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.
Install the Qlik ODBC Connector Package, which lets you define the data source in Qlik Sense without the need to use the Microsoft Windows ODBC Data Source Administrator.

Qlik Sense Custom Connectors help

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.

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.

Before 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:

Open Odbcad32.exe.
Go to the tab System DSN to create a system data source.
Click Add.

The Create New Data Source dialog appears, showing a list of the ODBC drivers installed.
If the correct ODBC driver is listed, select it and click Finish.

A dialog specific to the selected database driver appears.
Name the data source and set the necessary parameters.
Click OK.

Best practices when using ODBC data connections

Moving apps with ODBC data connections

If you move an app between Qlik Sense sites/Qlik Sense Desktop installations, data connections are included. If the app contains ODBC data connections, you need to make sure that the related ODBC data sources exist on the new deployment as well. The ODBC data sources need to be named and configured identically, and point to the same databases or files.

Security aspects when connecting to file based ODBC data connections

ODBC data connections using file based drivers will expose the path to the connected data file in the connection string. The path can be exposed when the connection is edited, in the data selection dialog, or in certain SQL queries.

If this is a concern, it is recommended to connect to the data file using a folder data connection if it is possible.

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