Klips: Creating Basecamp 3 data sources

You can set up a connection between Klipfolio Klips and Basecamp 3 data to display your project management data on a dashboard.

This article includes:

• Options for visualizing my Basecamp 3 data
• Connecting my Basecamp 3 data in Klipfolio
• Adding a Basecamp 3 pre-built data source
• Adding a Basecamp 3 custom-built data source
• Creating a Basecamp 3 custom Klip
• More about Basecamp 3's API and queries

What options do I have for visualizing my Basecamp 3 data?

Create data visualizations based on pre-built options or build your own. The choice is yours!

Pre-built by Klipfolio

Take advantage of our pre-built data sources to gather the data most meaningful to you.

• Basecamp 3 pre-built data sources: Data sources provide the foundation for Klip building, so we suggest you create a data source as a first step (before building Klips and adding them to your dashboard). Our pre-built data sources focus on the most sought-after Basecamp 3 data and are found on the Service Connectors page, available from this link or from your list of data sources. When you select a service connector from this page, the data source for that service is automatically added.

Custom-built by you

Taking the time to learn how to create your own data sources and Klips unlocks your data and enables you to control, manipulate, and transform it, leading you to unprecedented insights into your business.

• Custom data sources: When you create a custom data source, you can either use the pre-built data source as a starting point from which to write your own query or you can write your own queries from the ground up and build a data source from scratch. You create custom-built data sources in the Service Connectors page, accessible from this link or from your list of data sources.
• Custom Klips: Using our Klip Editor, you can construct and manipulate your data, including integrating multiple data sources, to produce unique, custom-built data visualizations. You create custom Klips from either your list of Klips or your Dashboard.

Regardless of whether you choose pre-built, custom-built, or a combination of both, before you can start building Klips and dashboards you need to connect to Basecamp 3 data in Klipfolio.

How do I connect to Basecamp 3 data in Klipfolio?

When you connect your Basecamp 3 data to Klipfolio, you will be prompted to connect your Basecamp 3 account by entering your username and password.

Doing so creates a connection that enables Klipfolio to securely access your Basecamp account. By default, your connection name looks like this: yourname@Basecamp<date and time created>. You can modify the default connection name when you create a new connection or from your list of connections, accessed by clicking your Account Name (located at the bottom of the left navigation sidebar) and selecting Account > Connected Accounts or by clicking the button in the left navigation sidebar and selecting Connections.

You can use and reuse the same account connection every time you connect to Basecamp. If you have trouble accessing an existing connection, your OAuth token may have expired. Go here for troubleshooting tips.

How do I add a Basecamp 3 pre-built data source?

To add a Basecamp 3 pre-built data source:

1. Navigate to the Service Connectors page in Klipfolio and choose Basecamp 3 from the list.
2. Select a pre-built data source from the left section of the Choose a pre-built or custom connection page. 
3. If this is your first time connecting to Basecamp 3:
   • Click Connect an account. Enter your Basecamp 3 login credentials and click Next. If prompted, click Allow Access to enable Klipfolio to securely access your Basecamp 3 data. Click Continue.
4. If you have connected to Basecamp 3 before:
   • Select an existing connection (token) from the drop-down list and click Continue.
5. On the Configure your data source page, select your Basecamp 3 Account Name from the drop-down list.
6. Click Get data or, if you want to modify the pre-built data request, click Switch to Custom settings.
   Note: If you switch back to the Basic settings page after making changes in the Custom settings page, your changes will not be saved.
7. Ensure this is the data you’re looking for. Optionally, select the checkbox to Model your data. Learn more about modelling data sources.
8. Click Continue.
9. Name, choose refresh settings, and, optionally, share your data source.
10. Click Save.

If you clicked Switch to Custom settings:

1. On the Configure your data source page, modify the Query URL to get the data you want. You can use the existing information in the Query URL text box as a base. It was auto-filled based on the pre-built data source you selected on the Choose a pre-built or custom connection page.
2. Click Get data.
3. Ensure this is the data you’re looking for. Optionally, select the checkbox to Model your data. Learn more about modelling data sources.
4. Click Continue.
5. Name, choose refresh settings, and, optionally, share your data source.
6. Click Save.

How do I add a Basecamp 3 custom-built data source?

If you choose to create a custom Basecamp 3 data source, you will need to enter your Basecamp 3 Account ID and Project ID into specific spots in the query.

To find your Basecamp 3 Account ID and Project ID:

1. Log into your Basecamp account.
2. Copy the digits that come after basecamp.com in the URL. This is your Account ID.
3. Select a project, then copy the digits that display after projects in the URL. This is your Project ID.

To add a Basecamp 3 custom-built data source:

1. Navigate to the Service Connectors page in Klipfolio and choose Basecamp 3 from the list.
2. On the Choose a pre-built or custom connection page, click Create a custom Basecamp 3 data source.
3. If this is your first time connecting to Basecamp 3:
   • Click Connect an account. Enter your Basecamp 3 login credentials and click Next. If prompted, click Allow Access to enable Klipfolio to securely access your Basecamp 3 data. Click Continue.
4. If you have connected to Basecamp 3 before:
   • Select an existing connection (token) from the drop-down list and click Continue.
5. Adjust the Query URL information, as noted on the Configure your data source page, to replace any generic placeholder data with your own.
   For example, replace <accountid> with your own Account ID.
6. Edit the Query URL further to return the data you need. Refer to the Basecamp 3 API documentation for details.
7. Click Get data.
8. Ensure this is the data you’re looking for. Optionally, select the checkbox to Model your data. Learn more about modelling data sources.
9. Click Continue.
10. Name, choose refresh settings, and, optionally, share your data source.
11. Click Save.

How do I create a Basecamp 3 custom Klip?

You create custom Klips from either your list of Klips or your Dashboard. You choose a data visualization format, for example, a pie chart, gauge, or table, and decide whether you want to use an existing data source or create a new one. In the Klip Editor, there are limitless opportunities to modify, relate, and display your data. See the following related articles for more information and get building!

• The Klip Editor
• Build a custom Klip

More about Basecamp 3's API and queries

Klipfolio connects to hundreds of services in the cloud that have a REST API. If you take the time to learn your service’s API to create queries for the data you want, your possibilities are endless. Here’s a quick overview video on APIs and Klipfolio:

  Klipfolio API's 101

If you need assistance using APIs, enlist a data analyst or developer.

Refer to the Basecamp 3 API documentation to discover more data requests.

See the reference table below for API related information and sample queries.

Related articles

• Introduction to data sources
• Connect your data
• About JSON and XML data sources
• Guide to REST API data sources