Connect Google Analytics to Sisense Using the CData JDBC Driver
Summary: The article provides a detailed guide on connecting Google Analytics to Sisense using the CData JDBC Driver. It outlines two authentication options: using CData's embedded OAuth application for simpler setup or a custom Google OAuth application for more control. The process involves downloading and installing the driver, configuring authentication, authenticating with Google, copying OAuth settings to Sisense, and finally creating the connection in Sisense. It also highlights considerations for Google Analytics 4 and potential troubleshooting steps.
Overview
This article explains how to connect Google Analytics to Sisense using the CData JDBC Driver for Google Analytics.
You can authenticate in one of two ways:
CData embedded OAuth application — simpler setup and recommended when you do not require your own Google OAuth application.
Custom Google OAuth application — requires additional configuration but gives you control over the OAuth client credentials.
Both methods use the same general workflow: configure and authenticate the CData driver on a machine with browser access, then deploy the driver and OAuth settings to the Sisense server.
What you'll learn
By the end of this article, you will know how to:
Download and install the CData JDBC Driver for Google Analytics.
Configure Google Analytics authentication.
Generate and persist OAuth credentials.
Deploy the CData driver to a Sisense server.
Create a Google Analytics connection in Sisense.
Prerequisites
Before you begin, you should have:
Basic familiarity with the Sisense UI.
Basic knowledge of Sisense data connectors.
Access to the Sisense server or its file-management interface.
Basic familiarity with Windows or Linux file systems.
A Google account with access to the required Google Analytics property.
Authentication options
Option 1: CData embedded OAuth application
Use this option when you want the simplest setup.
CData provides OAuth credentials with the driver, so you do not need to create your own OAuth application in Google.
Option 2: Custom Google OAuth application
Use this option when you need your own Google OAuth client credentials.
This method requires:
A Google OAuth application.
An OAuth Client ID.
An OAuth Client Secret.
An authorized redirect URI.
The remaining deployment process is largely the same for both methods.
Step 1: Download and install the CData driver
Download the CData JDBC Driver for Google Analytics and install it on a machine where you can authenticate through a web browser.
After installation, locate the driver's lib directory.
macOS
Windows
Locate and open:
This opens the CData Connection String Builder.
Step 2: Configure authentication
Option 1: Use CData embedded OAuth
Configure the following properties:
The initial connection string should look similar to:
Proceed to Step 3: Authenticate with Google.
Option 2: Use a custom Google OAuth application
Configure:
The connection string should look similar to:
Configure the redirect URI
NOTE: If you don't know how to create custom Google OAuth application - check Creating a Google Application section in this article.
In your Google OAuth application, add the following Authorized Redirect URI:
Note: If you are migrating from an older Sisense native Google Analytics connector, verify whether its existing OAuth credentials can still be reused before copying values from the old connector configuration.
Step 3: Authenticate with Google
In the CData Connection String Builder:
Select Test Connection.
Your default browser opens the Google authentication page.
Sign in with the Google account that has access to the required Google Analytics property.
Grant the requested permissions.
Return to the CData Connection String Builder.
After successful authentication, CData updates the connection information with the OAuth credentials.
Select Copy to Clipboard to save the resulting connection string.
Important: Treat the resulting connection string and OAuth settings as credentials. Do not publish real access tokens, refresh tokens, client secrets, or OAuth settings in screenshots or documentation.
Step 4: Locate the OAuth settings file
CData persists the OAuth authentication information in OAuthSettings.txt.
Typical locations include:
Windows
macOS
If you cannot locate the file, explicitly configure OAuthSettingsLocation in the CData Connection String Builder and repeat the authentication process.
Step 5: Copy the OAuth settings to the Sisense server
Copy OAuthSettings.txt to a persistent location accessible by Sisense.
For example:
Windows
Linux
Make sure the Sisense service can read and write the file. CData must be able to update the OAuth settings when refreshing authentication tokens.
Step 6: Deploy the CData JDBC driver to Sisense
Copy:
to the appropriate JDBC driver directory on the Sisense server.
The exact path depends on your Sisense deployment and version.
Important: Verify the current Sisense documentation for the supported JDBC driver location before deploying the JAR. Deployment paths have changed between Sisense versions.
Step 7: Create the connection in Sisense
In Sisense, create a new Generic JDBC connection.
Configure the following fields.
Connection string
Use the connection string generated by CData and specify the location of the OAuth settings file on the Sisense server.
For example:
When using your own Google OAuth application, the connection also includes:
JDBC JARs folder
Specify the directory containing:
Driver class
Use:
Test the connection and continue to table selection once the test succeeds.
Google Analytics 4
If you are connecting to Google Analytics 4, verify the current CData connection properties for GA4.
Depending on the CData driver version, you may need properties such as:
Use the current CData documentation as the source of truth for the properties supported by your installed driver version.
Data model considerations
The CData Google Analytics schema is not identical to the schema exposed by the former Sisense native Google Analytics connector.
Tables, columns, and relationships may therefore differ.
If you are migrating an existing Sisense data model, review:
Table names.
Column names and data types.
Existing joins.
Custom SQL.
Calculated fields.
Dashboard dependencies.
You may need to modify the data model before rebuilding existing dashboards against the CData source.
Troubleshooting
Authentication opens successfully but Sisense cannot refresh the token
Verify that:
OAuthSettingsLocationpoints to the correct file.The OAuth settings file exists on the Sisense server.
Sisense has read and write access to the file.
The OAuth credentials correspond to the same Google application used during authentication.
The driver works locally but not on the Sisense server
Verify that:
The CData JAR was copied to the correct Sisense JDBC driver directory.
The configured JDBC JAR folder matches that directory.
The driver class is:
Expected Google Analytics fields are missing
The CData schema differs from the former native Sisense connector. Review the CData Google Analytics schema documentation and adjust the data model accordingly.
Conclusion
The CData JDBC Driver provides a way to connect Google Analytics to Sisense through the Generic JDBC interface.
For the simplest configuration, use CData's embedded OAuth application. Use a custom Google OAuth application when you need direct control over the OAuth client credentials.
Before deploying the connector in production, verify the connection properties, GA4 configuration, and JDBC deployment paths against the documentation for your current CData and Sisense versions.
