Access Live Google Drive Data in Google Sheets

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

CData Connect Server provides a pure MySQL interface for Google Drive, allowing you to easily access live Google Drive 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 Google Drive, leveraging server-side processing to quickly return Google Drive data.

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

   You can connect to Google APIs on behalf of individual users or on behalf of a domain. Google uses the OAuth authentication standard. See the "Getting Started" section of the help documentation for a guide.

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 Google Drive data from Google Sheets.

Access Live Google Drive Data in Google Sheets

The steps below outline connecting to CData Connect Server from Google Sheets to access live Google Drive 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 Google Drive data through your Connect Server instance.
8. Select a Database (e.g. GoogleDrive1) 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 Google Drive Data from Applications

Now, you have a direct connection to live Google Drive 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.