Visualize Coinbase Data in Tableau Desktop (through CData Connect)

Tableau is a visual analytics platform transforming the way businesses use data to solve problems. When paired with CData Connect (or Connect Server), you can easily get access to live Coinbase data within Tableau.

CData Connect Server provides a pure SQL Server interface for Coinbase, allowing you to easily build reports from live Coinbase data in Tableau Desktop — without replicating the data to a natively supported database. As you build visualizations, Tableau Desktop generates SQL queries to gather data. Using optimized data processing out of the box, CData Connect Server pushes all supported SQL operations (filters, JOINs, etc) directly to Coinbase, leveraging server-side processing to quickly return the requested Coinbase data.

This article shows how to create a virtual SQL Server database for Coinbase, connect to the virtual database in Tableau, and build a simple chart.

Create a Virtual SQL Server Database for Coinbase Data

CData Connect Server uses a straightforward, point-and-click interface to connect to data sources and generate APIs.

1. Login to Connect Server and click Connections.
2. Select "Coinbase" from Available Data Sources.
3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to Coinbase.

   Start by setting the Profile connection property to the location of the Coinbase Profile on disk (e.g. C:\profiles\Coinbase.apip). Next, set the ProfileSettings connection property to the connection string for Coinbase (see below).

   Coinbase API Profile Settings

   Coinbase uses OAuth-based authentication.

   First you need to register an OAuth app with Coinbase. This is done from your account under 'Settings' > 'API Access' > 'New OAuth2 Application'.

   After setting the following connection properties, you are ready to connect:

   • AuthScheme: Set this to OAuth.
   • InitiateOAuth: Set this to GETANDREFRESH. You can use InitiateOAuth to manage the process to obtain the OAuthAccessToken.
   • OAuthClientId: Set this to the ClientID that is specified in you app settings.
   • OAuthClientSecret: Set this to the ClientSecret that is specified in you app settings.
   • CallbackURL: Set this to the Redirect URI you specified in your app settings.
4. Click Save Changes
5. Click Privileges -> Add and add the new user (or an existing user) with the appropriate permissions.