Query Avalara AvaTax Data in MySQL Workbench

MySQL Workbench allows users to administer MySQL environments and gain better visibility into databases. When paired with CData Connect (on-premise or Connect Server), you get live access to Avalara AvaTax data as if it were a MySQL database. This article shows how to create a virtual database for Avalara AvaTax in Connect and work with live Avalara AvaTax data in MySQL Workbench.

Create a Virtual MySQL Database for Avalara AvaTax Data

CData Connect uses a straightforward, point-and-click interface to connect to data sources and generate APIs.

1. Login to Connect and click Connections.
2. Select "Avalara AvaTax" from Available Data Sources.
3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to Avalara AvaTax.

   The primary method for performing basic authentication is to provide your login credentials, as follows:

   • User: Set this to your username.
   • Password: Set this to your password.

   Optionally, if you are making use of a sandbox environment, set the following:

   • UseSandbox: Set this to true if you are authenticating with a sandbox account.

   Authenticating Using Account Number and License Key

   Alternatively, you can authenticate using your account number and license key. Connect to data using the following:

   • AccountId: Set this to your Account Id. The Account Id is listed in the upper right hand corner of the admin console.
   • LicenseKey: Set this to your Avalara Avatax license key. You can generate a license key by logging into Avalara Avatax as an account administrator and navigating to Settings -> Reset License Key.
4. Click Save Changes
5. Click Privileges -> Add and add the new user (or an existing user) with the appropriate permissions.

With the virtual database created, you are ready to connect to Avalara AvaTax from MySQL Workbench.

Query Avalara AvaTax from MySQL Workbench

The steps below outline connecting to the virtual Avalara AvaTax database in Connect from MySQL Workbench and issuing basic queries to work with live Avalara AvaTax data.

Connect to Avalara AvaTax through Connect

1. In MySQL Workbench, click to add a new MySQL connection.
2. Name the connection (CData Connect).
3. Set the Hostname, Port, and Username parameters to connect to the SQL Gateway.
4. Click Store in Vault to set and store the password.
5. Click Test Connection to ensure the connection is configured properly and click OK.

Query Avalara AvaTax Data

1. Open the connection you just created (CData Connect).
2. Click File -> New Query Tab.
3. Write a SQL query to retrieve Avalara AvaTax data, like SELECT * FROM avalaradb.Transactions;

With access to live Avalara AvaTax data from MySQL Workbench, you can easily query and update Avalara AvaTax, just like you would a MySQL database. Request a demo of the CData Connect and start working with Avalara AvaTax just like a MySQL database today.