Visualize Live Databricks Data in Tableau

Tableau is a visual analytics platform transforming the way businesses use data to solve problems. When paired with the CData Tableau Connector for Databricks, you can easily get access to live Databricks data within Tableau. This article shows how to connect to Databricks in Tableau and build a simple chart.

The CData Tableau Connectors enable high-speed access to live Databricks data in Tableau. Once you install the connector, you simply authenticate with Databricks and you can immediately start building responsive, dynamic visualizations and dashboards. By surfacing Databricks data using native Tableau data types and handling complex filters, aggregations, & other operations automatically, CData Tableau Connectors grant seamless access to Databricks data.

NOTE: The CData Tableau Connectors require Tableau 2020.3 or higher. If you are using an older version of Tableau, you will need to use the CData Tableau Connector for Databricks. If you wish to connect to Databricks data in Tableau Cloud, you will need to use CData Connect Cloud.

Getting Started

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Connect to Databricks in Tableau

Open Tableau and click More under Connect -> To a Server. Select "Databricks by CData," then configure the connection and click "Sign In."

To connect to a Databricks cluster, set the properties as described below.

Note: The needed values can be found in your Databricks instance by navigating to Clusters, and selecting the desired cluster, and selecting the JDBC/ODBC tab under Advanced Options.

• Server: Set to the Server Hostname of your Databricks cluster.
• HTTPPath: Set to the HTTP Path of your Databricks cluster.
• Token: Set to your personal access token (this value can be obtained by navigating to the User Settings page of your Databricks instance and selecting the Access Tokens tab).

Discover Schemas and Query Data

1. Select CData from the Database pull-down menu.
2. Select Databricks from the Schema pull-down menu.
3. Drag the tables and views you wish to visualize onto the join area. You can include multiple tables.
4. Select Update Now or Automatically Update. Update Now lets you preview the first 10,000 rows of the data source (or enter the number of rows you want to see in the Rows text box). Automatically Update automatically reflects the changes in the preview area.
5. Click the tab for your worksheet. Columns are listed as Dimensions and Measures, depending on the data type. The CData Tableau Connector discovers data types automatically, allowing you to leverage the powerful data processing and visualization features of Tableau.
6. Drag a field from the Dimensions or Measures area to Rows or Columns. Tableau creates column or row headers.
7. Select one of the chart types from the Show Me tab. Tableau displays the chart type that you selected.

Using the CData Tableau Connector for Databricks with Tableau, you can easily create robust visualizations and reports on Databricks data. Download a free, 30-day trial and get started today.