Discover how to seamlessly integrate Mendix applications with Google Drive for efficient file management. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for importing files from Mendix to Google Drive, highlighting key features, setup processes, and best practices for enhancing collaboration and data accessibility.
The primary objective of this blog is to import a file to Google Drive from Mendix application, which typically revolves around enabling seamless and efficient file management and collaboration.
Google Drive is a cloud-based file storage and synchronization service developed by Google. It allows users to store files in the cloud, synchronize files across devices, and share those files with others. Here are some key features and aspects of Google Drive.
File Storage and Organization:
Users can store various types of files, including documents, spreadsheets, presentations, images, and more.
Files are organized into folders, and users can create nested folder structures for better organization.
Sync Across Devices:
Google Drive offers synchronization across desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones.
Changes made to files on one device are automatically synced and updated across all devices where Google Drive is installed.
Collaboration and Sharing:
Users can share files and folders with specific individuals or set them to be accessible by anyone with the link.
Collaborators can view, comment, or edit files in real-time, fostering smooth and efficient teamwork.
Google Workspace Integration:
Google Drive is seamlessly integrated with other Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) applications such as Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
This integration enables collaborative editing of documents directly within Google Drive.
Version History and Recovery:
Google Drive tracks version history for files, enabling users to review and restore previous versions if needed.
Deleted files can often be recovered from the Trash within a specified timeframe.
Security and Privacy:
Files stored in Google Drive are encrypted both during transfer and while at rest.
Google Drive offers granular sharing permissions and administrative controls to manage access and ensure data security.
Search and Discovery:
Users can search for files by name, content, or keyword, making it easy to locate specific documents within their Drive.
Third-Party Integrations:
Google Drive supports integration with third-party apps and services through its API, enabling enhanced functionality and workflows.
Mendix and Google Drive:
Mendix, a low-code development platform, enables developers to build and integrate applications that interact with various services, including Google Drive, to facilitate file transfer and management. Here are some typical services and capabilities provided by Mendix for transferring files to Google Drive.
Integration with External APIs:
Mendix allows developers to integrate external APIs, including the Google Drive API, using built-in connectors or custom integration modules.
2. Developers can use Mendix’s integration capabilities to authenticate with Google Drive, retrieve access tokens, and make authorized API calls for uploading, downloading, or managing files.
Custom Microflows and Logic:
Developers can create custom microflows (workflows) within Mendix applications to define business logic for transferring files to Google Drive.
This includes defining actions such as uploading files from Mendix entities or other data sources to specific folders in Google Drive.
Data Mapping and Transformation:
Mendix provides tools to map and transform data between different formats, facilitating the preparation of files or metadata before uploading to Google Drive.
This ensures that files are structured correctly, and that metadata is accurately represented according to Google Drive’s requirements.
Error Handling and Logging:
Mendix applications can implement robust error-handling mechanisms to manage exceptions and errors that may occur during file transfer operations.
Logging capabilities allow developers to track and audit file transfer activities, helping to troubleshoot issues and ensure data integrity.
Security and Permissions Management:
Developers can implement security measures within Mendix applications to ensure that file transfers to Google Drive comply with organizational security policies.
This includes managing access permissions, encrypting sensitive data, and securing API credentials used for authentication with Google Drive.
Configure the credentials in Google.
Generate the access token in Postman.
Upload a file to Google Drive from Mendix.
Step 1: Configure the credentials in Google
Open the following link to see the page, as shown in the picture below.
https://developers.google.com/identity/gsi/web/guides/get-google-api-clientid
2. Click on 'Google APIs Console' as shown in the picture above. You will be redirected to the following page.
3. Go to the 'GoogleLogin' option in the menu bar and it will open the following pop-up page.
5. On the page above, enter the project name and click on the 'Create' button. This will create a new project in the Google Cloud Console.
6. Select the project you created in the Google Cloud Console. You will then be redirected to the page below.
Click on 'Create Credentials' and select 'OAuth Client ID.' Configure the OAuth consent screen by selecting 'External' as the user type, then click on the 'Create' button at the bottom of the page.
In the OAuth consent screen, provide the following app information:
App name and User support email
App domain: http://localhost:8080/
Authorized Domains:
oauth.pstmn.io
mxapps.io
After entering the details, click on the 'Save and Continue' button. I have added the ‘Scopes’, and the page should now look like the image below.
9. After adding the scopes, click on the 'Save and Continue' button.
10. Review the summary in the Summary tab and click on the 'Back to Dashboard' button.
11. In the Library, enable the Google Drive API.
12. Go back to the dashboard to find the OAuth 2.0 Client IDs. Download the file from the Actions column and store it securely, as you'll need these credentials later.
Step:2 Generate the access token in Postman
Open Postman and select "New Tab." Enter the following URL:
https://cloudresourcemanager.googleapis.com
Select the ‘Auth’ type as ‘OAuth 2.0’ and configure the settings to get a new access token:
Callback URL for Postman: https://oauth.pstmn.io/v1/callback
Scopes:
https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.appdata
https://www.googleapis.com/auth/drive.file
Use the remaining credentials from the file you downloaded from Google Cloud, and then click on ‘Get New Access Token’.
You will receive a new access token. Click 'Use Access Token' to apply it.
Step 3: Upload a file to Google drive from Mendix
Download the Google Connector OAuth 2.0 module from the Marketplace.
Add a page named GoogleOAuthsettings_overview to the navigation and run the application.
Open the front-end application and click on the GoogleOAuthsettings_overview tab in the menu bar. It will appear as shown in the image below.
Click on the 'NEW' button to open a pop-up page for configuring the data. After entering the details, click on the 'Save' button.
5. Click on 'Generate Token' to receive the 'Access Token' and 'Refresh Token'.
Note: You need to refresh the access token every hour, as it expires hourly.
Download the Google Drive Connector module from the Marketplace.
Add a page named Test_GoogleDrivePage_overview to the navigation and run the application.
Open the front-end application and click on the Test_GoogleDrivePage_overview tab in the menu bar. This will open a new page, as shown in the image below.
Click on 'Create file in drive' to open a pop-up page. Configure the data on this page, then click on the 'Create File' button, as shown in the image below.
After clicking on 'Create File,' you will be redirected to the details page. Review the data and then click on the 'Get as document' option, as shown in the image below.
11. Check your Google Drive account to verify that the file uploaded.
In conclusion, integrating Google Drive file uploads into Mendix applications offers significant advantages including enhanced flexibility, scalability, and accessibility. Leveraging the Google Drive API allows developers to streamline the process of file uploads directly to Google Drive for users, thereby improving collaboration and data management within Mendix applications.
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