# Using Dashblock to Create Custom APIs for PyPortal

## Overview

Danger: Note that the dashblock.com service, which this project used, disappeared. Users should not expect this guide to work. It is left for study only. Please look at other PyPortal guides for sample programs.

![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/080/182/medium800/lcds___displays_pyportalcover.png?1567032645)

Wondering how to create a custom [API](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_programming_interface) from any website to display your most wanted data?

[Dashblock](https://dashblock.com/) is a new application that allows you to create an API from just about any website easily.

In this guide we walk through a demo on extracting the total [Adafruit Learning System](https://learn.adafruit.com/) guide count with Dashblock then show how to display it on the Adafruit PyPortal.

## What's an API anyway?

Also known as "[application programming interfaces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_programming_interface)" APIs allow us to access all kinds of data from the internet. For this guide we want to access the number of Adafruit guides on [learn.adafruit.com](learn.adafruit.com). Some websites have readily available APIs for giving people easy access to data they may need, but this is not always the case. Using Dashblock however changes things. Read on to see how you can use Dashblock to access all kinds of data on the web!

## Parts:

You can pick up an Adafruit PyPortal and a USB cable (if needed). If you like, you can mount the PyPortal in the Adafruit laser-cut acrylic stand. All these parts are bundled in AdaBox 011 if you'd like to buy them together. 

Instead of AdaBox 011, you can buy parts separately:

### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B

[USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller

Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides)
![USB cable - USB A to Micro-B - 3 foot long](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/592-01.jpg)

### Adafruit PyPortal - CircuitPython Powered Internet Display

[Adafruit PyPortal - CircuitPython Powered Internet Display](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4116)
 **PyPortal** , our easy-to-use IoT device that allows you to create all the things for the “Internet of Things” in minutes. Make custom touch screen interface GUIs, all open-source, and Python-powered using tinyJSON / APIs to get news, stock, weather, cat photos,...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4116)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4116/guides)
![Front view of a Adafruit PyPortal - CircuitPython Powered Internet Display with a pyportal logo image on the display. ](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4116-00.jpeg)

## Optional
### Adafruit PyPortal Desktop Stand Enclosure Kit

[Adafruit PyPortal Desktop Stand Enclosure Kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4146)
PyPortal is our easy-to-use IoT device that allows you to create all the things for the “Internet of Things” in minutes. Create little pocket universes of joy that connect to something good.

And now that you've made a cool internet-connected project...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4146)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4146/guides)
![Demo Shot of the Assembled Adafruit PyPortal Desktop Stand Enclosure Kit.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4146-03.jpg)

- [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/using-dashblock-to-create-custom-apis-for-pyportal/using-dashblock.md)

## Featured Products

### AdaBox011 - PyPortal

[AdaBox011 - PyPortal](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4061)
Reach out beyond your desk - to the stars and beyond - with **PyPortal**! This ADABOX features a new, easy-to-use IoT device that allows you to customize and create your very own "Internet of Things" portal. We take CircuitPython to the max, pairing a SAMD51 chip with a...

No Longer Stocked
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4061)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4061/guides)
### Adafruit PyPortal - CircuitPython Powered Internet Display

[Adafruit PyPortal - CircuitPython Powered Internet Display](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4116)
 **PyPortal** , our easy-to-use IoT device that allows you to create all the things for the “Internet of Things” in minutes. Make custom touch screen interface GUIs, all open-source, and Python-powered using tinyJSON / APIs to get news, stock, weather, cat photos,...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4116)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4116/guides)
### Adafruit PyPortal Desktop Stand Enclosure Kit

[Adafruit PyPortal Desktop Stand Enclosure Kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4146)
PyPortal is our easy-to-use IoT device that allows you to create all the things for the “Internet of Things” in minutes. Create little pocket universes of joy that connect to something good.

And now that you've made a cool internet-connected project...

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4146)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4146/guides)
### USB cable - USB A to Micro-B

[USB cable - USB A to Micro-B](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
This here is your standard A to micro-B USB cable, for USB 1.1 or 2.0. Perfect for connecting a PC to your Metro, Feather, Raspberry Pi or other dev-board or microcontroller

Approximately 3 feet / 1 meter long

In Stock
[Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/592)
[Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/592/guides)

## Related Guides

- [Adafruit PyPortal - IoT for CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-pyportal.md)
- [IoT Power Outlet with CircuitPython and Adafruit IO](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-io-a-c-power-relay.md)
- [Karel The Robot In CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/karel-the-robot-in-circuitpython.md)
- [TFT Spirit Board](https://learn.adafruit.com/tft-spirit-board.md)
- [Portable PyPortal](https://learn.adafruit.com/portable-pyportal.md)
- [PyPortal Event Countdown Clock](https://learn.adafruit.com/pyportal-event-countdown-clock.md)
- [PyPortal Halloween Countdown](https://learn.adafruit.com/pyportal-halloween-countdown.md)
- [PyPortal Alarm Clock](https://learn.adafruit.com/pyportal-alarm-clock.md)
- [Infinite Text Adventure](https://learn.adafruit.com/infinite-text-adventure.md)
- [Where's My Friend? A Location-Aware Display with PyPortal and ItsASnap](https://learn.adafruit.com/where-s-my-friend-a-location-display-frame-with-pyportal.md)
- [PyPortal Discord Online Counter](https://learn.adafruit.com/pyportal-discord-online-count.md)
- [PyPortal Weekly Countdown Clock](https://learn.adafruit.com/pyportal-countdown-clock.md)
- [PyPortal IoT Plant Monitor with AWS IoT and CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/pyportal-iot-plant-monitor-with-aws-iot-and-circuitpython.md)
- [Pathfinder Robot Companion](https://learn.adafruit.com/pathfinder.md)
- [Quickstart: Adafruit IO WipperSnapper ](https://learn.adafruit.com/quickstart-adafruit-io-wippersnapper.md)
- [Creating Slideshows in CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/creating-slideshows-in-circuitpython.md)