Details on Microsoft SQL Server Connection


This dialog is used to set up a connection to a Microsoft SQL Server database, where you can analyze data from the database without bringing it into your analysis.

  1. Select Tools > Manage Data Connections.

  2. Click Add New > Data Connection and select Microsoft SQL Server.

  1. Select File > Add Data Tables....

  2. Click Add.

  3. Select Connection To > Microsoft SQL Server.

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Option

Description

Server

The name of the server where your data is located. To include a port number, add it directly after the name preceded by comma. To include an instance name, add it directly after the server name preceded by backslash.

Example with port number:
MyDatabaseServer,1234

Example with instance name:
MyDatabaseServer\InstanceName

Authentication method

The authentication method to use when logging into the database. Choose from Windows authentication and SQL Server authentication.

Windows authentication

When using Windows authentication, e.g., Kerberos, the access token of the logged in user will be used. Users that have been given the appropriate access rights to SQL Server will be able to connect and read data.

Domain credentials are not stored in the analysis file.

SQL Server authentication

With database authentication the authentication is done using a database user. Database credentials can be stored, unencrypted, as part of the analysis file, using a setting in the Data Source Settings dialog. If credentials are found in the analysis file they will be used to automatically authenticate against the database.

If no credentials or credentials profiles are found in the analysis file all who open the file will be prompted for database credentials.

Note that there will be no prompting for credentials if the credentials embedded in the analysis file fail.

Username

The username you wish to use when logging into the SQL Server database.

Password

The password for the specified username.

Connect

Connects you to the specified server and populates the list of available databases below.

Database

Select the database of interest from the drop-down list.

See also:

Data Overview

Adding Data Connections to an Analysis

SQL Server Data Types