Getting Started with the CData PowerShell Cmdlets for Salesforce Data Cloud Data

Somya Sharma
Somya Sharma
Technical Marketing Engineer
Complete guide to installing, licensing, and connecting Salesforce Data Cloud PowerShell Cmdlets.

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

  1. Open PowerShell in Administrator mode
  2. 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.
  • For other OAuth methods, including Web Applications and Headless Machines, refer to the Help documentation.

    Collecting Salesforce Data Cloud Data

    1. Install the module:

      Install-Module SalesforceDataCloudCmdlets
    2. Connect to Salesforce Data Cloud:

        $salesforcedatacloud = Connect-SalesforceDataCloud  -InitiateOAuth $InitiateOAuth
        

    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:


    Get Support

    If you need assistance:

    FAQs (PowerShell Cmdlets)

    Installation & Licensing

    • Do I need administrator rights to install the cmdlets?
    • Not always.

      • 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?
    • 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
    • Does PowerShell Cmdlets require a DSN?
    • Cmdlets do not use ODBC DSNs. All connection properties are passed directly in

      Connect-Salesforce Data Cloud

    • Can I connect through a proxy server?
    • 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?
    • Common causes:

      • Missing filters (e.g., no WHERE clause)
      • Pulling large result sets
      • Latency from cloud APIs
      • Not using incremental strategies

      Try:

      • Filtering data (-Where parameter)
      • Selecting only required columns
      • Reviewing API throttling limits for your data source

      Contact [email protected] for query optimization assistance.

    • How do I enable logging?
    • Enable module logging with:

      Set-ModuleLogging -Path "C:\logs\cdata.log" -Verbosity 3
      Upload the log file securely when working with CData Support.

    • What ports need to be open?
    • 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].

    • Can I use the cmdlets in containers (Docker, Kubernetes)?
    • 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?
    • Each cmdlet includes a Help documentation set installed locally and available online: https://www.cdata.com/powershell/.

    • How often are PowerShell Cmdlets updated?
    • CData releases major annual updates plus incremental updates throughout the year. Check your customer portal or contact [email protected] for version availability.

    • Where can I find code examples?
    • Every Cmdlet includes examples in the Help documentation, plus online examples for many services: https://www.cdata.com/powershell/. Examples include:

      • Basic queries
      • Insert/update/delete
      • OAuth flows
      • File operations
      • API integration

    For questions not covered in this FAQ, [email protected].

Ready to get started?

Download a free trial of the Salesforce Data Cloud Cmdlets to get started:

 Download Now

Learn more:

Salesforce Data Cloud Icon Salesforce Data Cloud Data Cmdlets

An easy-to-use set of PowerShell Cmdlets offering real-time access to Salesforce Data Cloud. The Cmdlets allow users to easily read, write, update, and delete live data - just like working with SQL server.