How Do I Query Data in Data Cloud?

This diagram shows a decision flow for the recommended data retrieval methods to use based on your needs.

Decision flow for querying data cloud data

We recommend that you make your choice based on this decision flow.

  1. If you want to use an app to run custom SQL queries, you can use Query Editor in Data Cloud, or use apps that are integrated with Data Cloud, such as Tableau or DBeaver. See Integrated Apps that Connect to Data Cloud.
  2. If there is an object-specific Data Cloud API that corresponds to the data you want to query, use Data Cloud Connect REST API or Data Cloud API. Object-specific API requests are less error-prone, more efficient and performant than writing a custom SQL query. Whenever an object-specific API is available, we recommend you use the API to retrieve data rather than crafting your own SQL queries. See Data Cloud Object-Specific APIs.
  3. If you want to integrate your own app with Data Cloud data, use a client library if one is available for your programming language. The language-specific client libraries include JDBC, Python, and Connect API in Apex. See Language-Specific Client Libraries.
  4. Finally, you can use the Query API calls with a custom SQL query in the Data Cloud Connect API (REST API and Apex) and the Data Cloud API to query Data Cloud data. See Data Cloud SQL Query APIs.