Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Tableau - SharePoint List Connection

SharePoint list – it is like a database table used to store the data on a SharePoint server.  SharePoint 2010 is providing new way to access the LIST data, using RESTful service i.e. ListData.svc.  With the help of this service, we can perform simple queries and joins on SharePoint Lists.

Tableau can connect to a SharePoint list using OData connection.

First, make sure ListData.svc service is up and running on SharePoint server.

Open a web browser, type the below URL and enter.
    http://<SharePointServer>/_vti_bin/ListData.svc

if ListData.svc is running, you can able to see the result in XML format like below snapshot.
   image 1 : checking ListData.svc is running or not

Now, construct the URL for OData connection as below.
http://SharePointServer/SharePoint-Site/_vti_bin/ListData.svc/LISTNAME

Example: http://win-hilgngm29og/Site2/_vti_bin/ListData.svc/OrdersList
win-hilgngm29og --> SharePoint Server Name
Site2         --> SharePoint Server Site
OrdersList         --> List name

Open Tableau Desktop --> select ‘OData’ connection option under ‘To a Server’ section.
Enter the above URL in connection dialog box, click on “SignIn”.
   image 2 : Tableau - SharePoint List connection

Happy coding!!!