I’m working on a project where I need to update Google spreadsheets through Azure Data Factory workflows. Reading data from Google Sheets works perfectly using a simple API key, but when I try to write or modify data, Google requires OAuth 2.0 authentication which is more complex to set up.
I’ve tested manually generating OAuth tokens and they work fine for write operations, but I need to find a way to automate this authentication process within Azure Data Factory. Has anyone successfully configured OAuth 2.0 credentials for Google Sheets API integration in ADF? What would be the best approach to handle token refresh automatically?
Had this same issue last year. I opted for Google service accounts instead of OAuth 2.0, which proved to be much simpler for ADF pipelines. I created a service account in Google Cloud Console, generated the JSON key, and stored it in Azure Key Vault for secure access. Just ensure that the service account has the necessary editor permissions on your spreadsheets. This approach eliminated the complexities of token refresh since service account credentials do not expire like OAuth tokens. It has been effective for both reading and writing operations without the hassle of refresh cycles.
i tried using Azure Functions too! set it up to manage the OAuth flow and stash those tokens in Key Vault. just call it from ADF with a web activity. it really helps with handling token refresh for scheduled pipelines. bit more coding, but way better control over errors!
In a similar scenario, I leveraged Azure Key Vault along with Logic Apps for managing OAuth tokens efficiently. I initially stored the refresh token securely in Key Vault. The next step involved creating a Logic App designed to trigger prior to your ADF pipeline, specifically for obtaining a new access token from Google’s OAuth endpoint while simultaneously updating Key Vault. During the execution of your ADF pipeline, simply retrieve the freshly generated token. Don’t forget to implement error handling within the Logic App to address any potential token refresh failures, ensuring smoother operations for scheduled runs.