Zoho Creator Connection Details

Introduction

Connector Version

This documentation is based on version 25.0.9368 of the connector.

Get Started

Zoho Creator Version Support

The connector leverages V2 of the Zoho Creator API to enable bidirectional access to Zoho Creator.

Establish a Connection

Connect to Zoho Creator

Set Region to the Top Level Domain (TLD) in the server URL.

Authenticate to Zoho Creator

Zoho Creator provides two ways to connect to data:

• To connect to your own local data via the desktop (non-browser connection), use the -supplied embedded OAuth application.
• To connect to shared data over the network (browser connection), use a custom OAuth application.

To enable this authentication from all OAuth flows (embedded or custom), you must set AuthScheme to OAuth.

The following subsections describe how to authenticate to Zoho Creator from three common authentication flows:

• Desktop: a connection to a server on the user's local machine, frequently used for testing and prototyping. Authenticated via either embedded OAuth or custom OAuth.
• Web: access to data via a shared website. Authenticated via custom OAuth only.
• Headless Server: a dedicated computer that provides services to other computers and their users, which is configured to operate without a monitor and keyboard. Authenticated via embedded OAuth or custom OAuth.

For information about how to create a custom OAuth application, and why you might want to create one even for auth flows that have embedded OAuth credentials, see Creating a Custom OAuth Application.

For a complete list of connection string properties available in Zoho Creator, see Connection.

Desktop Applications

provides an embedded OAuth application that simplifies authentication at the desktop.

You can also authenticate from the desktop via a custom OAuth application, which you configure and register at the Zoho Creator console. For further information, see Creating a Custom OAuth Application.

Before you connect, set the following variables:

• InitiateOAuth: GETANDREFRESH. Used to automatically get and refresh the OAuthAccessToken.
• Custom OAuth applications only:
  • OAuthClientId: The client ID assigned when you registered your custom OAuth application.
  • OAuthClientSecret: The client secret assigned when you registered your custom OAuth application.
  • CallbackURL: The redirect URI defined when you registered your custom OAuth application.

When you connect, the connector opens Zoho Creator's OAuth endpoint in your default browser. Log in and grant permissions to the application.

After you grant permissions to the application, the connector completes the OAuth process:

1. The connector obtains an access token from Zoho Creator and uses it to request data.
2. The OAuth values are saved in the path specified in OAuthSettingsLocation. These values persist across connections.

When the access token expires, the connector refreshes it automatically.

Automatic refresh of the OAuth access token:

To have the connector automatically refresh the OAuth access token, do the following:

1. The first time you connect to data, set the following connection parameters:
   • InitiateOAuth: REFRESH.
   • OAuthClientId: The client ID in your application settings.
   • OAuthClientSecret: The client secret in your application settings.
   • OAuthAccessToken: The access token returned by GetOAuthAccessToken.
   • OAuthSettingsLocation: The path where you want the connector to save the OAuth values, which persist across connections.
2. On subsequent data connections, set the following:
   • InitiateOAuth
   • OAuthSettingsLocation

Manual refresh of the OAuth access token:

The only value needed to manually refresh the OAUth access token is the OAuth refresh token.

1. To manually refresh the OAuthAccessToken after the ExpiresIn period (returned by GetOAuthAccessToken) has elapsed, call the RefreshOAuthAccessToken stored procedure.
2. Set the following connection properties:
   • OAuthClientId: The Client ID in your application settings.
   • OAuthClientSecret: The Client Secret in your application settings.
3. Call RefreshOAuthAccessToken with OAuthRefreshToken set to the OAuth refresh token returned by GetOAuthAccessToken.
4. After the new tokens have been retrieved, set the OAuthAccessToken property to the value returned by RefreshOAuthAccessToken. This opens a new connection.

Store the OAuth refresh token so that you can use it to manually refresh the OAuth access token after it has expired.

Create a Custom OAuth Application

Create a Custom OAuth Application

embeds OAuth Application Credentials with branding that can be used when connecting to Zoho Creator via a desktop application or a headless machine. If you want to use the embedded OAuth application, all you need to do to connect is to:

• set AuthScheme to OAuth,
• get and set the OAuthAccessToken, and
• set the necessary configuration parameters.

(For information on getting and setting the OAuthAccessToken and other configuration parameters, see the Desktop Authentication section of "Connecting to Zoho Creator".)

However, you must create a custom OAuth application to connect to Zoho Creator via the Web. And since custom OAuth applications seamlessly support all three commonly-used auth flows, you might want to create custom OAuth applications (use your own OAuth Application Credentials) for those auth flows anyway.

Custom OAuth applications are useful if you want to:

• control branding of the authentication dialog;
• control the redirect URI that the application redirects the user to after the user authenticates; or
• customize the permissions that you are requesting from the user.

Procedure

To create a custom OAuth application and also obtain the OAuthClientId,

OAuthClientSecret, and CallbackURL:

1. Navigate to accounts.zoho.com/developerconsole.
2. Click Add Client, then Server-Based Application.
3. Enter the client name, homepage URL, and redirect URL.

4. If the user will connect via either desktop or Web, set a callback URL

   • For desktop applications, set the callback URL to http://localhost:33333, or another port number of your choice.

   • For Web applications, set a callback URL to specify what page the user should land on after granting your application

     access. 5. Click Create.

Important Notes

Configuration Files and Their Paths

• All references to adding configuration files and their paths refer to files and locations on the Jitterbit agent where the connector is installed. These paths are to be adjusted as appropriate depending on the agent and the operating system. If multiple agents are used in an agent group, identical files will be required on each agent.

Advanced Features

This section details a selection of advanced features of the Zoho Creator connector.

User Defined Views

The connector supports the use of user defined views, virtual tables whose contents are decided by a pre-configured user defined query. These views are useful when you cannot directly control queries being issued to the drivers. For an overview of creating and configuring custom views, see User Defined Views.

SSL Configuration

Use SSL Configuration to adjust how connector handles TLS/SSL certificate negotiations. You can choose from various certificate formats. For further information, see the SSLServerCert property under "Connection String Options".

Proxy

To configure the connector using private agent proxy settings, select the Use Proxy Settings checkbox on the connection configuration screen.

Query Processing

The connector offloads as much of the SELECT statement processing as possible to Zoho Creator and then processes the rest of the query in memory (client-side).

For further information, see Query Processing.

Log

For an overview of configuration settings that can be used to refine logging, see Logging. Only two connection properties are required for basic logging, but there are numerous features that support more refined logging, which enables you to use the LogModules connection property to specify subsets of information to be logged.

User Defined Views

The Zoho Creator connector supports the use of user defined views: user-defined virtual tables whose contents are decided by a preconfigured query. User defined views are useful in situations where you cannot directly control the query being issued to the driver; for example, when using the driver from Jitterbit.

Use a user defined view to define predicates that are always applied. If you specify additional predicates in the query to the view, they are combined with the query already defined as part of the view.

There are two ways to create user defined views:

• Create a JSON-formatted configuration file defining the views you want.
• DDL statements.

Define Views Using a Configuration File

User defined views are defined in a JSON-formatted configuration file called UserDefinedViews.json. The connector automatically detects the views specified in this file.

You can also have multiple view definitions and control them using the UserDefinedViews connection property. When you use this property, only the specified views are seen by the connector.

This user defined view configuration file is formatted so that each root element defines the name of a view, and includes a child element, called query, which contains the custom SQL query for the view.

For example:

{
    "MyView": {
        "query": "SELECT * FROM [].[Employee Management].Leave_Types WHERE MyColumn = 'value'"
    },
    "MyView2": {
        "query": "SELECT * FROM MyTable WHERE Id IN (1,2,3)"
    }
}

Use the UserDefinedViews connection property to specify the location of your JSON configuration file. For example:

"UserDefinedViews", "C:\Users\yourusername\Desktop\tmp\UserDefinedViews.json"

Define Views Using DDL Statements

The connector is also capable of creating and altering the schema via DDL Statements such as CREATE LOCAL VIEW, ALTER LOCAL VIEW, and DROP LOCAL VIEW.

Create a View

To create a new view using DDL statements, provide the view name and query as follows:

CREATE LOCAL VIEW [MyViewName] AS SELECT * FROM Customers LIMIT 20;

If no JSON file exists, the above code creates one. The view is then created in the JSON configuration file and is now discoverable. The JSON file location is specified by the UserDefinedViews connection property.

Alter a View

To alter an existing view, provide the name of an existing view alongside the new query you would like to use instead:

ALTER LOCAL VIEW [MyViewName] AS SELECT * FROM Customers WHERE TimeModified > '3/1/2020';

The view is then updated in the JSON configuration file.

Drop a View

To drop an existing view, provide the name of an existing schema alongside the new query you would like to use instead.

DROP LOCAL VIEW [MyViewName]

This removes the view from the JSON configuration file. It can no longer be queried.

Schema for User Defined Views

In order to avoid a view's name clashing with an actual entity in the data model, user defined views are exposed in the UserViews schema by default. To change the name of the schema used for UserViews, reset the UserViewsSchemaName property.

Work with User Defined Views

For example, a SQL statement with a user defined view called UserViews.RCustomers only lists customers in Raleigh:

SELECT * FROM Customers WHERE City = 'Raleigh';

An example of a query to the driver:

SELECT * FROM UserViews.RCustomers WHERE Status = 'Active';

Resulting in the effective query to the source:

SELECT * FROM Customers WHERE City = 'Raleigh' AND Status = 'Active';

That is a very simple example of a query to a user defined view that is effectively a combination of the view query and the view definition. It is possible to compose these queries in much more complex patterns. All SQL operations are allowed in both queries and are combined when appropriate.

SSL Configuration

Customize the SSL Configuration

By default, the connector attempts to negotiate TLS with the server. The server certificate is validated against the default system trusted certificate store. You can override how the certificate gets validated using the SSLServerCert connection property.

To specify another certificate, see the SSLServerCert connection property.

Data Model

Discovering Schemas

The Zoho Creator connector dynamically obtains the Zoho Creator Schemas. Reconnect to pick any metadata changes, such as added or removed columns or changes in data type.

Key Features

• The connector models Zoho Creator entities like documents, folders, and groups as relational views, allowing you to write SQL to query Zoho Creator data.
• Stored procedures allow you to execute operations to Zoho Creator
• Live connectivity to these objects means any changes to your Zoho Creator account are immediately reflected when using the connector.

Tables

Tables and Views will obtained dynamically from Zoho Creator.

Stored Procedures

Stored Procedures are function-like interfaces to Zoho Creator. Stored procedures allow you to execute operations to Zoho Creator, including downloading documents and moving envelopes.

Stored Procedures

Stored procedures are function-like interfaces that extend the functionality of the connector beyond simple SELECT/INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE operations with Zoho Creator.

Stored procedures accept a list of parameters, perform their intended function, and then return any relevant response data from Zoho Creator, along with an indication of whether the procedure succeeded or failed.

Zoho Creator Connector Stored Procedures

CreateSchema

Creates a schema definition of a table in ZohoCreator.

CreateSchema

Creates a local schema file (.rsd) from an existing table or view in the data model.

The schema file is created in the directory set in the Location connection property when this procedure is executed. You can edit the file to include or exclude columns, rename columns, or adjust column datatypes.

The connector checks the Location to determine if the names of any .rsd files match a table or view in the data model. If there is a duplicate, the schema file will take precedence over the default instance of this table in the data model. If a schema file is present in Location that does not match an existing table or view, a new table or view entry is added to the data model of the connector.

Input

Result Set Columns

DownloadFile

To Download a File.

Input

Result Set Columns

DownloadFileFromSubForm

To Download a File from a SubForm.

Input

Result Set Columns

GetOAuthAccessToken

Gets an authentication token from ZohoCreator.

Input

Result Set Columns

GetOAuthAuthorizationURL

Gets the authorization URL that must be opened separately by the user to grant access to your application. Only needed when developing Web apps. You will request the OAuthAccessToken from this URL.

Input

Result Set Columns

RefreshOAuthAccessToken

Refreshes the OAuth access token used for authentication with ZohoCreator.

Input

Result Set Columns

UploadFile

Uploads any file

Input

Result Set Columns

System Tables

You can query the system tables described in this section to access schema information, information on data source functionality, and batch operation statistics.

Schema Tables

The following tables return database metadata for Zoho Creator:

• sys_catalogs: Lists the available databases.
• sys_schemas: Lists the available schemas.
• sys_tables: Lists the available tables and views.
• sys_tablecolumns: Describes the columns of the available tables and views.
• sys_procedures: Describes the available stored procedures.
• sys_procedureparameters: Describes stored procedure parameters.
• sys_keycolumns: Describes the primary and foreign keys.
• sys_indexes: Describes the available indexes.

Data Source Tables

The following tables return information about how to connect to and query the data source:

• sys_connection_props: Returns information on the available connection properties.
• sys_sqlinfo: Describes the SELECT queries that the connector can offload to the data source.

Query Information Tables

The following table returns query statistics for data modification queries:

• sys_identity: Returns information about batch operations or single updates.

sys_catalogs

Lists the available databases.

The following query retrieves all databases determined by the connection string:

SELECT * FROM sys_catalogs

Columns

sys_schemas

Lists the available schemas.

The following query retrieves all available schemas:

SELECT * FROM sys_schemas

Columns

sys_tables

Lists the available tables.

The following query retrieves the available tables and views:

SELECT * FROM sys_tables

Columns

sys_tablecolumns

Describes the columns of the available tables and views.

The following query returns the columns and data types for the [].[Employee Management].Leave_Types table:

SELECT ColumnName, DataTypeName FROM sys_tablecolumns WHERE TableName='Leave_Types' AND CatalogName='' AND SchemaName='Employee Management'

Columns

sys_procedures

Lists the available stored procedures.

The following query retrieves the available stored procedures:

SELECT * FROM sys_procedures

Columns

sys_procedureparameters

Describes stored procedure parameters.

The following query returns information about all of the input parameters for the UploadFile stored procedure:

SELECT * FROM sys_procedureparameters WHERE ProcedureName = 'UploadFile' AND Direction = 1 OR Direction = 2

To include result set columns in addition to the parameters, set the IncludeResultColumns pseudo column to True:

SELECT * FROM sys_procedureparameters WHERE ProcedureName = 'UploadFile' AND IncludeResultColumns='True'

Columns

Pseudo-Columns

sys_keycolumns

Describes the primary and foreign keys.

The following query retrieves the primary key for the [].[Employee Management].Leave_Types table:

SELECT * FROM sys_keycolumns WHERE IsKey='True' AND TableName='Leave_Types' AND CatalogName='' AND SchemaName='Employee Management'

Columns

sys_foreignkeys

Describes the foreign keys.

The following query retrieves all foreign keys which refer to other tables:

SELECT * FROM sys_foreignkeys WHERE ForeignKeyType = 'FOREIGNKEY_TYPE_IMPORT'

Columns

sys_primarykeys

Describes the primary keys.

The following query retrieves the primary keys from all tables and views:

SELECT * FROM sys_primarykeys

Columns

sys_indexes

Describes the available indexes. By filtering on indexes, you can write more selective queries with faster query response times.

The following query retrieves all indexes that are not primary keys:

SELECT * FROM sys_indexes WHERE IsPrimary='false'

Columns

sys_connection_props

Returns information on the available connection properties and those set in the connection string.

The following query retrieves all connection properties that have been set in the connection string or set through a default value:

SELECT * FROM sys_connection_props WHERE Value <> ''

Columns

sys_sqlinfo

Describes the SELECT query processing that the connector can offload to the data source.

Discovering the Data Source's SELECT Capabilities

Below is an example data set of SQL capabilities. Some aspects of SELECT functionality are returned in a comma-separated list if supported; otherwise, the column contains NO.

The following query retrieves the operators that can be used in the WHERE clause:

SELECT * FROM sys_sqlinfo WHERE Name = 'SUPPORTED_OPERATORS'

Note that individual tables may have different limitations or requirements on the WHERE clause; refer to the Data Model section for more information.

Columns

sys_identity

Returns information about attempted modifications.

The following query retrieves the Ids of the modified rows in a batch operation:

SELECT * FROM sys_identity

Columns

sys_information

Describes the available system information.

The following query retrieves all columns:

SELECT * FROM sys_information

Columns

Advanced Configurations Properties

The advanced configurations properties are the various options that can be used to establish a connection. This section provides a complete list of the options you can configure. Click the links for further details.

OAuth

Connection

SSL

Schema

Miscellaneous

OAuth

This section provides a complete list of OAuth properties you can configure.

InitiateOAuth

Specifies the process for obtaining or refreshing the OAuth access token, which maintains user access while an authenticated, authorized user is working.

Possible Values

OFF, REFRESH, GETANDREFRESH

Data Type

string

Default Value

OFF

Remarks

OAuth is an authorization framework that enables applications to obtain limited access to user accounts on an HTTP service. The OAuth flow defines the method to be used for logging in users, exchanging their credentials for an OAuth access token to be used for authentication, and providing limited access to applications.

Zoho Creator supports the following options for initiating OAuth access:

1. OFF: No automatic OAuth flow initiation. The OAuth flow is handled entirely by the user, who will take action to obtain their OAuthAccessToken. Note that with this setting the user must refresh the token manually and reconnect with an updated OAuthAccessToken property when the current token expires.
2. GETANDREFRESH: The OAuth flow is handled entirely by the connector. If a token already exists, it is refreshed when necessary. If no token currently exists, it will be obtained by prompting the user to login.
3. REFRESH: The user handles obtaining the OAuth Access Token and sets up the sequence for refreshing the OAuth Access Token. (The user is never prompted to log in to authenticate. After the user logs in, the connector handles the refresh of the OAuth Access Token.

OAuthClientId

Specifies the client ID (also known as the consumer key) assigned to your custom OAuth application. This ID is required to identify the application to the OAuth authorization server during authentication.

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

Remarks

This property is required when using a custom OAuth application, such as in web-based authentication flows, service-based authentication, or certificate-based flows that require application registration. It is also required if an embedded OAuth application is not available for the driver. When an embedded OAuth application is available, this value may already be provided by the connector and not require manual entry.

This value is generally used alongside other OAuth-related properties such as OAuthClientSecret and OAuthSettingsLocation when configuring an authenticated connection.

OAuthClientId is one of the key connection parameters that need to be set before users can authenticate via OAuth. You can typically find this value in your identity provider’s application registration settings. Look for a field labeled Client ID, Application ID, or Consumer Key.

While the client ID is not considered a confidential value like a client secret, it is still part of your application's identity and should be handled carefully. Avoid exposing it in public repositories or shared configuration files.

OAuthClientSecret

Specifies the client secret assigned to your custom OAuth application. This confidential value is used to authenticate the application to the OAuth authorization server.

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

Remarks

This property is required when using a custom OAuth application in any flow that requires secure client authentication, such as web-based OAuth, service-based connections, or certificate-based authorization flows. It is not required when using an embedded OAuth application.

The client secret is used during the token exchange step of the OAuth flow, when the driver requests an access token from the authorization server. If this value is missing or incorrect, authentication will fail, and the server may return an invalid_client or unauthorized_client error.

OAuthClientSecret is one of the key connection parameters that need to be set before users can authenticate via OAuth. You can obtain this value from your identity provider when registering the OAuth application. It may be referred to as the client secret, application secret, or consumer secret.

This value should be stored securely and never exposed in public repositories, scripts, or unsecured environments. Client secrets may also expire after a set period. Be sure to monitor expiration dates and rotate secrets as needed to maintain uninterrupted access.

OAuthAccessToken

Specifies the OAuth access token used to authenticate requests to the data source. This token is issued by the authorization server after a successful OAuth exchange.

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

Remarks

The OAuthAccessToken is a temporary credential that authorizes access to protected resources. It is typically returned by the identity provider after the user or client application completes an OAuth authentication flow. This property is most commonly used in automated workflows or custom OAuth implementations where you want to manage token handling outside of the driver.

The OAuth access token has a server-dependent timeout, limiting user access. This is set using the OAuthExpiresIn property. However, it can be reissued between requests to keep access alive as long as the user keeps working.

If InitiateOAuth is set to REFRESH, we recommend that you also set both OAuthExpiresIn and OAuthTokenTimestamp. The connector uses these properties to determine when the token expires so it can refresh most efficiently. If OAuthExpiresIn and OAuthTokenTimestamp are not specified, the connector refreshes the token immediately.

Access tokens should be treated as sensitive credentials and stored securely. Avoid exposing them in logs, scripts, or configuration files that are not access-controlled.

OAuthSettingsLocation

Specifies the location of the settings file where OAuth values are saved. Storing OAuth settings in a central location avoids the need for users to enter OAuth connection properties manually each time they log in. It also enables credentials to be shared across connections or processes.

Data Type

string

Default Value

%APPDATA%\ZohoCreator Data Provider\OAuthSettings.txt

Remarks

You can store OAuth values in a central file for shared access to those values, in either of the following ways:

• Set InitiateOAuth to either GETANDREFRESH or REFRESH and specify a filepath to the OAuth settings file.
• Use memory storage to load the credentials into static memory.

The following sections provide more detail on each of these methods.

Specifying the OAuthSettingsLocation Filepath

The default OAuth setting location is %APPDATA%\ZohoCreator Data Provider\OAuthSettings.txt, with %APPDATA% set to the user's configuration directory.

Default values vary, depending on the user's operating system.

• Windows (ODBC and Power BI): registry://%DSN%
• Windows: %APPDATA%ZohoCreator Data Provider\OAuthSettings.txt
• Mac: %APPDATA%//ZohoCreator Data Provider/OAuthSettings.txt
• Linux: %APPDATA%//ZohoCreator Data Provider/OAuthSettings.txt

Loading Credentials Via Memory Storage

Memory locations are specified by using a value starting with memory://, followed by a unique identifier for that set of credentials (for example, memory://user1). The identifier can be anything you choose, but it should be unique to the user.

Unlike file-based storage, where credentials persist across connections, memory storage loads the credentials into static memory and the credentials are shared between connections using the same identifier for the life of the process. To persist credentials outside the current process, you must manually store the credentials prior to closing the connection. This enables you to set them in the connection when the process is started again.

To retrieve OAuth property values, query the sys_connection_props system table. If there are multiple connections using the same credentials, the properties are read from the previously closed connection.

Supported Storage Types

• memory://: Stores OAuth tokens in-memory (unique identifier, shared within same process, etc.)
• registry://: Only supported in the Windows ODBC and Power BI editions. Stores OAuth tokens in the registry under the DSN settings. Must end in a DSN name like registry://Zoho Creator connector Data Source, or registry://%DSN%.
• %DSN%: The name of the DSN you are connecting with.
• Default (no prefix): Stores OAuth tokens within files. The value can be either an absolute path, or a path starting with %APPDATA% or %PROGRAMFILES%.

CallbackURL

Identifies the URL users return to after authenticating to Zoho Creator via OAuth. (Custom OAuth applications only.).

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

Remarks

If you created a custom OAuth application, the OAuth authorization server redirects the user to this URL during the authentication process. This value must match the callback URL you specified when you Configured the custom OAuth application.

Scope

Specifies the scope of the authenticating user's access to the application. Generally specified at the time the custom OAuth application is created (if necessary), so that the authenticating user can obtain the the level of access appropriate to their credentials.

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

Remarks

Scopes are set to define what kind of access the authenticating user will have; for example, read, read and write, restricted access to sensitive information. System administrators can use scopes to selectively enable access by functionality or security clearance.

When InitiateOAuth is set to GETANDREFRESH, you must use this property if you want to change which scopes are requested. When InitiateOAuth is set to either REFRESH or OFF, you can use either this property or the Scope input to change which scopes are requested.

OAuthVerifier

Specifies a verifier code returned from the OAuthAuthorizationURL. Used when authenticating to OAuth on a headless server, where a browser can't be launched. Requires both OAuthSettingsLocation and OAuthVerifier to be set.

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

OAuthRefreshToken

Specifies the OAuth refresh token used to request a new access token after the original has expired.

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

Remarks

The refresh token is used to obtain a new access token when the current one expires. It enables seamless authentication for long-running or automated workflows without requiring the user to log in again. This property is especially important in headless, CI/CD, or server-based environments where interactive authentication is not possible.

The refresh token is typically obtained during the initial OAuth exchange by calling the GetOAuthAccessToken stored procedure. After that, it can be set using this property to enable automatic token refresh, or passed to the RefreshOAuthAccessToken stored procedure if you prefer to manage the refresh manually.

When InitiateOAuth is set to REFRESH, the driver uses this token to retrieve a new access token automatically. After the first refresh, the driver saves updated tokens in the location defined by OAuthSettingsLocation, and uses those values for subsequent connections.

The OAuthRefreshToken should be handled securely and stored in a trusted location. Like access tokens, refresh tokens can expire or be revoked depending on the identity provider’s policies.

OAuthExpiresIn

Specifies the duration in seconds, of an OAuth Access Token's lifetime. The token can be reissued to keep access alive as long as the user keeps working.

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

Remarks

The OAuth Access Token is assigned to an authenticated user, granting that user access to the network for a specified period of time. The access token is used in place of the user's login ID and password, which stay on the server.

An access token created by the server is only valid for a limited time. OAuthExpiresIn is the number of seconds the token is valid from when it was created. For example, a token generated at 2024-01-29 20:00:00 UTC that expires at 2024-01-29 21:00:00 UTC (an hour later) would have an OAuthExpiresIn value of 3600, no matter what the current time is.

To determine how long the user has before the Access Token will expire, use OAuthTokenTimestamp.

OAuthTokenTimestamp

Displays a Unix epoch timestamp in milliseconds that shows how long ago the current Access Token was created.

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

Remarks

The OAuth Access Token is assigned to an authenticated user, granting that user access to the network for a specified period of time. The access token is used in place of the user's login ID and password, which stay on the server.

An access token created by the server is only valid for a limited time. OAuthTokenTimestamp is the Unix timestamp when the server created the token. For example, OAuthTokenTimestamp=1706558400 indicates the OAuthAccessToken was generated by the server at 2024-01-29 20:00:00 UTC.

Connection

This section provides a complete list of connection properties you can configure.

ReportFormRelations

The mapping of the reports and forms in the application.

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

Remarks

The value can be in the format - ReportFormRelations="MyReport1=Form1;MyReport2=Form2,Form3;". Only mapped reports will support Insert, Update and Delete. Other reports will be read-only views.

Region

The Top Level Domain (TLD) in the server URL.

Possible Values

US, Europe, India, Australia, Japan, China, Canada, SA

Data Type

string

Default Value

US

Remarks

If your account resides in a domain other than the US, then change the Region accordingly. You only need to supply this when using your own OAuth access token with InitiateOAuth=Off. Otherwise, the Region will be retrieved from the OAuth flow. This table lists all possible values:

SSL

This section provides a complete list of SSL properties you can configure.

SSLServerCert

Specifies the certificate to be accepted from the server when connecting using TLS/SSL.

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

Remarks

If using a TLS/SSL connection, this property can be used to specify the TLS/SSL certificate to be accepted from the server. Any other certificate that is not trusted by the machine is rejected.

This property can take the following forms:

If not specified, any certificate trusted by the machine is accepted.

Certificates are validated as trusted by the machine based on the System's trust store. The trust store used is the 'javax.net.ssl.trustStore' value specified for the system. If no value is specified for this property, Java's default trust store is used (for example, JAVA_HOME\lib\security\cacerts).

Use '*' to signify to accept all certificates. Note that this is not recommended due to security concerns.

Schema

This section provides a complete list of schema properties you can configure.

Location

Specifies the location of a directory containing schema files that define tables, views, and stored procedures. Depending on your service's requirements, this may be expressed as either an absolute path or a relative path.

Data Type

string

Default Value

%APPDATA%\ZohoCreator Data Provider\Schema

Remarks

The Location property is only needed if you want to either customize definitions (for example, change a column name, ignore a column, etc.) or extend the data model with new tables, views, or stored procedures.

If left unspecified, the default location is %APPDATA%\ZohoCreator Data Provider\Schema, where %APPDATA% is set to the user's configuration directory:

BrowsableSchemas

Optional setting that restricts the schemas reported to a subset of all available schemas. For example, BrowsableSchemas=SchemaA,SchemaB,SchemaC.

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

Remarks

Listing all available database schemas can take extra time, thus degrading performance. Providing a list of schemas in the connection string saves time and improves performance.

Tables

Optional setting that restricts the tables reported to a subset of all available tables. For example, Tables=TableA,TableB,TableC.

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

Remarks

Listing all available tables from some databases can take extra time, thus degrading performance. Providing a list of tables in the connection string saves time and improves performance.

If there are lots of tables available and you already know which ones you want to work with, you can use this property to restrict your viewing to only those tables. To do this, specify the tables you want in a comma-separated list. Each table should be a valid SQL identifier with any special characters escaped using square brackets, double-quotes or backticks. For example, Tables=TableA,[TableB/WithSlash],WithCatalog.WithSchema.`TableC With Space`.

Views

Optional setting that restricts the views reported to a subset of the available tables. For example, Views=ViewA,ViewB,ViewC.

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

Remarks

Listing all available views from some databases can take extra time, thus degrading performance. Providing a list of views in the connection string saves time and improves performance.

If there are lots of views available and you already know which ones you want to work with, you can use this property to restrict your viewing to only those views. To do this, specify the views you want in a comma-separated list. Each view should be a valid SQL identifier with any special characters escaped using square brackets, double-quotes or backticks. For example, Views=ViewA,[ViewB/WithSlash],WithCatalog.WithSchema.`ViewC With Space`.

Schema

Specify the application name to connect with.

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

Remarks

Set this property to the Application Name to connect with.

Miscellaneous

This section provides a complete list of miscellaneous properties you can configure.

MaxRows

Specifies the maximum rows returned for queries without aggregation or GROUP BY.

Data Type

int

Default Value

-1

Remarks

This property sets an upper limit on the number of rows the connector returns for queries that do not include aggregation or GROUP BY clauses. This limit ensures that queries do not return excessively large result sets by default.

When a query includes a LIMIT clause, the value specified in the query takes precedence over the MaxRows setting. If MaxRows is set to "-1", no row limit is enforced unless a LIMIT clause is explicitly included in the query.

This property is useful for optimizing performance and preventing excessive resource consumption when executing queries that could otherwise return very large datasets.

Other

Specifies additional hidden properties for specific use cases. These are not required for typical provider functionality. Use a semicolon-separated list to define multiple properties.

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

Remarks

This property allows advanced users to configure hidden properties for specialized scenarios. These settings are not required for normal use cases but can address unique requirements or provide additional functionality. Multiple properties can be defined in a semicolon-separated list.

Specify multiple properties in a semicolon-separated list.

Integration and Formatting

PseudoColumns

Specifies the pseudocolumns to expose as table columns. Use the format 'TableName=ColumnName;TableName=ColumnName'. The default is an empty string, which disables this property.

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

Remarks

This property allows you to define which pseudocolumns the connector exposes as table columns.

To specify individual pseudocolumns, use the following format: "Table1=Column1;Table1=Column2;Table2=Column3"

To include all pseudocolumns for all tables use: "*=*"

RowScanDepth

The maximum number of rows to scan to look for the columns available in a table.

Data Type

int

Default Value

100

Remarks

The columns in a table must be determined by scanning table rows. This value determines the maximum number of rows that will be scanned.

Setting a high value may decrease performance. Setting a low value may prevent the data type from being determined properly, especially when there is null data.

ShowHiddenColumns

If True, shows hidden columns in query results. If False, all hidden columns are removed from the column listing.

Data Type

bool

Default Value

true

Remarks

If True, shows hidden columns in query results. If False, all hidden columns are removed from the column listing.

Timeout

Specifies the maximum time, in seconds, that the provider waits for a server response before throwing a timeout error. The default is 60 seconds. Set to 0 to disable the timeout.

Data Type

int

Default Value

60

Remarks

This property controls the maximum time, in seconds, that the connector waits for an operation to complete before canceling it. If the timeout period expires before the operation finishes, the connector cancels the operation and throws an exception.

The timeout applies to each individual communication with the server rather than the entire query or operation. For example, a query could continue running beyond the timeout value if each paging call completes within the timeout limit.

Setting this property to 0 disables the timeout, allowing operations to run indefinitely until they succeed or fail due to other conditions such as server-side timeouts, network interruptions, or resource limits on the server. Use this property cautiously to avoid long-running operations that could degrade performance or result in unresponsive behavior.

UserDefinedViews

Specifies a filepath to a JSON configuration file defining custom views. The provider automatically detects and uses the views specified in this file.

Data Type

string

Default Value

""

Remarks

This property allows you to define and manage custom views through a JSON-formatted configuration file called UserDefinedViews.json. These views are automatically recognized by the connector and enable you to execute custom SQL queries as if they were standard database views. The JSON file defines each view as a root element with a child element called "query", which contains the SQL query for the view. For example:

{
    "MyView": {
        "query": "SELECT * FROM [].[Employee Management].Leave_Types WHERE MyColumn = 'value'"
    },
    "MyView2": {
        "query": "SELECT * FROM MyTable WHERE Id IN (1,2,3)"
    }

}

You can define multiple views in a single file and specify the filepath using this property. For example: UserDefinedViews=C:\Path\To\UserDefinedViews.json. When you use this property, only the specified views are seen by the connector.

Refer to User Defined Views for more information.