Use the CData ODBC Driver for Helpscout in Microsoft Power Query

The CData ODBC Driver for Helpscout enables you to link to Helpscout data in Microsoft Power Query, ensuring that you see any updates. This article details how to use the ODBC driver to import Helpscout data into Microsoft Power Query.

Connect to Helpscout as an ODBC Data Source

If you have not already, first specify connection properties in an ODBC DSN (data source name). This is the last step of the driver installation. You can use the Microsoft ODBC Data Source Administrator to create and configure ODBC DSNs.

Start by setting the Profile connection property to the location of the Helpscout Profile on disk (e.g. C:\profiles\Helpscout.apip). Next, set the ProfileSettings connection property to the connection string for Helpscout (see below).

Helpscout API Profile Settings

Generate an API key in Help Scout by going to Your Profile > Authentication > Generate an API Key.

Import Helpscout Data

Follow the steps below to import Helpscout data using standard SQL:

1. From the ribbon in Excel, click Power Query -> From Other Data Sources -> From ODBC.

2. Enter the ODBC connection string. Below is a connection string using the default DSN created when you install the driver:

   Provider=MSDASQL.1;Persist Security Info=False;DSN=CData API Source

3. Enter the SELECT statement to import data with. For example:

       SELECT Id, Number FROM Categories WHERE Visibility = 'public'
       

   

4. Enter credentials, if required, and click Connect. The results of the query are displayed in the Query Editor Preview. You can combine queries from other data sources or refine the data with Power Query formulas. To load the query to the worksheet, click the Close and Load button.