StarQuest Technical Documents

Using StarSQL with Tableau

Last Update: 23 November 2016
Product: StarSQL
Version: 6.x
Article ID: SQV00SQ063

Abstract

Tableau is an interactive data visualization tool focused on business intelligence.

This technical document demonstrates how to use StarSQLfor Windows to connect Tableau to an IBM DB2 database using ODBC. This document was prepared using Tableau v10.1.1.

Solution

StarSQL for Windows v6.31 or later is required when using Tableau. Since Tableau is a 64-bit application, install and configure the 64-bit version of StarSQL.

  1. Use ODBC Administrator to create a StarSQL ODBC data source to the DB2 system.
  2. Test connectivity to the DB2 system from within ODBC Administrator.
  3. In ODBC Administrator, select the Expert panel and enter a value for UID (a userID on the DB2 system).
  4. Start the Tableau application. Choose Connect... on the launch page, or choose Data/New Data Source from within a book.
  5. On the list of possible data connectors, select More... and then Other Databases (ODBC).
  6. Choose the StarSQL data source from the dropdown menu.
  7. Enter the password for the DB2 system when prompted by Tableau.

Tableau provides documentation on customizing Tableau with 3rd party ODBC drivers:

http://kb.tableau.com/articles/knowledgebase/tableau-and-odbc

http://kb.tableau.com/articles/knowledgebase/customizing-odbc-connections

Customization involves creating a TDC file to inform Tableau of the capabilities of the ODBC driver when the results of SQLGetInfo() are insufficient, and may result in improved performance or enhanced capabilities. If you wish to create a TDC file, contact StarSQL Support for assistance.




DISCLAIMER

The information in technical documents comes without any warranty or applicability for a specific purpose. The author(s) or distributor(s) will not accept responsibility for any damage incurred directly or indirectly through use of the information contained in these documents. The instructions may need to be modified to be appropriate for the hardware and software that has been installed and configured within a particular organization.  The information in technical documents should be considered only as an example and may include information from various sources, including IBM, Microsoft, and other organizations.