Using Writers in Keboola

What Are Keboola Writers?

Keboola writers are powerful components within the Keboola platform designed specifically for exporting data from Keboola Storage to external systems. They serve as endpoints for your data pipelines, enabling you to move processed data effortlessly to the destinations of your choice. Writers complement Keboola's extractors, which import data into Keboola Storage, by providing the final step in your data pipeline.

Understanding the Role of Writers in Keboola

Writers work as the opposite of extractors. While extractors are responsible for bringing data into Keboola Storage from various sources, writers focus on exporting data outward, ensuring your processed data reaches external systems efficiently. They are crucial for completing the data transformation and integration workflow within Keboola.

Types of Writers Available in Keboola

Within the Keboola platform, you have access to a wide range of writers designed to meet different business needs and integration scenarios. You can explore available writers in the Components section of the Keboola interface. Common writer types include:

• Database Writers (e.g., Snowflake, MySQL, PostgreSQL)
• Cloud Storage Writers (e.g., AWS S3, Azure Blob Storage)
• Business Intelligence Writers (e.g., Tableau, Power BI)
• Marketing and CRM Writers (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot)
• File-based Writers (e.g., CSV, JSON, Excel)

Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up a Writer in Keboola (Example: Snowflake Writer)

Let's illustrate how you can easily set up a writer in Keboola using the Snowflake writer as an example.

Step 1: Access the Components Section

1. Log in to your Keboola account.
2. Navigate to the Components section.
3. Click on Add Component.
4. Use available filters to locate and select the Snowflake writer or any other writer you need.

Step 2: Add New Configuration

1. After selecting your desired writer, click Add New Configuration.
2. Name your configuration for easy reference.

Step 3: Configure Authentication

Authentication is a critical step for establishing a secure connection between Keboola and the external target system.

• Mode 1 (Existing Database): Connect to your existing Snowflake database using provided credentials.
• Mode 2 (New Database): Allow Keboola to automatically create a new Snowflake database and generate the necessary credentials for you.

For our example, we choose Mode 2. Keboola will then initiate the preparation of your new Snowflake database, providing you with the credentials for secure connection.

Step 4: Optional Read-Only Access

Keboola also offers a READ-ONLY ACCESS option. This grants the writer permission to read all the buckets and tables within your Keboola project. For our example, we will skip this option.

Step 5: Configure Data Export Details

After setting up authentication, define precisely which data you want to export.

1. Return to the configuration page after authentication.
2. Click on Add Table to open the selection window.
3. Choose the table from Keboola Storage you wish to export.
4. Configure the export details including:

• Renaming the table within the target Snowflake database, if desired.
• Enabling incremental load. This option ensures data is updated efficiently by checking primary keys, updating existing rows, and appending new rows.
• Reviewing and adjusting column data types and schema.
• Add more tables if required by repeating the process.

Step 6: Running the Writer

Once all configurations are complete, execute your writer to start exporting data:

• Click Run to initiate the export.
• Monitor your export progress and status in the Jobs section within Keboola.
• Review the exported data directly in your Snowflake database or other chosen external system.

Advanced Tips and Best Practices

• Incremental Loads: Regularly use incremental loads to optimize performance and reduce processing times, especially when working with large datasets.
• Data Validation: Regularly validate the exported data to ensure accuracy and consistency in the destination system.
• Automation: Schedule recurring exports to automate your data pipeline and save time.
• Documentation: Always refer to Keboola’s comprehensive documentation for specific writers to understand additional configuration options and troubleshooting tips.

Examples of Common Use Cases

• Business Intelligence Integration: Automatically export your processed data to BI tools like Tableau or Power BI for real-time reporting and dashboard creation.
• Data Warehousing: Continuously export clean, transformed data to cloud-based warehouses like Snowflake, BigQuery, or Redshift for centralized storage and analytics.
• Marketing Automation: Seamlessly integrate customer data with CRM and marketing automation platforms like Salesforce and HubSpot, enabling personalized communication and targeted campaigns.
• Cloud Storage Backup: Regularly export your data to secure cloud storage solutions such as AWS S3 or Azure Blob Storage for reliable backups and disaster recovery.

Conclusion: Why Use Keboola Writers?

Keboola writers simplify and streamline your data export processes. By offering intuitive configuration, extensive writer options, seamless integration capabilities, and robust documentation, Keboola empowers your business to achieve efficient, error-free data transfers. Improve your data workflows, enhance productivity, and ensure your data always reaches its intended destination effortlessly with Keboola writers.