Use the CData ODBC Driver for SFTP in Microsoft Power Query

The CData ODBC Driver for SFTP enables you to link to SFTP data in Microsoft Power Query, ensuring that you see any updates. This article details how to use the ODBC driver to import SFTP data into Microsoft Power Query.

Connect to SFTP as an ODBC Data Source

If you have not already, first specify connection properties in an ODBC DSN (data source name). This is the last step of the driver installation. You can use the Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator to create and configure ODBC DSNs.

SFTP can be used to transfer files to and from SFTP servers using the SFTP Protocol. To connect, specify the RemoteHost;. service uses the User and Password and public key authentication (SSHClientCert). Choose an SSHAuthMode and specify connection values based on your selection.

Set the following connection properties to control the relational view of the file system:

• RemotePath: Set this to the current working directory.
• TableDepth: Set this to control the depth of subfolders to report as views.
• FileRetrievalDepth: Set this to retrieve files recursively and list them in the Root table.

Import SFTP Data

Follow the steps below to import SFTP data using standard SQL:

1. From the ribbon in Excel, click Power Query -> From Other Data Sources -> From ODBC.

2. Enter the ODBC connection string. Below is a connection string using the default DSN created when you install the driver: Provider=MSDASQL.1;Persist Security Info=False;DSN=CData SFTP Source

3. Enter the SELECT statement to import data with. For example:

   SELECT Filesize, Filename FROM MyDirectory WHERE FilePath = /documents/doc.txt

4. Enter credentials, if required, and click Connect. The results of the query are displayed in the Query Editor Preview. You can combine queries from other data sources or refine the data with Power Query formulas. To load the query to the worksheet, click the Close and Load button.