# Connectors, ODBC, custom SQL and Hyper API

*Tableau Consultant Study Guide · Plan and Prepare Data Connections · Last updated November 3, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-consultant/plan-and-prepare-data-connections/connectors-odbc-custom-sql-and-hyper-api*

Recommend how to connect: named connectors first, then Other Databases (ODBC or JDBC), Connector SDK .taco connectors, Web Data Connector 3.0 for web APIs, the Hyper API with the REST API for scripted extracts, browser file upload, and custom SQL only when the canvas can't do the job.

- Certification: Salesforce Tableau Consultant
- Exam section: Plan and Prepare Data Connections
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/tableau-consultant

**Official exam objective:**

> Recommend an appropriate method to connect to data, such as Web Data Connectors, web extract APIs, custom SQL, or ODBC.

## What the exam expects

- Recommend a connection method from the source: named connector, Tableau Exchange, Other Databases (ODBC) or (JDBC), a Connector SDK connector, or Web Data Connector 3.0.
- Configure ODBC for publishing: matching driver and DSN on every machine, 64-bit drivers only from Desktop 2023.3.
- Choose the Hyper API with the REST API or Tableau Server Client for extracts built by a script, and browser file upload for a one-off file.
- Decide when custom SQL is justified and explain why Tableau wraps it.
- Recognize Web Data Connector 2.0 as retired and dashboard extensions as a dashboard feature, not a data connection.

Key terms:
- **Named (native) connector:** a built-in connector optimized for its file or database type.
- **DSN:** a data source name that records the driver and settings for an ODBC connection.
- **.taco file:** a signed, packaged .jar of XML and JavaScript files that defines a Connector SDK or WDC 3.0 connector.
- **Hyper API:** Tableau's extract API for creating .hyper files programmatically.
- **Custom SQL:** a single SELECT statement used as a table in the data source.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Generic and custom connectors | Tableau gives limited support | [Connect to Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/basicconnectoverview.htm) |
| Web authoring Files tab | Uploads .xlsx, .csv, .tsv in the browser | [Connect to Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/basicconnectoverview.htm) |
| ODBC driver bitness | Desktop 2023.3+: 64-bit drivers only | [ODBC](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/examples_otherdatabases.htm) |
| Published ODBC content | Same driver and DSN on the Server computer | [ODBC](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/examples_otherdatabases.htm) |
| JDBC driver | .jar in Drivers folder; JDBC 4.0+, Type 4 | [JDBC](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/examples_otherdatabases_jdbc.htm) |
| .taco contents | Signed .jar of XML and JavaScript files | [Connector SDK](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/examples_connector_sdk.htm) |
| WDC 3.0 | Since 2022.3; extract-only; no self-hosting | [WDC 3.0](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/examples_wdc_connector_sdk.htm) |
| WDC 2.0 | Retired, no longer available | [WDC 2.0 retired](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/examples_web_data_connector.htm) |
| Scripted extracts | Extract API builds .hyper; REST API or TSC publishes | [Extract Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/extracting_data.htm) |
| Custom SQL statement | A single SELECT; Tableau wraps it | [Custom SQL](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/customsql.htm) |
| Custom SQL on Excel or text | Legacy connection only; unsupported from 2020.2 | [Custom SQL](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/customsql.htm) |

## Check yourself

- Which JDBC driver versions and types does Other Databases (JDBC) require?
- Why should credentials not be kept in an ODBC DSN without care?
- When will Tableau Support help with an Other Databases (ODBC) connection?
- Why should custom SQL columns be aliased with AS?
- What does a dashboard extension show in a Tableau Cloud subscription image?

## Sources

- [Connect to Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/basicconnectoverview.htm)
- [Other Databases (ODBC)](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/examples_otherdatabases.htm)
- [Other Databases (JDBC)](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/examples_otherdatabases_jdbc.htm)
- [Connectors Built with the Tableau Connector SDK](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/examples_connector_sdk.htm)
- [Connectors Built with the Web Data Connector 3.0 SDK](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/examples_wdc_connector_sdk.htm)
- [Web Data Connector 2.0 (retired)](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/examples_web_data_connector.htm)
- [Extract Your Data](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/extracting_data.htm)
- [Connect to a Custom SQL Query](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/customsql.htm)
- [Use Dashboard Extensions](https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/dashboard_extensions.htm)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 9 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Tableau Consultant pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams