> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.hightouch.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Metabase

> Meet the easy, open source way for everyone in your company to ask questions and learn from data.

> [!TIP]
>
> Metabase limits query results to one million rows. If you need to sync a
> larger dataset, connect your warehouse directly to Hightouch.

## Overview

Hightouch lets you pull data stored in [Metabase](https://metabase.com/) and push it to downstream destinations. You can sync data from Metabase Cloud or your own self-hosted instance. Most of the setup occurs in the Hightouch UI, but you need access to Metabase for information like your server URL and credentials.

> [!NOTE]
>
> You may need to allowlist Hightouch's IP addresses to let our systems connect to your warehouse. Reference our [networking docs](https://docs.hightouch.com/security/networking#ip-addresses) to determine which IP addresses you need to allowlist.

## Connection configuration

To get started, go to the [**Sources** overview page](https://app.hightouch.com/sources?from=docs) and click the **Add source** button. Select **Metabase** and follow the steps below.

### Choose connection type

Hightouch can connect directly to Metabase over the public internet or via an SSH tunnel. Since data is encrypted in transit via TLS, a direct connection is suitable for most use cases. You may need to set up a tunnel if your Metabase instance is on a private network or virtual private cloud (VPC).

![Direct connection vs. SSH tunnel](https://mintcdn.com/hightouch-3c037897/L_vQfA0JQEpeGUUo/images/get-started/connection-types-comparison.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=L_vQfA0JQEpeGUUo\&q=85\&s=2300535707894b1f08608939cac812b2)

Hightouch supports both standard and reverse SSH tunnels. To learn more about SSH tunneling, refer to Hightouch's [tunneling documentation](https://docs.hightouch.com/security/ssh-tunneling.md).

### Configure your source

Enter the following required fields into Hightouch:

* **Server**: The URL for your Metabase server, for example, `https://mycompanyname.metabaseapp.com/`. Alternatively, you may provide an IP address and port number, for example `127.0.0.1:443`.
* **Username**: This can be your personal Metabase login or a dedicated user for Hightouch.
* **Password**: The password for the user specified above.
* (Optional) **Database for native SQL queries**: By default, this source supports reading data from Metabase questions and tables. If you wish to execute [native SQL queries](https://www.metabase.com/docs/latest/questions/native-editor/writing-sql.html), you must specify the name of the database to be queried.

## Test your connection

When setting up Metabase as a source for the first time, Hightouch checks that you have the correct permissions. Once the test passes, click **Continue** to finish setup.

## Create models

Once your source configuration has passed the necessary validation, your source setup is complete. Next, you can set up [models](https://docs.hightouch.com/getting-started/concepts.md#models) to define which data you want to pull from Metabase.

### Model setup

Hightouch allows to extract data from Metabase [questions](https://www.metabase.com/glossary/question) and [tables](https://www.metabase.com/glossary/table).

1. In Hightouch, go to the [**Models** overview page](https://app.hightouch.com/models?from=docs).
2. Click **Add model.**
3. Select the Metabase source you previously created.
4. Select **Browse available data**. You can then select the **question** or **table** you want to query. You can query both private and public questions and tables.
5. Preview your model's query results.
6. Click **Continue**.
7. Give your model a descriptive **Name**.

### Raw SQL

You can run queries against your warehouse via Metabase using Hightouch models. If you've connected a warehouse to your Metabase instance, copy the name in the Metabase UI and add it to the **Database for native SQL queries** field in the [source configuration](#configure-your-source) form.

Then, use the Hightouch [the SQL editor](https://docs.hightouch.com/models/sql-editor.md) to create your model.

## Tips and troubleshooting

If you run into an issue this page doesn't cover, [contact support](#pylon-chat).

### Hidden Columns

There is a known issue when querying Metabase questions and tables containing hidden columns. Hightouch recommends unhiding all columns.

### Renaming Columns

There is a known issue when querying Metabase questions and tables containing renamed columns. Hightouch recommends not renaming any columns.