Access Live Dropbox Data in Google Sheets

Google Sheets is a free, web-based spreadsheet program. When paired with CData Connect Server, you can instantly access Dropbox data from within Google Sheets for data analysis, collaborations, calculations, and more. This article shows how to connect to Dropbox in your Connect Server instance and access live Dropbox data in Google Sheets.

CData Connect Server provides a pure MySQL interface for Dropbox, allowing you to easily access live Dropbox data in Google Sheets. Simply use the partner Connect Server Connector to generate a query (or write your own). Using optimized data processing out of the box, CData Connect Server pushes all supported query operations (filters, JOINs, etc) directly to Dropbox, leveraging server-side processing to quickly return Dropbox data.

Create a Virtual MySQL Database for Dropbox Data

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

1. Log into Connect Server and click Connections.
2. Select "Dropbox" from Available Data Sources.
3. Dropbox uses OAuth to authenticate. Click Connect to authenticate with Dropbox.
4. 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 Dropbox data from Google Sheets.

Access Live Dropbox Data in Google Sheets

The steps below outline connecting to CData Connect Server from Google Sheets to access live Dropbox data.

1. Log into Google Sheets, create a new sheet (or open an existing one).
2. Click Add-ons and click Get Add-ons (if you have already installed the Add-on, jump to step 5).
3. Search for CData Connect Server Connector and select the Add-on.
4. Authorize the Connector.
5. Back in Google Sheets, click Add-ons and open the CData Connect Server Connector.
6. Use your instance name (myinstance in CONNECT_SERVER_URL), username, and password to connect to your Connect Server instance.
7. Click CREATE to access Dropbox data through your Connect Server instance.
8. Select a Database (e.g. Dropbox1) and click Next.
9. Select a Table (e.g. Files) and Fields (columns), add any sorting, filtering, and limits and click Execute.

SQL Access to Dropbox Data from Applications

Now, you have a direct connection to live Dropbox data from your Google Sheets workbook. You can add more data to your workbook for calculations, aggregations, collaboration, and more.

Try CData Connect Server and get SQL data access to 200+ SaaS, Big Data, and NoSQL sources directly from your applications.