Query FreshBooks Data in MySQL Workbench

MySQL Workbench allows users to administer MySQL environments and gain better visibility into databases. When paired with CData Connect (on-premise or Connect Server), you get live access to FreshBooks data as if it were a MySQL database. This article shows how to create a virtual database for FreshBooks in Connect and work with live FreshBooks data in MySQL Workbench.

Create a Virtual MySQL Database for FreshBooks Data

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

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

   To connect to FreshBooks, you can set the CompanyName and Token connection properties. Alternatively, you can use the OAuth authentication standard.

   OAuth can be used to enable other users to access their own company data. To authenticate using OAuth, you will need to obtain the OAuthClientId and OAuthClientSecret by registering an app. See the "Getting Started" chapter of the help documentation for a guide to using OAuth.

4. Click Save Changes
5. Click Privileges -> Add and add the new user (or an existing user) with the appropriate permissions.

With the virtual database created, you are ready to connect to FreshBooks from MySQL Workbench.

Query FreshBooks from MySQL Workbench

The steps below outline connecting to the virtual FreshBooks database in Connect from MySQL Workbench and issuing basic queries to work with live FreshBooks data.

Connect to FreshBooks through Connect

1. In MySQL Workbench, click to add a new MySQL connection.
2. Name the connection (CData Connect).
3. Set the Hostname, Port, and Username parameters to connect to the SQL Gateway.
4. Click Store in Vault to set and store the password.
5. Click Test Connection to ensure the connection is configured properly and click OK.

Query FreshBooks Data

1. Open the connection you just created (CData Connect).
2. Click File -> New Query Tab.
3. Write a SQL query to retrieve FreshBooks data, like SELECT * FROM freshbooksdb.Clients;

With access to live FreshBooks data from MySQL Workbench, you can easily query and update FreshBooks, just like you would a MySQL database. Request a demo of the CData Connect and start working with FreshBooks just like a MySQL database today.