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Connect to Snowflake from Alteryx, using the Snowflake DSII ODBC driver

Important: Although it is possible to connect to Snowflake using the Snowflake DSII driver, this driver is not the validated ODBC driver of choice for Alteryx and is not compatible with all connection methods available for Snowflake in Designer. Please use the validated Snowflake Simba driver available in our Licenses Portal (eg. "Simba Snowflake 3.1.2.1002 64-bit.msi ) ; Only the Simba driver will be possible with DSN-less bulk In-DB connections that require DCM to connect

You need an instance of Snowflake.

If necessary, use this link to request a trial from Snowflake.

Installing Snowflake Drivers and connecting to your database for the first time.

1. From the Snowflake platform click Help, then Download.
   • The following box will appear:

2. Click on ODBC Driver, then Snowflake Repository.
    

3. In the repository, navigate to the best driver for your machine.

4. Download the .msi file.
5. Once downloaded, run the installer to install the driver.
6. Click Next.
   
    
    

7. Choose where you would like to install your driver (the default is fine). Then click Next.
8. Click Install.

9. Once the drive is installed, you will need to set up your connection via ODBC Administrator.

Setup Connection

1. Go to the ODBC Data Sources (64-bit) on your machine and click Add.
   
    
    

 

 

Data Source:	Required	Give your connection a name
User	Required (except when using ExternalBrowser authentication)	Your Snowflake username
Password	Required (except when using ExternalBrowser authentication)	Your Snowflake password
Server	Required	The part of your snowflake server address before and including this: .snowflakecomputing.com and after the https:// Do not include (https://) this as it already adds it in for you.
Database	Recommended	The database name (shown next to the database icon in Snowflake Worksheets).
Schema	Recommended	The schema name (shown next to the star network icon in Snowflake Worksheets).
Warehouse	Recommended	The warehouse name (shown top right in Snowflake Worksheets).
Role	Recommended	The role (shown top right in Snowflake Worksheets).
Tracing	Required	Set to 4 for best practice (default is 3, but 4 provides better diagnostic information).
Authenticator	Dependent on your environment	Leave blank for username/password. Use ExternalBrowser if authenticating via browser. (Not recommended for automation—consult IT if required.)
Proxy	Dependent on your environment	Work with your IT team if a proxy is required for Snowflake access.
NoProxy	Dependent on your environment	Work with your IT team if bypassing proxy is required.

Always test your connection before you close the ODBC manager, then you know at this stage if it is going to work. You will need to type your password into Alteryx when you set it up in an input tool or a managed InDB connection. Please keep it handy for a few more minutes.

 

Connecting to Snowflake in Alteryx

A. Connecting to Snowflake using the Input Data tool

1. Add an Input tool to the workflow and select Snowflake in data sources.
2. Select the relevant ODBCdata source and enter the user name and password.

 

 

 

 

3. Upon successful login, you will see the Visual Query Builder. You can now visually or use SQL to build your queries.

 

 

 

B. Connecting to Snowflake using the Connect In-DB tool

 

1. Add a Connect In-DB tool to the workflow and head over to the configuration and select Manage Connections from the dropdown.

2. Select Snowflake from the Data Source drop down and select New next to Connections drop down and give a name in Connection Name.

 

5. For the Write tab, you can repeat steps 3 and 4. Or, you can set up the Snowflake Bulk Loader. This is recommended for the speed of pushing data into Snowflake. To use the bulk loader, select Snowflake Bulk Loader in the Driver and click the Connection String drop down.
 

 
 

6. Unless you have a specific named stage or an S3 bucket, just click Local & User Stage, this means it will work under your user profile on Snowflake.
 

 

• Snowflake Support on using Windows ODBC

• Alteryx Data Sources