder.

Creating ODBC data sources

An ODBC data source must be created for the database you want to access. This can be done during the ODBC installation or at a later stage.

Information noteBefore you start creating data sources, a decision must be made whether the data sources should be User DSN or System DSN (recommended). You can only reach user data sources with the correct user credentials. On a server installation, typically you need to create system data sources to be able to share the data sources with other users.

Do the following:

  1. Open Odbcad32.exe.

  2. Go to the tab System DSN to create a system data source.

  3. Click Add.

    The Create New Data Source dialog appears, showing a list of the ODBC drivers installed.

  4. If the correct ODBC driver is listed, select it and click Finish.

    A dialog specific to the selected database driver appears.

  5. Name the data source and set the necessary parameters.
  6. Click OK.

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