How to Query Live Google Translate Data in Perplexity MacOS Desktop

Perplexity is an AI-powered research and answer engine that allows users to combine web search, structured data, and connected tools through a unified conversational interface. With Perplexity Desktop for macOS, users can bring local tools and data sources directly into their workflow using MCP, enabling fast, context-aware insights powered by live data.

Model Context Protocol (MCP) is an emerging, open-source standard for connecting LLMs with external services and enterprise data sources. Using MCP Servers, AI clients such as Perplexity Desktop can securely interact with applications and data, performing actions, retrieving live information, and enabling natural language access to data.

CData MCP Server provides schema-aware context to AI tools — whether you're using it for AI-assisted code generation in IDEs like Cursor, or for querying live data through chat interfaces like Perplexity Desktop.

In this article, we guide you through installing CData API Driver for MCP Server, configuring the connection to Google Translate, and interacting with your live Google Translate data from Perplexity Desktop.

Step 1: Download and install CData API Driver for MCP Server

1. To begin, download CData API Driver for MCP Server
2. Find and double-click the installer to begin the installation
3. Drag the MCP Server app into the Applications folder

When the installation is complete, you are ready to configure MCP Server by connecting to Google Translate.

NOTE: Since you downloaded the application from the internet and not the Apple App Store, you may see a warning that the application was not opened because Apple could not verify its security. You may continue with the installation.

Installing a trusted, unverified App

CData's solutions are trusted across the globe by some of the largest software vendors in the world. That said, if you have any concerns about continuing, please consult with your IT and/or security team.

1. In the warning message that pops up, click "Done"
2. Open "System Settings" on your machine and navigate to the "Privacy & Security" page

3. Scroll down to the "Security" section and click "Open Anyway"
4. Authorize the installation (passkey or password)

Step 2: Configure the Connection to Google Translate

1. After installation, you can open CData API Driver for MCP Server from the Applications folder on your mac
2. Click the dropdown menu in MCP Configuration > Configuration Name and select "new configuration"
3. Name the configuration (e.g. "cdata_api") and click "OK"

4. Enter the appropriate connection properties in the configuration wizard.

   Authentication

   Google Cloud Translation API requires OAuth 2.0 authentication to ensure secure access to translation services, datasets, glossaries, and adaptive MT resources. This authentication method allows you to securely connect to your Google Cloud project and manage translation resources with proper authorization.

   OAuth 2.0 Setup and Configuration

   Step 1: Create Google Cloud Project and Enable API

   To set up OAuth authentication:

   1. Visit the Google Cloud Console
   2. Create a new project or select an existing project
   3. Note down your Project ID (required for all API calls)
   4. Navigate to "APIs & Services" > "Library"
   5. Search for and enable the "Cloud Translation API"
   6. Go to "APIs & Services" > "Credentials"
   7. Click "Create Credentials" and select "OAuth Client ID"
   8. Configure the OAuth consent screen if prompted
   9. Select "Desktop application" or "Web application" as appropriate
   10. Set the authorized redirect URI (CallbackURL)
   11. Copy the Client ID and Client Secret for use in your connection

   Required Connection Properties

   • AuthScheme: Set this to OAuth (required)
   • OAuthClientId: Client ID from Google Cloud Console (required)
   • OAuthClientSecret: Client secret from Google Cloud Console (required)
   • CallbackURL: Redirect URI specified in your OAuth application (required)
   • InitiateOAuth: Set to GETANDREFRESH for automatic token management (recommended)
   • ProjectId: Your Google Cloud project ID or project number (required for queries)

   Required OAuth Scopes

   The Google Cloud Translation API Profile requires the following OAuth scope:

   • https://www.googleapis.com/auth/cloud-translation - Full access to Cloud Translation API resources including translation, datasets, glossaries, and adaptive MT
   
5. Click "Connect" to authenticate with Google Translate through OAuth.
6. Click "Save Configuration" to save the configuration

With MCP Server configured, you are ready to connect it to Perplexity Desktop.

Step 3: Connect MCP Server to Perplexity Desktop

1. Download the Perplexity Desktop application for macOS and sign in with your Pro or Premium account
2. Open Settings > Connectors. If the Perplexity Helper App is not installed, you will be prompted to download it. Install the Helper App, then restart Perplexity Desktop
3. After restarting, return to Settings > Connectors and click Add Connector
4. Select the Simple tab and assign a name for the connector (e.g., "CData Google Translate"). In the Command box, enter the absolute path to the MCP Server executable.

   For example:

   	/Applications/CData API Driver for MCP Server.app/Contents/Payload/jre/Contents/Home/bin/java \
   	-jar /Applications/CData API Driver for MCP Server.app/Contents/Payload/lib/cdata.mcp.api.jar \
   	cdata_api
   

   
5. Click Save. MCP Server should now appear in the connector list with a "Running" status

Step 4: Query Your Live Google Translate data in Perplexity Desktop

1. Open a new chat in Perplexity Desktop. Click the Sources toggle and enable MCP Server
2. Start asking questions about your Google Translate data. For example:

   "List all the tables available in my Google Translate data connection."

   

Build with MCP Server. Deploy with CData Drivers.

Download MCP Server for free and give your AI tools schema-aware access to live Google Translate data during development. When you're ready to move to production, CData Google Translate Drivers deliver the same SQL-based access with enterprise-grade performance, security, and reliability.

Visit the CData Community to share insights, ask questions, and explore what's possible with MCP-powered AI workflows.