Visualize Live Dynamics GP 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 Dynamics GP, you can easily get access to live Dynamics GP data within Tableau. This article shows how to connect to Dynamics GP in Tableau and build a simple chart.

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

Connect to Dynamics GP in Tableau

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

To authenticate set the User and Password connection properties.

To connect set the URL to the Web services endpoint; for example, http://{servername}:{port}/Dynamics/GPService. Additionally, set CompanyId; you can obtain this value in the company setup window: Click Tools -> Setup -> Company.

By default, data summaries are not returned to save performance. Set LookupIds to true to return details such as line items; however, note that entities must be retrieved one at a time.

Discover Schemas and Query Data

1. Select CData from the Database pull-down menu.
2. Select DynamicsGP 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 Dynamics GP with Tableau, you can easily create robust visualizations and reports on Dynamics GP data. Download a free, 30-day trial and get started today.