How to create an RPA flow for Salesforce Data Cloud Data in UiPath Studio



Use the Salesforce Data Cloud ODBC Driver to create workflows that access real-time Salesforce Data Cloud data without any coding.

UiPath is a Robotic Process Automation (RPA) platform with rich features and an easy-to-use UI that enables non-developers to create process automation. By using UiPath Studio, you can build an RPA program just like drawing a diagram. With the CData ODBC Driver for Salesforce Data Cloud, users can embed Salesforce Data Cloud data in the workflow.

This article walks through using the Salesforce Data Cloud ODBC Driver in UiPath Studio to create an RPA program that accesses Salesforce Data Cloud data.

Configure the Connection to Salesforce Data Cloud

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.

Salesforce Data Cloud supports authentication via the OAuth standard.

OAuth

Set AuthScheme to OAuth.

Desktop Applications

CData provides an embedded OAuth application that simplifies authentication at the desktop.

You can also authenticate from the desktop via a custom OAuth application, which you configure and register at the Salesforce Data Cloud console. For further information, see Creating a Custom OAuth App in the Help documentation.

Before you connect, set these properties:

  • InitiateOAuth: GETANDREFRESH. You can use InitiateOAuth to avoid repeating the OAuth exchange and manually setting the OAuthAccessToken.
  • OAuthClientId (custom applications only): The Client ID assigned when you registered your custom OAuth application.
  • OAuthClientSecret (custom applications only): The Client Secret assigned when you registered your custom OAuth application.

When you connect, the driver opens Salesforce Data Cloud's OAuth endpoint in your default browser. Log in and grant permissions to the application.

The driver then completes the OAuth process as follows:

  • Extracts the access token from the callback URL.
  • Obtains a new access token when the old one expires.
  • Saves OAuth values in OAuthSettingsLocation so that they persist across connections.
  • For other OAuth methods, including Web Applications and Headless Machines, refer to the Help documentation.

    Connect UiPath Studio to Salesforce Data Cloud Data

    Now you are ready to use Salesforce Data Cloud data ODBC DSN in UiPath Studio with the following steps.

    1. From the Start page, click Blank to create a New Project.
    2. Click Manage Packages then search for and install UiPath.Database.Activities.
    3. Navigate to the Activities and drop a Flowchart (Workflow -> Flowchart -> Flowchart) onto the process.
    4. Drop a database Connect activity (App Integration -> Datbase -> Connect) after the Start activity.
    5. Double-click the Connect activity and configure the Connection.
      1. Click the Connection Wizard
      2. Select "Microsoft ODBC Data Source"
      3. In Connection Properties, select your DSN (CData SalesforceDataCloud Source) and click OK
    6. To store Connection info, create a variable and bind to Output in the Properties section. Choose DatabaseConnection in Output.

    Create an Execute Query Activity

    With the connection configured, we are ready to query Salesforce Data Cloud data in our RPA.

    1. From the Activities navigation, select Execute Query and drop it on the Flowchart.
    2. Double-click the Execute Query activity and set the properties as follows:
      • ExistingDbConnection: Your Connection variable
      • Sql: SELECT statement like SELECT [Account ID], [Account Name] FROM Account WHERE EmployeeCount > 250
      • DataTable: Create and use a variable with the Type System.Data.DataTable

    Create Write CSV Activity

    With the Connection and Execute Query activities configured, we are ready to add a Write CSV activity to the Flowchart to replicate the Salesforce Data Cloud data.

    1. From the Activities navigation, select Write CSV and drop it after the Execute Query activity.
    2. Double-click the Write CSV activity and set the properties as follows:
      • FilePath: Set to a file (new or existing) on disk (i.e.: C:\UiPath[id]-data.csv
      • DataTable: Set to the DataTable variable you created earlier

    Connect the Activities and Run the Flowchart

    If they are not already connected, connect each Activity that you created to complete the RPA project for extracting Salesforce Data Cloud data and exporting it to CSV.

    Click Run to extract Salesforce Data Cloud data and create a CSV file.

    In this article, we used the CData ODBC Driver for Salesforce Data Cloud to create an automation flow that accesses Salesforce Data Cloud data in UiPath Studio. Download a free, 30-day trial of the ODBC Driver and start working with live Salesforce Data Cloud data in UiPath Studio today!

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Salesforce Data Cloud Icon Salesforce Data Cloud ODBC Driver

The Salesforce Data Cloud ODBC Driver is a powerful tool that allows you to connect with live data from Salesforce Data Cloud, directly from any applications that support ODBC connectivity.

Access Salesforce Data Cloud data like you would a database - read, write, and update Salesforce Data Cloud 0, etc. through a standard ODBC Driver interface.