Looker and Retool: Complete Integration Guide 2024

 

Integrating Retool with Looker

 

Integrating Retool with Looker involves setting up a smooth and secure connection between the two platforms to allow seamless access and visualization of Looker data within Retool applications. This guide will walk you through the detailed steps required to achieve this integration.

 

Prerequisites

 

• A Looker account with API access enabled.
• A Retool account to create applications and integrate data.
• Basic understanding of API usage and data visualization concepts.

 

Configuring Looker API Access

 

• Log in to your Looker instance and navigate to the Admin panel.
• Go to the "Users" section and select the user you want to generate API credentials for. Ensure they have the necessary permissions.
• In the "Edit User" page, click on "Generate API3 Key" to obtain the Client ID and Client Secret. Keep these credentials safe as they'll be required for integration.

 

Setting Up Retool to Connect with Looker

 

• Log in to your Retool account and access the "Resources" section from the main dashboard.
• Click on "Create new" and select "REST API" as the resource type to configure an external API connection.
• In the resource setup form, provide a name for your Looker integration.
• For the base URL, enter the Looker API URL, typically in the format: https://.looker.com:19999/api/3.1/.
• Choose "Authentication" as "OAuth2" if OAuth is set up, or "API Key" to use the Client ID and Secret. Under "API Key," input the Looker Client ID and Secret obtained earlier.
• Test the connection to ensure Retool can communicate with Looker. Adjust settings if necessary.

 

Creating a Looker Query in Retool

 

• Once connected, navigate to the "Apps" section of Retool and create a new app or open an existing one where you wish to display Looker data.
• Drag and drop the appropriate components into the design area, such as tables, charts, or any other visualizations.
• Select a component and configure the data source by choosing the Looker resource you set up.
• Add a query by clicking "Create new query" and select "Looker API" from the query type. Define the query by specifying the Look endpoint and parameters to fetch the desired data.
• Save the query and map the results to your component to visualize Looker data within the Retool application.

 

Customizing and Enhancing Your Retool App

 

• Utilize Retool's extensive library of UI components to build intuitive data interfaces.
• Incorporate JavaScript and SQL queries to transform and manipulate Looker data, tailoring it to specific app needs.
• Add interactivity by connecting UI components with data queries, allowing real-time data updates and user-driven analysis.
• Ensure appropriate data access controls by leveraging Retool's permission management to restrict or grant access based on user roles.

 

Testing and Deploying the Integration

 

• Thoroughly test the Retool application to verify the accuracy and completeness of Looker data visualization and interaction.
• Check for performance bottlenecks or latency issues in data fetching and rendering.
• Once validated, deploy your Retool app to your intended user base or embed it into existing systems for enhanced accessibility and utility.

 

By carefully following these steps, you can effectively integrate Looker as a data source in your Retool applications, leveraging the strengths of both platforms to create powerful, data-driven tools.