> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.cloud.cdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Quick Start Guide

> Connect a data source, explore it, and use it from AI or BI tools—in minutes.

## Step 1: Sign In

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Go to [https://cloud.cdata.com/](https://cloud.cdata.com/).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Sign in with your CData account.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  No account? Click **Sign Up** for a free trial.
</Tip>

## Step 2: Connect Your First Source

### Example: Salesforce (OAuth)

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Open **Sources** > **Add Connection** > **Salesforce**.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Select **OAuth** authentication (recommended).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Provide:

    * **Client ID** and **Client Secret** from Salesforce (*Setup > App Manager > Your Connected App*).
    * **Callback URL** shown in Connect AI.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Click **Authorize** and sign in with Salesforce.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    **Test** connection, and then **Save**.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Check>
  **Done!** You can now query **Account**, **Opportunity**, **Contact**, and other objects in real time.
</Check>

### Example: Google BigQuery (OAuth)

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Open **Sources** > **Add Connection** > **Google BigQuery**.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Sign in with your Google account.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Select the project and dataset(s) to expose.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Test connection, and Save.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Check>Your BigQuery datasets are now queryable via SQL, OData, and REST.</Check>

<Tip>
  Other authentication options include Username/Password (legacy) and OAuth with Refresh Token for long-lived access.
</Tip>

## Step 3: Explore and Query Your Data

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Open **Explorer** and select your source.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Run a query:

    ```sql theme={null}
    SELECT Name, StageName, Amount
    FROM Opportunity
    WHERE CloseDate >= CURRENT_DATE - 90
    ORDER BY Amount DESC;
    ```
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Save as a **Derived View** to reuse and share.
</Tip>

## Step 4: Create Derived Views

Derived Views are saved SQL definitions you can permission like tables.

```sql theme={null}
CREATE DERIVED VIEW Sales.TopOpportunities AS
SELECT Name, StageName, Amount
FROM Opportunity
WHERE IsClosed = false AND CloseDate >= CURRENT_DATE - 90
ORDER BY Amount DESC
LIMIT 10;
```

<Tip>
  Use **Scheduled Queries** under **Jobs** to refresh cached results for heavy workloads.
</Tip>

## Step 5: Use Data in Your Tools

### Power BI (SQL Endpoint)

<Steps>
  <Step>
    Open Power BI Desktop and then select **Get Data** > **SQL Server**.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Enter your Connect AI SQL endpoint (*tds.cdata.com*).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Authenticate with your CData credentials.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Select tables or derived views and build visuals.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Excel (OData)

<Steps>
  <Step>
    In Excel, select **Data** > **Get Data** > **From Other Sources** > **From OData Feed**.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Paste your Connect AI OData endpoint (*[https://cloud.cdata.com/api/odata/\{workspace\\\_name}](https://cloud.cdata.com/api/odata/\{workspace\\_name})*).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Authenticate with your CData credentials and load data.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### Tableau (OData or SQL)

<Steps>
  <Step>
    In Tableau, select **Connect** > **OData Server** (or **SQL Server**).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Enter either the OData or SQL Server endpoint, authenticate, and start exploring.
  </Step>
</Steps>

### AI and Apps (Rest/OpenAPI)

Expose any source as a secure API for custom apps and large language models (LLMs).

* REST provides programmatic access from apps/agents:
  ```bash theme={null}
  GET https://cloud.cdata.com/api.rsc/Salesforce/Opportunity Authorization: Bearer <token>
  ```
* OData v4 is used for BI tools and pagination/filtering:
  ```bash theme={null}
  GET https://cloud.cdata.com/api/odata/Salesforce/Opportunity?$top=100&$orderby=Amount desc
  ```
* OpenAPI generates clients and validates requests:
  ```bash theme={null}
  GET https://cloud.cdata.com/api/openapi/Salesforce
  ```

## Step 6: Organize with Workspaces

<Steps>
  <Step>
    In Workspaces, **Add Workspace** and name the workspace (for example, Sales).
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Add sources and derived views needed by the team.
  </Step>

  <Step>
    Share with groups to grant access.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Step 7: Permissions by Need-to-Know

Control access at the source or workspace level.

| **Permission**       | **What it allows**                        |
| :------------------- | :---------------------------------------- |
| SELECT               | Read/query data                           |
| INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE | Write changes back (if source allows)     |
| EXECUTE              | Run procedures (such as refresh metadata) |

## Security and Best Practices

* **Rate limits**: 100 requests/user/minute.
* **IP allowlist**: Restrict access to trusted networks.
* **Logging & audit**: Enable detailed logs for governance.

## Troubleshooting

*Connection failed? Verify credentials, network/VPN, and source API status.*

* **Missing tables?** Refresh metadata on the source.
* **Slow queries?** Filter early, limit columns, and enable caching.
* **Auth errors?** Re-authorize OAuth and confirm scopes.

## Get Support

For assistance with using *Connect AI*, there are two main resources available:

* The [Status page](https://status.cdata.com/) shows the current status and incident history for the application services.
* [CData Technical Support](https://www.cdata.com/support/submit.aspx) is also accessible by clicking the **Support** link at the bottom of the dashboard.

## What’s New

See our [Release Notes](/en/ReleaseNotes) for new connectors, enhancements, and fixes.