Connecting Tableau to FileMaker via OData

Intermediate

Set up Tableau Desktop to connect to FileMaker data using the OData connector for live or extract-based analytics.

What you'll learn

  • Configuring the Tableau OData connector for FileMaker
  • Live connection vs. extract for FileMaker OData in Tableau
  • Joining multiple FileMaker tables in Tableau
  • Optimizing data source performance with custom SQL

Tableau has an OData connector that works with FileMaker Server's OData endpoint. Like Power BI, Tableau can discover the FileMaker schema automatically via $metadata, load data into an extract, or connect in live mode (with limitations). This lesson walks through the connection setup and common configuration adjustments.

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Configure the Tableau OData connector

In Tableau Desktop: Connect > To a Server > OData. Enter the FileMaker OData service URL. For authentication, select "Username and Password" (Basic auth). Tableau fetches $metadata and shows available tables.

TEXT
// Tableau OData URL:
https://your-fm-server.example.com/fmi/odata/v4/YourDatabase

// Authentication: Username and Password
// User name: svc-tableau
// Password: (service account password)
OData Batch RequestsThe FileMaker Custom App API

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