How to Query Live QuickBooks Online Data in Perplexity MacOS Desktop

Yazhini G
Technical Marketing Engineer

Connect to and query live QuickBooks Online Data in Perplexity Desktop using the CData MCP Server.

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.

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

About QuickBooks Online Data Integration

CData provides the easiest way to access and integrate live data from QuickBooks Online. Customers use CData connectivity to:

Realize high-performance data reads thanks to push-down query optimization for complex operations like filters and aggregations.
Read, write, update, and delete QuickBooks Online data.
Run reports, download attachments, and send or void invoices directly from code using SQL stored procedures.
Connect securely using OAuth and modern cryptography, including TLS 1.2, SHA-256, and ECC.

Many users access live QuickBooks Online data from preferred analytics tools like Power BI and Excel, directly from databases with federated access, and use CData solutions to easily integrate QuickBooks Online data with automated workflows for business-to-business communications.

For more information on how customers are solving problems with CData's QuickBooks Online solutions, refer to our blog: https://www.cdata.com/blog/360-view-of-your-customers.

Getting Started

Step 1: Download and install the CData MCP Server for QuickBooks Online

To begin, download the CData MCP Server for QuickBooks Online
Find and double-click the installer to begin the installation
Drag the CData MCP Server app into the Applications folder

When the installation is complete, you are ready to configure your MCP Server by connecting to QuickBooks Online.

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.

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

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

Step 2: Configure the Connection to QuickBooks Online

After installation, you can open the CData MCP Server for QuickBooks Online from the Applications folder on your mac
Click the dropdown menu in MCP Configuration > Configuration Name and select "new configuration"
Name the configuration (e.g. "cdata_quickbooksonline") and click "OK"
Enter the appropriate connection properties in the configuration wizard.

QuickBooks Online uses the OAuth authentication standard. OAuth requires the authenticating user to log in through the browser. To authenticate using OAuth, you can use the embedded OAuthClientId, OAuthClientSecret, and CallbackURL or you can obtain your own by registering an app with Intuit. Additionally, if you want to connect to sandbox data, set UseSandbox to true.

See the Getting Started chapter of the help documentation for a guide to using OAuth.
Click "Connect" to authenticate with QuickBooks Online through OAuth.
Click "Save Configuration" to save the MCP server

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

Step 3: Connect the MCP Server to Perplexity Desktop

Download the Perplexity Desktop application for macOS and sign in with your Pro or Premium account
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
After restarting, return to Settings > Connectors and click Add Connector

Select the Simple tab and assign a name for the connector (e.g., "CData QuickBooks Online MCP"). In the Command box, enter the absolute path to your MCP Server executable.

For example:

	/Applications/CData MCP Server for QuickBooks Online.app/Contents/Payload/jre/Contents/Home/bin/java \
	-jar /Applications/CData MCP Server for QuickBooks Online.app/Contents/Payload/lib/cdata.mcp.quickbooksonline.jar \
	cdata_quickbooksonline

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

Step 4: Query Your Live QuickBooks Online data in Perplexity Desktop

Open a new chat in Perplexity Desktop. Click the Sources toggle and enable your MCP Server
Start asking questions about your QuickBooks Online data. For example:
"List all the tables available in my QuickBooks Online data connection."

Connect your AI to your QuickBooks Online data today!

CData MCP Servers make it simple to connect Perplexity and other LLM clients to real-time enterprise data. Download a free, 30-day trial and join the CData Community to share insights, ask questions, and help shape the future of enterprise-ready AI.