Connect to data sources
Data connections in the data load editor provide a way to save shortcuts to the data sources you commonly use: databases, local files or remote files. Data connections lists the connections you have saved in alphabetical order. You can use the search/filter box to narrow the list down to connections with a certain name or type.
The following types of connections exist:
- Standard connectors:
- ODBC database connections.
- OLE DB database connections.
Folder connections that define a path for local or network file folders.
The Attached files folder, which you cannot delete or edit, contains files that are uploaded and attached to the app.
- Web file connections used to select data from files located on a web URL.
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Custom connectors:
With custom developed connectors you can connect to data sources that are not directly supported by Qlik Sense. Custom connectors are developed using the QVX SDK or supplied by Qlik or third-party developers. In a standard Qlik Sense installation you will not have any custom connectors available.
Creating a new data connection
Do the following:
- Click Create new connection.
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Select the type of data source you want to create from the drop-down list.
The settings dialog, specific for the type of data source you selected, opens.
- Enter the data source settings and click Create to create the data connection.
The data connection is now created with you as the default owner. If you want other users to be able to use the connection in a server installation, you need to edit the access rights of the connection in Qlik Management Console.
Deleting a data connection
Do the following:
- Click on the data connection you want to delete.
- Confirm that you want to delete the connection.
The data connection is now deleted.
Editing a data connection
Do the following:
- Click on the data connection you want to edit.
- Edit the data connection details. Connection details are specific to the type of connection.
- Click Save.
The data connection is now updated.
Inserting a connect string
Connect strings are required for ODBC, OLE DB and custom connections.
Do the following:
- Click on the connection for which you want to insert a connect string.
A connect string for the selected data connection is inserted at the current position in the data load editor.
See: Connect
Selecting data from a data connection
If you want to select data to load in your app, do the following:
- Create new connection linking to the data source (if the data connection does not already exist).
- Select data from the connection.
Referring to a data connection in the script
You can use the data connection to refer to data sources in statements and functions in the script, typically where you want to refer to a file name with a path.
The syntax for referring to a file is 'lib://(connection_name)/(file_name_including_path)'
Example 1: Loading a file from a folder data connection
This example loads the file orders.csv from the location defined in the MyData data connection.
Example 2: Loading a file from a sub-folder
This example loads the file Customers/cust.txt from the DataSource data connection folder. Customers is a sub-folder in the location defined in the MyData data connection.
Example 3: Loading from a web file
This example loads a table from the PublicData web file data connection, which contains the link to the actual URL.
Example 4: Loading from a database
This example loads the table Sales_data from the MyDataSource database connection.
Where is the data connection stored?
Connections are stored using the Qlik Sense Repository Service.You can manage data connections with the Qlik Management Console in a Qlik Sense server deployment. The Qlik Management Console allows you to delete data connections, set access rights and perform other system administration tasks.
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