Visualize Live Zendesk Data in Tableau

Tableau is a visual analytics platform transforming the way businesses use data to solve problems. When paired with the CData Tableau Connector for Zendesk, you can easily get access to live Zendesk data within Tableau. This article shows how to connect to Zendesk in Tableau and build a simple chart.

The CData Tableau Connectors enable high-speed access to live Zendesk data in Tableau. Once you install the connector, you simply authenticate with Zendesk and you can immediately start building responsive, dynamic visualizations and dashboards. By surfacing Zendesk data using native Tableau data types and handling complex filters, aggregations, & other operations automatically, CData Tableau Connectors grant seamless access to Zendesk data.

NOTE: The CData Tableau Connectors require Tableau 2020.3 or higher. If you are using an older version of Tableau, you will need to use the CData Tableau Connector for Zendesk. If you wish to connect to Zendesk data in Tableau Cloud, you will need to use CData Connect Cloud.

Connect to Zendesk in Tableau

Open Tableau and click More under Connect -> To a Server. Select "Zendesk by CData," then configure the connection and click "Sign In."

Connecting to Zendesk

To connect, set the URL and provide authentication. The URL is your Zendesk Support URL: https://{subdomain}.zendesk.com.

Authenticating to Zendesk

You can authenticate using the Basic or OAuth methods.

Using Basic Authentication

To use Basic authentication, specify your email address and password or your email address and an API token. Set User to your email address and follow the steps below to provide the Password or ApiToken.

• Enable password access in the Zendesk Support admin interface at Admin > Channels > API.
• Manage API tokens in the Zendesk Support Admin interface at Admin > Channels > API. More than one token can be active at the same time. Deleting a token deactivates it permanently.

Using OAuth Authentication

See the Getting Started guide in the CData driver documentation for an authentication guide.

Discover Schemas and Query Data

1. Select CData from the Database pull-down menu.
2. Select Zendesk from the Schema pull-down menu.
3. Drag the tables and views you wish to visualize onto the join area. You can include multiple tables.
4. Select Update Now or Automatically Update. Update Now lets you preview the first 10,000 rows of the data source (or enter the number of rows you want to see in the Rows text box). Automatically Update automatically reflects the changes in the preview area.
5. Click the tab for your worksheet. Columns are listed as Dimensions and Measures, depending on the data type. The CData Tableau Connector discovers data types automatically, allowing you to leverage the powerful data processing and visualization features of Tableau.
6. Drag a field from the Dimensions or Measures area to Rows or Columns. Tableau creates column or row headers.
7. Select one of the chart types from the Show Me tab. Tableau displays the chart type that you selected.

Using the CData Tableau Connector for Zendesk with Tableau, you can easily create robust visualizations and reports on Zendesk data. Download a free, 30-day trial and get started today.