Data sources you can access with Analytics

You can access a wide variety of file types, databases, and cloud data sources with Analytics.

The information provided below about data sources includes:

  • Access method whether you use the Data Definition Wizard or the Data Access window to access the data, or if you can use either
  • Data read method whether the resulting Analytics table reads data from an Analytics data file (.fil) or directly from the data source

    Data in a .fil file is static and must be manually updated, whereas data sources that are accessed directly are updated with the most current information each time the Analytics table is opened.

Note

The maximum record length supported by an Analytics data file (.fil) is 32 KB. Any record that exceeds 32 KB causes the import process to fail.

Using the Data Access window to access any ODBC data source

Use the Data Access window to create a connection to any ODBC-compliant data source.

The following ODBC options are available in the Data Access window:

  • ACL connectors Analytics contains a number of native data connectors to data sources such as Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, and Salesforce. See Databases and cloud data services for the entire list of native data connectors.
  • ACL DSN connectors (Bundled) contains additional data connectors provided by our data partner, CData Software.
  • Windows DSN connectors Use any Windows ODBC driver or DSN already installed or configured on your computer.
  • Other connectors Install any ODBC driver you require, and use it with the Data Access window.

Note

Certain requirements or prerequisites exist when using the Data Access window to connect to a database or a cloud data service. For more information, see Before you connect to a database or a cloud data service.

Data access by Analytics is read-only

When connecting to any data source, or importing from any data source, Analytics is strictly read-only. Analytics cannot add, update, or delete data in a data source, or modify a data source in any way. This restriction applies to all data sources accessible by Analytics: file-based data sources, databases, and cloud data services.

Analytics data files (.fil) created from imported data are also treated as read-only by Analytics. Analytics cannot alter .fil files, with the exception of refreshing the file from the data source.

.fil files are completely separate from the data source used to create them. Deleting a .fil file has no effect on the data source.

File-based data sources

Data source

Use Data Definition Wizard

Use Data Access window

Analytics table reads from

Adobe Acrobat

(.pdf)

Yes

No

Analytics data file (.fil)

ACCPAC master file

Yes

No

data source

dBASE-compatible file

(.dbf)

Yes

No

data source

Delimited text

(.csv or .txt)

Yes

Yes

Analytics data file (.fil)

Microsoft Access

(.mdb or .accdb)

Yes

Yes

Analytics data file (.fil)

Microsoft Excel

(.xls or .xlsx)

Yes

Yes

Analytics data file (.fil)

Print Image (Report)

(.txt)

Yes

No

Analytics data file (.fil)

SAP private file format/DART

(.dat)

Yes

No

Analytics data file (.fil)

XBRL

(.xml or .xbrl)

Yes

No

Analytics data file (.fil)

XML

(.xml)

Yes

No

Analytics data file (.fil)

SAP

(via Direct Link, an optional utility)

No

No

Analytics data file (.fil)

HighBond

Projects app

Yes

No

Analytics data file (.fil)

Results app

Yes

No

Analytics data file (.fil)

External Definition

AS/400 FDF

(.fdf)

Yes

No

data source

Cobol

(.cob)

Yes

No

data source

PL/1

(.txt)

Yes

No

data source

Databases and cloud data services

Use the Data Access window and Analytics data connectors to access the databases and cloud data services listed below. The imported data is saved to an Analytics data file (.fil). For more information, see Importing data using the Data Access window .

Note

You can use the Data Access window to access any ODBC-compliant data source, not just the data sources listed below. For more information, see Using the Data Access window to access any ODBC data source.

Big Data and NoSQL
ERP and CRM systems
Accounting tools
Marketing and analytics
Collaboration solutions
File and API integration
E-commerce solutions
Relational databases
Security tools
Other connectors