Build AI/ML Models with Live Microsoft Dataverse Data using Dataiku



Connect Microsoft Dataverse Data with Dataiku using the CData JDBC Driver for Microsoft Dataverse.

Dataiku is a data science and machine learning platform used for data preparation, analysis, visualization, and AI/ML model deployment, enabling collaborative and efficient data-driven decision-making. When paired with the CData JDBC Driver for Microsoft Dataverse, Dataiku enhances data integration, preparation, real-time analysis, and reliable model deployment for Microsoft Dataverse data.

With built-in optimized data processing, the CData JDBC Driver offers unmatched performance for interacting with live Microsoft Dataverse data. When you issue complex SQL queries to Microsoft Dataverse, the driver pushes supported SQL operations, like filters and aggregations, directly to Microsoft Dataverse and utilizes the embedded SQL engine to process unsupported operations client-side (often SQL functions and JOIN operations). Its built-in dynamic metadata querying allows you to work with and analyze Microsoft Dataverse data using native data types.

This article shows how you can easily integrate to Microsoft Dataverse using CData JDBC Driver for Microsoft Dataverse in Dataiku DSS (Data Science Studio) platform, allowing you to prepare the data and build custom AI/ML models.

About Microsoft Dataverse Data Integration

CData provides the easiest way to access and integrate live data from Microsoft Dataverse (formerly the Common Data Service). Customers use CData connectivity to:

  • Access both Dataverse Entities and Dataverse system tables to work with exactly the data they need.
  • Authenticate securely with Microsoft Dataverse in a variety of ways, including Azure Active Directory, Azure Managed Service Identity credentials, and Azure Service Principal using either a client secret or a certificate.
  • Use SQL stored procedures to manage Microsoft Dataverse entities - listing, creating, and removing associations between entities.

CData customers use our Dataverse connectivity solutions for a variety of reasons, whether they're looking to replicate their data into a data warehouse (alongside other data sources)or analyze live Dataverse data from their preferred data tools inside the Microsoft ecosystem (Power BI, Excel, etc.) or with external tools (Tableau, Looker, etc.).


Getting Started


Preparing the Dataiku DSS environment

In this section, we will explore how to set up Dataiku, as previously introduced, with Microsoft Dataverse data. Be sure to install Dataiku DSS (On-Prem version) for your preferred operating system, beforehand.

Install the CData JDBC Driver for Microsoft Dataverse

First, install the CData JDBC Driver for Microsoft Dataverse on the same machine as Dataiku. The JDBC Driver will be installed in the following path:

C:\Program Files\CData[product_name] 20xx\lib\cdata.jdbc.cds.jar

Connecting the JDBC Driver in Dataiku DSS

To use the CData JDBC driver in Dataiku, you must create a new SQL database connection and add the JDBC Driver JAR file in the DSS connection settings.

  1. Log into Dataiku DSS platform. It should open locally in your browser (e.g. localhost:11200)
  2. Click on Navigate to other sections of Dataiku menu on the top right section of the platform and select Administration.
  3. Select the Connections tab.
  4. In Connections, click on New Connections button.
  5. Now, scroll down and select Other SQL databases.
  6. Generate a JDBC URL for connecting to Microsoft Dataverse, beginning with jdbc:cds: followed by a series of semicolon-separated connection string properties.

    You can connect without setting any connection properties for your user credentials. Below are the minimum connection properties required to connect.

    • InitiateOAuth: Set this to GETANDREFRESH. You can use InitiateOAuth to avoid repeating the OAuth exchange and manually setting the OAuthAccessToken.
    • OrganizationUrl: Set this to the organization URL you are connecting to, such as https://myorganization.crm.dynamics.com.
    • Tenant (optional): Set this if you wish to authenticate to a different tenant than your default. This is required to work with an organization not on your default Tenant.

    When you connect the Common Data Service OAuth endpoint opens in your default browser. Log in and grant permissions. The OAuth process completes automatically.

    Built-in Connection String Designer

    For assistance in constructing the JDBC URL, use the connection string designer built into the Microsoft Dataverse JDBC Driver. Either double-click the JAR file or execute the jar file from the command-line.

    java -jar cdata.jdbc.cds.jar

    Fill in the connection properties and copy the connection string to the clipboard.

    A typical JDBC URL is given below:

    jdbc:cds:OrganizationUrl=https://myaccount.crm.dynamics.com/InitiateOAuth=GETANDREFRESH
  7. On the New SQL database (JDBC) connection screen, enter a name in the New connection name field and specify the basic parameters:
    • JDBC Driver Class: cdata.jdbc.cds.CDSDriver
    • JDBC URL: JDBC connection URL obtained in the previous step
    • Driver jars directory: the folder path where the JAR file is installed on your system

    Next, select the SQL dialect of your choice. Here, we have selected 'SQL Server' as the preferred dialect. Click on Create. If the connection is successful, a prompt will display, saying 'Connection OK'.

  8. The Data Catalog window will appear. Select the desired connection, catalog, and schema from the Connection to browse, Restrict to catalog, and Restrict to schema dropdowns, then click on List Tables. The Dataiku platform will list all the required tables.
  9. Select any table from the list and click Preview to view the table data. Click Close to exit the window.

Creating a new project

To prepare data flows, create dashboards, analyze the Microsoft Dataverse data, and build AI and ML models in the Dataiku DSS platform, you need to first create a new project.

  1. Select Projects from the Navigate to other sections of Dataiku menu.
  2. In the Projects screen, click New Project and select + Blank Project.
  3. In the New Project window, assign a Name and Project Key. Click Create. The new project dashboard opens up.
  4. Select Notebooks from the menu at the top of the project screen.
  5. Click on + Create Your First Notebook dropdown menu and select Write your own option.
  6. In the New Notebook window, select SQL.
  7. Now, select the required connection from the Connection dropdown and enter a name in the Notebook Name field.

Testing the connection

To test the Microsoft Dataverse connection and analyze the Microsoft Dataverse data, write a query in the query compiler and click Run. The queried/filtered Microsoft Dataverse data results will then appear on the screen.

Get Started Today

Download a free, 30-day trial of the CData JDBC Driver for Microsoft Dataverse to integrate with Dataiku, and effortlessly build custom AI/ML models from Microsoft Dataverse data.

Reach out to our Support Team if you have any questions.

Ready to get started?

Download a free trial of the Microsoft Dataverse Driver to get started:

 Download Now

Learn more:

Microsoft Dataverse Icon Microsoft Dataverse JDBC Driver

Rapidly create and deploy powerful Java applications that integrate with Microsoft Dataverse.