Getting Started with the CData PowerShell Cmdlets for Salesforce Data Cloud Data
This guide explains everything you need to get started with the Salesforce Data Cloud PowerShell Cmdlets. You'll learn how to install the cmdlets, configure your first connection, run queries, and explore next steps for working with Salesforce Data Cloud data in PowerShell.
Installation & Licensing
System Requirements
CData PowerShell Cmdlets run anywhere PowerShell runs.
Windows
- Windows 10/11
- Windows Server 2016+
- PowerShell 5.1 or PowerShell 7+
macOS & Linux
- PowerShell 7+
- No additional system libraries required
- No architecture-specific installers
Installing the Cmdlets
CData Cmdlets are delivered through the PowerShell Gallery, ensuring a simple and consistent installation process across platforms.
Installation Steps
- Open PowerShell in Administrator mode
- Run the following command to install the cmdlet module:
Install-Module SalesforceDataCloudCmdlets -Repository PSGallery -Force
This command:
- Downloads the module from the official PowerShell Gallery
- Installs it into your PowerShell environment
- Registers all cmdlets for immediate use
Module Verification
To verify installation:
Get-Module -ListAvailable "*SalesforceDataCloud*"
Licensing
The cmdlets support both trial and fully licensed activation.
Trial Licensing
Trial activation is automatic - no key is required. Once installed, you can begin using the cmdlets immediately.
Activating a Full License
If you have purchased a full license, you will receive a product key from the CData Orders Team.
Activate Your License
Run the following command:
Set-ModuleLicense ""
You should see a confirmation message indicating successful activation.
Common Licensing Questions
Can I use my license on multiple machines?
Depending on your subscription tier. Refer to your order confirmation or contact [email protected].
I lost my license key. What do I do?
Email [email protected] with your order number to have it resent.
Can I transfer my license to another machine?
Submit a license transfer request here: https://www.cdata.com/lic/transfer/.
Where can I manage my license?
Visit the CData Customer Portal: https://portal.cdata.com/.
Connection Configuration
Once the module is installed and licensed, you can establish a connection to Salesforce Data Cloud using the
Connect-Salesforce Data Cloud cmdlet
After obtaining the needed connection properties, accessing Salesforce Data Cloud data in PowerShell and preparing for replication consists of four basic steps.
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.
-
Install the module:
Install-Module SalesforceDataCloudCmdlets
-
Connect to Salesforce Data Cloud:
$salesforcedatacloud = Connect-SalesforceDataCloud -InitiateOAuth $InitiateOAuth
For other OAuth methods, including Web Applications and Headless Machines, refer to the Help documentation.
Collecting Salesforce Data Cloud Data
Querying Salesforce Data Cloud Data in PowerShell
Once connected, you can query data using standard SQL like commands.
Example Query:
$results = Select-SalesforceDataCloud `
-Connection $conn `
-Table "Account" `
-Columns "[Account ID],[Account Name]" `
-Where "[Account ID] != ''"
Display the results:
$results
You have now successfully accessed Salesforce Data Cloud data from PowerShell!
Common Issues
Authentication Failed
Solution: Verify username, password, and security token. For OAuth applications, you may need to authorize CData in your application's security settings. Contact [email protected] for authorization assistance.
Network or Proxy Issues
Solution: Confirm firewall settings and outbound access. Most cloud applications use port 443.
Cmdlet Not Found
Solution: Ensure the module is installed-
Get-Module -ListAvailable "*Salesforce Data Cloud*"
Slow Queries
Solution:
- Add filters to reduce dataset size
- Use $Limit or $Top properties where supported
- Contact [email protected] for optimization help
For additional connection troubleshooting, contact [email protected] with your specific error message.
What's Next?
Now that you have installed, licensed, and configured the PowerShell Cmdlets, here are some scenarios you can use to explore:
| PowerShell | Article Title |
|---|---|
| Piping Cmdlets | How to pipe Salesforce Data Cloud Data to CSV in PowerShell |
| Replication | PowerShell Scripting to Replicate Salesforce Data Cloud Data to MySQLl |
Get Support
If you need assistance:
- Technical Support: [email protected]
- Community Forum: CData Community Site
- Help Documentation: Installed locally and available online
FAQs (PowerShell Cmdlets)
Installation & Licensing
- Do I need administrator rights to install the cmdlets?
- Windows PowerShell 5.1 (Windows): Administrator rights are recommended, especially when installing modules for all users.
- PowerShell 7+ (Windows, macOS, Linux): You can install cmdlets for the current user without admin rights using:
Install-Module SalesforceDataCloudCmdlets -Scope CurrentUser
- Do I need to download an installer?
Not always.
CData PowerShell Cmdlets are delivered through the PowerShell Gallery. Installation is performed via:
Install-Module SalesforceDataCloudCmdlets -Repository PSGallery -Force
Connecting
- How do I connect to multiple accounts for the same data source?
Create separate connection objects-each with different authentication properties:
$conn1 = Connect-SalesforceDataCloud -User User1 -Password Pwd1
$conn2 = Connect-SalesforceDataCloud -User User2 -Password Pwd2
Cmdlets do not use ODBC DSNs. All connection properties are passed directly in
Connect-Salesforce Data Cloud
Many cmdlets support proxy properties such as:
- ProxyServer
- ProxyPort
- ProxyUser
- ProxyPassword
Refer to the data-source-specific Help documentation.
Performance & Troubleshooting
- Why are my queries slow?
- Missing filters (e.g., no WHERE clause)
- Pulling large result sets
- Latency from cloud APIs
- Not using incremental strategies
- Filtering data (-Where parameter)
- Selecting only required columns
- Reviewing API throttling limits for your data source
- How do I enable logging?
Common causes:
Try:
Contact [email protected] for query optimization assistance.
Enable module logging with:
Set-ModuleLogging -Path "C:\logs\cdata.log" -Verbosity 3Upload the log file securely when working with CData Support.
Most cloud applications (Salesforce, HubSpot, Dynamics, Google APIs, etc.) use: HTTPS (443)
If your source requires additional ports, check its specific documentation or contact [email protected].
Install PowerShell 7 in the container and install the module:
pwsh -Command "Install-Module SalesforceDataCloudCmdlets -Force"Then authenticate normally.
General
- Where can I find all supported SQL/command operations?
- How often are PowerShell Cmdlets updated?
- Where can I find code examples?
- Basic queries
- Insert/update/delete
- OAuth flows
- File operations
- API integration
Each cmdlet includes a Help documentation set installed locally and available online: https://www.cdata.com/powershell/.
CData releases major annual updates plus incremental updates throughout the year. Check your customer portal or contact [email protected] for version availability.
Every Cmdlet includes examples in the Help documentation, plus online examples for many services: https://www.cdata.com/powershell/. Examples include:
For questions not covered in this FAQ, [email protected].