Query SharePoint Data in MySQL Workbench

MySQL Workbench allows users to administer MySQL environments and gain better visibility into databases. When paired with CData Connect (on-premise or Connect Server), you get live access to SharePoint data as if it were a MySQL database. This article shows how to create a virtual database for SharePoint in Connect and work with live SharePoint data in MySQL Workbench.

Create a Virtual MySQL Database for SharePoint Data

CData Connect uses a straightforward, point-and-click interface to connect to data sources and generate APIs.

1. Login to Connect and click Connections.
2. Select "SharePoint" from Available Data Sources.
3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to SharePoint.

   Set the URL property to the base SharePoint site or to a sub-site. This allows you to query any lists and other SharePoint entities defined for the site or sub-site.

   The User and Password properties, under the Authentication section, must be set to valid SharePoint user credentials when using SharePoint On-Premise.

   If you are connecting to SharePoint Online, set the SharePointEdition to SHAREPOINTONLINE along with the User and Password connection string properties. For more details on connecting to SharePoint Online, see the "Getting Started" chapter of the help documentation

4. Click Save Changes
5. Click Privileges -> Add and add the new user (or an existing user) with the appropriate permissions.

With the virtual database created, you are ready to connect to SharePoint from MySQL Workbench.

Query SharePoint from MySQL Workbench

The steps below outline connecting to the virtual SharePoint database in Connect from MySQL Workbench and issuing basic queries to work with live SharePoint data.

Connect to SharePoint through Connect

1. In MySQL Workbench, click to add a new MySQL connection.
2. Name the connection (CData Connect).
3. Set the Hostname, Port, and Username parameters to connect to the SQL Gateway.
4. Click Store in Vault to set and store the password.
5. Click Test Connection to ensure the connection is configured properly and click OK.

Query SharePoint Data

1. Open the connection you just created (CData Connect).
2. Click File -> New Query Tab.
3. Write a SQL query to retrieve SharePoint data, like SELECT * FROM sharepointdb.MyCustomList;

With access to live SharePoint data from MySQL Workbench, you can easily query and update SharePoint, just like you would a MySQL database. Request a demo of the CData Connect and start working with SharePoint just like a MySQL database today.