The data within an organization is usually stored in relational databases and data files. Extracting data is the first step towards creating a data model. The following section demonstrates the steps to extract data from an MS Access database and a delimited (.CSV
) file. The procedure to extract data from other relational databases is the same as the process for extracting data from MS Access.
The dataset that we will use is available publicly and covers information about routes and fares of various transport systems in Hong Kong. The original data files have been downloaded from (https://data.gov.hk/) website. This dataset can also be obtained from the Packt Publishing website.
The data connections in the Qlik Sense data load editor save shortcuts leading to commonly used data sources, such as databases and data files. The following types of connections exist in Qlik Sense:
This recipe deals with the ODBC, OLEDB, and Folder connections. The web file connection will be dealt with in a separate recipe.
The dataset required for this recipe that is downloaded from the Packt Publishing website comes in a zipped folder called as QlikSenseData
. Extract all the files from this zipped folder and save them on the hard drive at a desired location.
If you are connecting to the database using Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) then:
ROUTE_BUS.mdb
file as the Data Source from the QlikSenseData
folder.HongKong Buses
.Qlik Sense CookBook ODBC
.If you are connecting to the database using OLE DB connectivity, we can directly set this up through the editor:
ROUTE_BUS.mdb
file in the QlikSenseData
folder.QlikSense CookBook OLE DB
.If you are extracting the data from a data file, such as .CSV
, perform the following steps:
QlikSenseData
folder which contains our data files. Alternatively, one can directly enter the path of the source folder under Path.Qlik Sense CookBook Data
.If you are working with an ODBC or an OLEDB data connection, follow the steps:
ROUTE
table in the MS Access database, as shown:ROUTE_BUS.mdb
table will look like the following. The fields in the table can be excluded or renamed while working in the Preview window, as shown in the following screenshot:LIB CONNECT TO 'Qlik Sense CookBook ODBC';
statement from your script.Keep the Close when successfully finished option checked in the data load progress window. If the data is loaded successfully, then the window automatically closes or else the error encountered is highlighted.
ROUTE_GMB.csv
file from the QlikSenseData
folder and load it in the application.ROUTE_GMB.csv
table will look like the following screenshot. Make sure that you select Embedded field names under Field names. Note that the Delimiter in this case is automatically set to Comma.The LIB CONNECT TO
statement connects to a database using a stored data connection from the Qlik Sense library; thus, acting as a bridge between our application and the data source.