Connections in Zoho DataPrep

Connections


Zoho DataPrep saves your data connections to avoid hassles in keying them often. You can manage your connections from the Connection tab under the Settings page. The connections page shows the list of all the connections used across all the workspaces in your organization, along with the type and created time.

You can also quickly sort your connections based on the connections and created time using the respective sort icon located at the top of the table header.

 Data connection options   

You can perform the following actions on data connections:
  1. Connection overview
  2. Share connection
  3. Remove connection

 

 Connection overview   

The Connection overview displays the basic details of data connections, such as created by which user, created on which date, last modified date, shared with which users, the usage details, the connection type, and more.

 

To view the connection overview

 

1. Choose Connections from the left pane in the Settings page.

 

2. Click the info icon next to the connection name to view the Connection overview.

 

3. The Connection overview pane will slide open on the right-hand side of the page.


 

4. You can also share the connections by clicking the Share connection link. Click here to know more about how to share a connection.


NotesNote: You can use the Edit option under the shared details to make changes or remove a user from accessing the connections when needed.


 

6. The usage details, such as the dataset name that uses the connection, a tag to indicate whether the connection is being used to import or export the dataset, and the workspace name within which the dataset is available, are displayed under the Usage details section.

Notes
Note: You can also remove your connection using the delete icon in the connection overview pane.

 

Share Connection   

DataPrep allows you to share connection details and connection as an entity with other users.
 
To share data connection with individual users and groups
 
1. Choose Connections from the left pane in the Settings page.
 
2. Click the share icon located on each data connection.

Note: You can use the checkboxes to the left of the connections names to multi-select and share multiple data connections at one go.


3. The Share connection pane opens on the right-hand side of the page.

 

4. Provide the email address(es) in the Enter user email or user group name text box.
 
5. You can also add the existing users or groups in your contacts by clicking the Pick users/groups option from the top right corner of the sharing panel.

6. Search for the user name or group name in the contact list and click the icon to add them.

NotesNote: Entering a user name or group name under the Enter the user email or group name box will show a list of matching contacts or groups for you to choose from.


 

5. The Send email notification to users check box is selected automatically to notify the users. However, you can modify the selection.
 
6. Click the Share button and share the connection with the required users. The connections have been successfully shared. You can also use the Edit option under Shared details to make changes or remove a user or group from accessing the connections when needed.


 

7. Once the connection is shared, the details are displayed in the Shared details box.
 

 Remove connection  

Zoho DataPrep allows you to remove or delete a data connection.
 
To remove a connection
 
1. Choose Connections from the left pane in the Settings page.
 
2. Click the delete icon located on each data connection.

 

 

 

Notes
Note: You can remove a connection only when there are no datasets associated with the connections.

 

Info
Info: You can also manage your saved data connections from the data import screen. Click the ellipses icon to share, edit, view the connection overview, or remove the connection.

FAQs

1. How to re-authenticate a connection?

In Zoho DataPrep, schedule or other runs may fail if there is a need to re-authenticate. Taking over a schedule of a user who is no longer part of the organization or inactive is called Re-authentication. A schedule needs to be re-authenticated if any of the following conditions are true:
  1. A user who has configured a schedule is removed from the organization
  2. A user who has configured a schedule is inactive
  3. A connection used is either deleted or no longer with the user.
When editing a schedule fails throwing the below error, you can follow the below steps to re-authenticate your schedule.


You can click the the Re-authenticate option from any of the following places:

1. In the pipeline builder, right click the data source icon and choose the Datasource details option or click the data source icon once to view the data source details. The Re-authenticate option appears on the Datasource details that has failed either because the schedule creator is deactivated or removed from the organization, or the connection used is deleted or no longer shared with the user.



2. In the pipeline builder, open the studio page of the required dataset and click the Ruleset icon  and then click the Data source configuration icon. The Re-authenticate option appears on the Data source details that has failed either because the schedule creator is deactivated or removed from the organization, or the connection used is deleted or no longer shared with the user.



On the Data source details, click the Re-authenticate option to re-authenticate the connection. Once re-authenticated, you can proceed to schedule your data seamlessly.

Troubleshooting for Databridge based connections

This section helps resolve issues with Local Database and FTP (local network) connections that use a DataBridge agent.

1. Error: “Connection no longer exists”

What does this error mean?

Your pipeline is attempting to use a Local Database or FTP connection that requires reauthentication because the user who created or owned the connection was removed from the workspace.

The DataBridge agent is still Active.

How do I fix this?

  1. Go to the failed Pipeline.

  2. Click the Data Source to open the Overview panel.

  3. Click Reauthenticate.

  4. Enter your database or FTP credentials.
    (The DataBridge is active, so selecting a new DataBridge is not required.)

  5. Click Re-authenticate.

Once successful, you can proceed to schedule your data seamlessly.

2. Error: “Databridge is not active”

What does this error mean?

The DataBridge agent used by your Local Database or FTP connection has become Inactive, typically because the user who installed or owned the DataBridge was removed from the workspace.

How do I fix this?

  1. Go to the failed Pipeline.

  2. Click the Data Source to open the Overview panel.

  3. Click Reauthenticate.

  4. The Connection Edit screen will open.

  5. The current DataBridge will appear as Inactive.

  6. Choose one of the following:

    • Select another Active DataBridge from the dropdown, or

    • Click Add a new DataBridge to install a new agent.

  7. Enter your database or FTP credentials.

  8. Click Update.

Once successful, you can proceed to schedule your data seamlessly.

3. My Local Database connection stopped working. What should I check?

Follow these steps in order:

  1. Go to Settings > Databridges.

    • Check whether the DataBridge status is Active or Inactive.

  2. If the DataBridge is Active:

    • The error is likely “Connection no longer exists.”

    • Follow the steps listed under that error above.

  3. If the DataBridge is Inactive:

    • The error is likely “Databridge is not active.”

    • Follow the steps listed under that error above.

4. My FTP (local network) connection stopped working. What should I do?

Follow the same troubleshooting steps as for Local Database connections:

  • Identify whether the error is:

    • “Connection no longer exists”, or

    • “Databridge is not active”

  • Follow the corresponding resolution steps above.



SEE ALSO
Saved data connections in Zoho DataPrep