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Get the Report →Build Semantic Layer Views for Workday Data in APOS Live Data Gateway
Use the CData Connector for Workday in APOS Live Data Gateway to build Semantic Layer Views for Workday data.
APOS Live Data Gateway (LDG) is a data connection and data transformation solution that enables live data connectivity and expanded data source options for SAP Analytics Cloud and other SAP solutions. When paired with CData Connectors, users can build semantic layer views for live Workday data, enabling real-time analytics on Workday just like working with a relational database.
With built-in optimized data processing, the CData Connector offers unmatched performance for interacting with live Workday data. When you issue complex SQL queries to Workday, the driver pushes supported SQL operations, like filters and aggregations, directly to Workday and utilizes the embedded SQL engine to process unsupported operations client-side (often SQL functions and JOIN operations). Its built-in dynamic metadata querying allows you to work with and analyze Workday data using native data types.
About Workday Data Integration
CData provides the easiest way to access and integrate live data from Workday. Customers use CData connectivity to:
- Access the tables and datasets you create in Prism Analytics Data Catalog, working with the native Workday data hub without compromising the fidelity of your Workday system.
- Access Workday Reports-as-a-Service to surface data from departmental datasets not available from Prism and datasets larger than Prism allows.
- Access base data objects with WQL, REST, or SOAP, getting more granular, detailed access but with the potential need for Workday admins or IT to help craft queries.
Users frequently integrate Workday with analytics tools such as Tableau, Power BI, and Excel, and leverage our tools to replicate Workday data to databases or data warehouses. Access is secured at the user level, based on the authenticated user's identity and role.
For more information on configuring Workday to work with CData, refer to our Knowledge Base articles: Comprehensive Workday Connectivity through Workday WQL and Reports-as-a-Service & Workday + CData: Connection & Integration Best Practices.
Getting Started
Download and Install the Connector Files
In order to access Workday data through the APOS Live Data Gateway, you will need to download the connector files from APOS and install them on the machine hosting the Live Data Gateway. An APOS representative can deliver the necessary files.
- Install the CData DLL file (System.Data.CData.Workday.dll) to the APOS Live Data Gateway installation directory (C:\Program Files\Live Data Gateway\Admin\ by default).
- Install the CData JAR file (cdata.jdbc.workday.jar) to the ConnectionTest_lib folder in the installation directory (C:\Program Files\Live Data Gateway\Admin\ConnectionTest_lib\ by default).
- Install the CData JAR file (cdata.jdbc.workday.jar) to the lib folder in the Web UI installation directory (e.g.: C:\LDG_WebUI\lib\)
Configuring the Workday Connection String
Before establishing the connection to Workday from the APOS Live Data Gateway, you need to configure the Workday JDBC Connection String.
Built-in Connection String Designer
For assistance in constructing the JDBC Connection String, use the connection string designer built into the Workday JDBC Driver. Either double-click the JAR file or execute the jar file from the command-line.
java -jar cdata.jdbc.workday.jar
Fill in the connection properties and copy the connection string to the clipboard.
To connect to Workday, users need to find the Tenant and BaseURL and then select their API type.
Obtaining the BaseURL and Tenant
To obtain the BaseURL and Tenant properties, log into Workday and search for "View API Clients." On this screen, you'll find the Workday REST API Endpoint, a URL that includes both the BaseURL and Tenant.
The format of the REST API Endpoint is: https://domain.com/subdirectories/mycompany, where:
- https://domain.com/subdirectories/ is the BaseURL.
- mycompany (the portion of the url after the very last slash) is the Tenant.
Using ConnectionType to Select the API
The value you use for the ConnectionType property determines which Workday API you use. See our Community Article for more information on Workday connectivity options and best practices.
API | ConnectionType Value |
---|---|
WQL | WQL |
Reports as a Service | Reports |
REST | REST |
SOAP | SOAP |
Authentication
Your method of authentication depends on which API you are using.
- WQL, Reports as a Service, REST: Use OAuth authentication.
- SOAP: Use Basic or OAuth authentication.
See the Help documentation for more information on configuring OAuth with Workday.

Your connection string will look similar to the following:
jdbc:Workday:User=myuser;Password=mypassword;Tenant=mycompany_gm1;BaseURL=https://wd3-impl-services1.workday.com;ConnectionType=WQL;
Connecting to Workday & Creating a Semantic Layer View
After installing the connector files and configuring the connection string, you are ready to connect to Workday in the Live Data Gateway Admin tool and build a semantic layer view in the Live Data Gateway Web UI.
Configuring the Connection to Workday
- Log into your APOS Live Data Gateway Manager
- If you haven't already, update your APOS LDG license file
- Click File -> Configurations
- Click on the "..." Menu for the License
- Select the license file from the APOS team that includes your CData Connector license
- In the APOS Live Data Gateway Manager, click "Add"
- In the APOS Live Data Gateway On the Connection tab, configure the connection:
- Set Data Source to "Database"
- Set Database to "CData Drivers"
- Set Database CData Drivers to "Workday"
- Set Connection String to the connection string configured earlier (e.g.:
jdbc:Workday:User=myuser;Password=mypassword;Tenant=mycompany_gm1;BaseURL=https://wd3-impl-services1.workday.com;ConnectionType=WQL;
- Set Driver Class to "cdata.jdbc.workday.WorkdayDriver" (this should be set by default)
- Click Test Connection
- Click Save
- Give your connection a unique prefix (e.g. "workday")
- Highlight the newly created connection and click File -> "Approve Users For Web UI"
- Approve the appropriate DB users to create views and click "Save"
At this point, we are ready to build our semantic layer view in the Live Data Gateway Web UI.
Creating a Semantic Layer View
- In your browser, navigate to the APOS Live Data Gateway Portal
- Select a Connection (e.g. "workday")
- Set User Name and Password to the User and Password properties for Workday.
- Click "Login"
- Once connected, click "Semantic Layer" to create a new semantic layer view
- Click "New Semantic Layer View"
- Set the Semantic Layer View Prefix and Semantic Layer View Name
- Click "Step 2"
- Select the table(s) and column(s) you wish to include in your view
- Click "Step 3"
- Select the Measures from the available table columns
- Click "Step 5" (we skipped the "Extra Dimensions" step)
- Add any Variable Prompts
- Click "Step 6"
- Define any Table Joins
- Click "Review"
- Review you semantic layer view and click "Save"
With the Semantic Layer View created, you are ready to access your Workday data through the APOS Live Data Gateway, enabling real-time data connectivity to Workday data from SAP Analytics Cloud and other SAP solutions.
More Information & Free Evaluation
Please visit APOS Systems - APOS Solutions - Request Evaluation Software to request evaluation software or email [email protected] for more information on working with your live Workday data in APOS Live Data Gateway.