M-Files connector

Set up the M-Files connector in Kaivo: authentication, configuration, the 5 BigQuery tables it syncs, and answers to common questions.

Written By Lauri Raivio

Last updated 16 days ago

Kaivo is a fully managed data platform that syncs your M-Files data into a Google BigQuery warehouse and keeps it up to date automatically. There is no pipeline to build and no infrastructure to run, so you can spend your time analysing your data from M-Files instead of moving it.

What is the M-Files connector

Sync your M-Files documents and metadata into BigQuery with Kaivo to report on the content your team manages alongside the rest of your data.

Category	Files & Databases
Authentication	Username and password
Setup	Self-service

Getting started with the M-Files connector

Sign up for Kaivo and create a workspace.
Connect your M-Files account.
Choose which tables to sync.
Wait for the initial sync to finish.
Query your data in BigQuery or your favourite AI or BI tool.

Authenticating M-Files

Connect with your M-Files login. You provide:

Field	Description
Password

Configuring the M-Files connector

When you set up the connector, you provide:

Field	Description
Username
Vault GUID
Server URL
Object Type	Built-in object types are document (0), document collection (9), assignment (10), share (19), email (20), and email conversation (21). There may also exist custom types that are not listed here. In most cases, files are associated with documents, and this should be zero.
Object ID	The ID of an object is found on the M-Files user interface.

Tables and columns synced from M-Files

Kaivo syncs 5 tables from M-Files into a dedicated dataset in your BigQuery warehouse. Click any table to see its columns and types.

class_definitions (51 columns)

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`acl_for_objects__checked_out_to_user_id`	`INT64`
`acl_for_objects__custom_component__can_deactivate`	`BOOL`
`acl_for_objects__custom_component__current_user_binding`	`INT64`
`acl_for_objects__custom_component__has_current_user`	`BOOL`
`acl_for_objects__custom_component__has_current_user_binding`	`BOOL`
`acl_for_objects__custom_component__has_named_acl_link`	`BOOL`
`acl_for_objects__custom_component__has_pseudo_users`	`BOOL`
`acl_for_objects__custom_component__is_active`	`BOOL`
`acl_for_objects__custom_component__named_acl_link`	`INT64`
`acl_for_objects__has_checked_out_to_user_id`	`BOOL`
`acl_for_objects__is_fully_authoritative`	`BOOL`
`acl_for_objects__is_un_specified`	`BOOL`
`assignment_class_info__any_assignee_approves`	`BOOL`
`assignment_class_info__any_assignee_completes`	`BOOL`
`assignment_class_info__assignment_type`	`INT64`
`automatic_permissions__can_deactivate`	`BOOL`
`automatic_permissions__is_based_on_object_acl`	`BOOL`
`automatic_permissions__is_default`	`BOOL`
`automatic_permissions__named_acl__access_control_list__checked_out_to_user_id`	`INT64`
`automatic_permissions__named_acl__access_control_list__custom_component__can_deactivate`	`BOOL`
`automatic_permissions__named_acl__access_control_list__custom_component__current_user_binding`	`INT64`
`automatic_permissions__named_acl__access_control_list__custom_component__has_current_user`	`BOOL`
`automatic_permissions__named_acl__access_control_list__custom_component__has_current_user_binding`	`BOOL`
`automatic_permissions__named_acl__access_control_list__custom_component__has_named_acl_link`	`BOOL`
`automatic_permissions__named_acl__access_control_list__custom_component__has_pseudo_users`	`BOOL`
`automatic_permissions__named_acl__access_control_list__custom_component__is_active`	`BOOL`
`automatic_permissions__named_acl__access_control_list__custom_component__named_acl_link`	`INT64`
`automatic_permissions__named_acl__access_control_list__has_checked_out_to_user_id`	`BOOL`
`automatic_permissions__named_acl__access_control_list__is_fully_authoritative`	`BOOL`
`automatic_permissions__named_acl__access_control_list__is_un_specified`	`BOOL`
`automatic_permissions__named_acl__has_automatic_component`	`BOOL`
`automatic_permissions__named_acl__id`	`INT64`
`automatic_permissions__named_acl__is_named_acl`	`BOOL`
`automatic_permissions__named_acl__is_un_specified`	`BOOL`
`automatic_permissions__named_acl__name`	`STRING`
`can_attach_objects`	`BOOL`
`default_class`	`BOOL`
`has_automatic_permission`	`BOOL`
`has_forced_workflow`	`BOOL`
`has_icon`	`BOOL`
`id`	`INT64`
`name`	`STRING`
`name_property_def`	`INT64`
`obj_type`	`INT64`
`object_type`	`INT64`
`permissions__can_attach_objects`	`BOOL`
`permissions__can_edit`	`BOOL`
`permissions__can_read`	`BOOL`
`workflow`	`INT64`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: class_definitions__acl_for_objects__automatic_components

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`value`	`JSON`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: class_definitions__acl_for_objects__custom_component__access_control_entries

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`change_permissions_permission`	`INT64`
`delete_permission`	`INT64`
`edit_permission`	`INT64`
`has_concrete_user_or_gruop_id`	`BOOL`
`is_group`	`BOOL`
`is_psudo_user`	`BOOL`
`read_permission`	`INT64`
`user_or_group_id`	`INT64`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: class_definitions__access_control_list

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: class_definitions__associated_property_defs

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`property_def`	`INT64`
`required`	`BOOL`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: class_definitions__automatic_permissions__named_acl__access_control_list__automatic_components

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`value`	`JSON`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: class_definitions__automatic_permissions__named_acl__access_control_list__custom_component__access_control_entries

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`change_permissions_permission`	`INT64`
`delete_permission`	`INT64`
`edit_permission`	`INT64`
`has_concrete_user_or_gruop_id`	`BOOL`
`is_group`	`BOOL`
`is_psudo_user`	`BOOL`
`read_permission`	`INT64`
`user_or_group_id`	`INT64`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

objects (47 columns)

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`accessed_by_me`	`TIMESTAMP`
`accessed_by_me_utc`	`TIMESTAMP`
`checked_out_at`	`TIMESTAMP`
`checked_out_at_display_value`	`STRING`
`checked_out_at_utc`	`TIMESTAMP`
`checked_out_from`	`STRING`
`checked_out_to`	`INT64`
`checked_out_to_user_name`	`STRING`
`class`	`INT64`
`created`	`TIMESTAMP`
`created_display_value`	`STRING`
`created_utc`	`TIMESTAMP`
`deleted`	`BOOL`
`display_id`	`STRING`
`escaped_title_with_id`	`STRING`
`has_assignments`	`BOOL`
`has_relationships_from`	`BOOL`
`has_relationships_from_this`	`BOOL`
`has_relationships_to`	`BOOL`
`has_relationships_to_this`	`BOOL`
`is_stub`	`BOOL`
`last_accessed_by_me`	`TIMESTAMP`
`last_modified`	`TIMESTAMP`
`last_modified_display_value`	`STRING`
`last_modified_utc`	`TIMESTAMP`
`latest_checked_in_version`	`INT64`
`object_type`	`INT64`
`object_id`	`INT64`
`obj_ver__id`	`INT64`
`obj_ver__type`	`INT64`
`obj_ver__version`	`INT64`
`obj_ver__version_type`	`INT64`
`object_capability_flags`	`INT64`
`object_checked_out`	`BOOL`
`object_checked_out_to_this_user`	`BOOL`
`object_flags`	`INT64`
`object_guid`	`STRING`
`object_version_flags`	`INT64`
`path_in_id_view`	`STRING`
`score`	`INT64`
`single_file`	`BOOL`
`this_version_latest_to_this_user`	`BOOL`
`title`	`STRING`
`visible_after_operation`	`BOOL`
`property_id`	`INT64`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: objects__base_properties

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`value`	`JSON`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: objects__files

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`change_time`	`TIMESTAMP`
`change_time_utc`	`TIMESTAMP`
`created_display_value`	`STRING`
`created_utc`	`TIMESTAMP`
`escaped_name`	`STRING`
`extension`	`STRING`
`file_guid`	`STRING`
`file_version_type`	`INT64`
`id`	`INT64`
`last_modified`	`TIMESTAMP`
`last_modified_display_value`	`STRING`
`name`	`STRING`
`size`	`INT64`
`version`	`INT64`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

objects_properties (40 columns)

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`content_type`	`INT64`
`has_automatic_permission`	`BOOL`
`object_id`	`INT64`
`object_last_modified`	`STRING`
`object_type`	`INT64`
`property_def`	`INT64`
`typed_value__data_type`	`INT64`
`typed_value__display_value`	`STRING`
`typed_value__has_automatic_permission`	`BOOL`
`typed_value__has_value`	`BOOL`
`typed_value__is_number_sorting`	`BOOL`
`typed_value__lookup__deleted`	`BOOL`
`typed_value__lookup__display_value`	`STRING`
`typed_value__lookup__hidden`	`BOOL`
`typed_value__lookup__item`	`INT64`
`typed_value__lookup__object_flags`	`INT64`
`typed_value__lookup__object_type`	`INT64`
`typed_value__lookup__version`	`INT64`
`typed_value__lookup__version_type`	`INT64`
`typed_value__serialized_value`	`STRING`
`typed_value__sorting_key`	`STRING`
`typed_value__value`	`STRING`
`value__data_type`	`INT64`
`value__display_value`	`STRING`
`value__has_automatic_permission`	`BOOL`
`value__has_value`	`BOOL`
`value__is_number_sorting`	`BOOL`
`value__lookup__deleted`	`BOOL`
`value__lookup__display_value`	`STRING`
`value__lookup__hidden`	`BOOL`
`value__lookup__item`	`INT64`
`value__lookup__object_flags`	`INT64`
`value__lookup__object_type`	`INT64`
`value__lookup__version`	`INT64`
`value__lookup__version_type`	`INT64`
`value__serialized_value`	`STRING`
`value__sorting_key`	`STRING`
`value__value`	`STRING`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: objects_properties__typed_value__lookups

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`deleted`	`BOOL`
`display_value`	`STRING`
`hidden`	`BOOL`
`item`	`INT64`
`object_flags`	`INT64`
`object_type`	`INT64`
`version`	`INT64`
`version_type`	`INT64`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: objects_propertiesvaluelookups

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`deleted`	`BOOL`
`display_value`	`STRING`
`hidden`	`BOOL`
`item`	`INT64`
`object_flags`	`INT64`
`object_type`	`INT64`
`version`	`INT64`
`version_type`	`INT64`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

property_definitions (31 columns)

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`all_object_types`	`BOOL`
`automatic_value_type`	`INT64`
`based_on_value_list`	`BOOL`
`content_type`	`INT64`
`data_type`	`INT64`
`dependency_pd`	`INT64`
`dependency_relation`	`INT64`
`guid`	`STRING`
`has_static_filter`	`BOOL`
`id`	`INT64`
`is_create_permission_allowed`	`BOOL`
`is_owner_property_def`	`BOOL`
`name`	`STRING`
`object_type`	`INT64`
`owner_property_def__dependency_relation`	`INT64`
`owner_property_def__id`	`INT64`
`owner_property_def__is_relation_filtering`	`BOOL`
`permissions__can_attach_objects`	`BOOL`
`permissions__can_edit`	`BOOL`
`permissions__can_read`	`BOOL`
`predefined`	`BOOL`
`sort_ascending`	`BOOL`
`sorting_type`	`INT64`
`this_is_conflict_pd`	`BOOL`
`this_is_default_pd`	`BOOL`
`this_is_owner_pd`	`BOOL`
`update_type`	`INT64`
`value_list`	`INT64`
`value_list_sorting_type`	`INT64`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: property_definitions__static_filters

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`condition_type`	`INT64`
`expression__data_property_value_property_def`	`INT64`
`expression__data_status_value_type`	`INT64`
`expression__expression_type`	`INT64`
`mf_data_function`	`INT64`
`status_value_type`	`INT64`
`typed_value__data_type`	`INT64`
`typed_value__display_value`	`STRING`
`typed_value__has_automatic_permission`	`BOOL`
`typed_value__has_value`	`BOOL`
`typed_value__is_number_sorting`	`BOOL`
`typed_value__lookup__deleted`	`BOOL`
`typed_value__lookup__display_value`	`STRING`
`typed_value__lookup__hidden`	`BOOL`
`typed_value__lookup__item`	`INT64`
`typed_value__lookup__object_flags`	`INT64`
`typed_value__lookup__object_type`	`INT64`
`typed_value__lookup__version`	`INT64`
`typed_value__lookup__version_type`	`INT64`
`typed_value__serialized_value`	`STRING`
`typed_value__sorting_key`	`STRING`
`typed_value__value`	`STRING`
`valuelist_id`	`INT64`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

type_definitions (16 columns)

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`allow_adding`	`BOOL`
`can_have_files`	`BOOL`
`default_property_def`	`INT64`
`external`	`BOOL`
`has_owner`	`BOOL`
`hierarchial`	`BOOL`
`id`	`INT64`
`is_adding_allowed_for_user`	`BOOL`
`name`	`STRING`
`name_plural`	`STRING`
`owner`	`INT64`
`owner_property_def`	`INT64`
`real_object_type`	`BOOL`
`show_in_task_pane`	`BOOL`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: type_definitions__read_only_properties_during_insert

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`value`	`INT64`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: type_definitions__read_only_properties_during_update

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`value`	`INT64`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

Subtable: type_definitions__object_type_targets_for_browsing

Column	Type	Description
`_kaivo_parent_id`	`STRING`	Foreign key referencing _kaivo_id in the parent table. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`_kaivo_id`	`STRING`	Primary key that uniquely identifies the row. Auto-generated by Kaivo.
`value`	`JSON`
`_kaivo_extracted_at`	`TIMESTAMP`	Timestamp that shows when the row was extracted. Auto-generated by Kaivo.

How the M-Files sync works

After the first load, Kaivo keeps your BigQuery warehouse up to date for you. Where M-Files supports it, each sync pulls only new and changed records so it stays fast; otherwise it refreshes the whole table. Every record keeps its original ID, so you won't get duplicate rows.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the initial sync take for M-Files?

It depends on how much history is in your M-Files account. Most initial syncs finish within minutes, while large accounts can take a few hours. After that, syncs only fetch new and changed records, so they're much faster.

Can I sync only some tables or columns?

Yes. You pick which tables to sync when you set up the connection and can change the selection later. Tables you don't select are never copied to your warehouse.

What happens when M-Files's schema changes?

New fields are never added automatically. You choose which fields to sync, so data you haven't selected (sensitive personal data, for example) never lands in your warehouse. When a new field appears, it becomes available for you to add. What happens to removed or renamed fields depends on a table's sync mode: full-refresh tables always match what's currently in M-Files, so dropped fields disappear, while incremental tables keep their existing columns and history, so an old field stays and newly added fields fill in over time.

Your data lives in your own Kaivo-managed BigQuery warehouse, so the most direct option is to delete or anonymise specific records right in BigQuery. If you delete data in M-Files instead, full-refresh tables drop it on the next sync, while incremental tables keep it, so you would remove the row in BigQuery or ask us to run a full refresh. To remove everything, delete the M-Files connector in Kaivo and all of its synced data is deleted with it.

Common use cases for M-Files data

Document reporting

Turn the documents and metadata you manage in M-Files into dashboards and metrics.

Process tracking

Analyse document status and workflow data to monitor approvals and bottlenecks.

Combine with other sources

Join M-Files metadata with your other systems in BigQuery for a full view.

Historical trends

Keep a synced history to see how your content and processes change over time.

Use M-Files data in your AI and BI tools

Once M-Files data lands in your Kaivo-managed BigQuery warehouse, you can explore it with AI tools or any BI tool that connects to BigQuery. Here's how the most common destinations work with M-Files data.

Claude

Use Kaivo's MCP server to give Claude secure, workspace-scoped access to your data. Setup guide →

Power BI

Microsoft's BI tool with a native BigQuery connector. Supports direct query and scheduled refresh. Setup guide →

Data Studio

Free Google BI tool with native BigQuery support. One-click connection to your Kaivo warehouse; great for SMB teams on Google Workspace. Setup guide →

Tableau

The premium analytics standard, with native BigQuery integration. Setup guide →

Google Sheets

Use Connected Sheets to query BigQuery directly from a spreadsheet, with no SQL. Setup guide →

Excel

Connect via Power Query's BigQuery connector. Setup guide →

Metabase

Open-source BI tool with strong BigQuery support. Setup guide →

See our pricing page for M-Files connector pricing and plan details.

Google Sheets: Sync Google Sheets to BigQuery.
Microsoft SQL Server: Sync Microsoft SQL Server to BigQuery.
MySQL: Sync MySQL to BigQuery.
Postgres: Sync Postgres to BigQuery.
PxWeb: Sync PxWeb to BigQuery.
Uljas: Sync Uljas to BigQuery.

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