Query Airtable 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 Airtable data as if it were a MySQL database. This article shows how to create a virtual database for Airtable in Connect and work with live Airtable data in MySQL Workbench.

Create a Virtual MySQL Database for Airtable 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 "Airtable" from Available Data Sources.
3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to Airtable.

   APIKey, BaseId and TableNames parameters are required to connect to Airtable. ViewNames is an optional parameter where views of the tables may be specified.

   • APIKey : API Key of your account. To obtain this value, after logging in go to Account. In API section click Generate API key.
   • BaseId : Id of your base. To obtain this value, it is in the same section as the APIKey. Click on Airtable API, or navigate to https://airtable.com/api and select a base. In the introduction section you can find "The ID of this base is appxxN2ftedc0nEG7."
   • TableNames : A comma separated list of table names for the selected base. These are the same names of tables as found in the UI.
   • ViewNames : A comma separated list of views in the format of (table.view) names. These are the same names of the views as found in the UI.
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 Airtable from MySQL Workbench.

Query Airtable from MySQL Workbench

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

Connect to Airtable 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 Airtable Data

1. Open the connection you just created (CData Connect).
2. Click File -> New Query Tab.
3. Write a SQL query to retrieve Airtable data, like SELECT * FROM airtabledb.SampleTable_1;

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