Connecting to Microsoft SQL Server

The SaveToDB add-in allows connecting to SQL Server tables, views, stored procedures, and table functions.

It supports:

• Microsoft SQL Server 2005 or higher
• Microsoft SQL Server Express LocalDB
• Azure SQL Database
• Azure SQL Data Warehouse

The SaveToDB add-in supports the following data providers:

• OLE DB providers
• ODBC drivers, including DSN files
• .NET Framework Data Provider

Microsoft Office installs the Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server. You can use it to share the workbook with other users easily.

However, this OLE DB provider may not support the newest SQL Server data types and authentication schemes.

So, you can download and install the newest SQL Server OLE DB providers or ODBC drivers.

Also, you can use the .NET Framework Data Provider.

Note that Microsoft Excel does not support .NET Framework Data Providers.

So, contrary to OLE DB providers and ODBC drivers, you and other users can reload data connected with the .NET providers using the SaveToDB add-in only.

Here is a sample of the Database Connection Wizard page where you can select the data provider:

Connecting to SQL Server Databases

Use the following server name format for Microsoft SQL Server:

<Server name or IP-address>[,<Port>][\<Instance name>]

Here is a sample of the database connection page:

The add-in tries to load a list of databases available to connect when a user specifies the server and login credentials.

Here is a sample of the connection to the local server on port 1433:

Below is a sample of the connection to the named instance, SQLEXPRESS:

Below is an example of the connection to a file database using Microsoft SQL Server Express LocalDB. Use the Browse button to select a file.

The add-in allows using the attached files as regular databases, using the database list:

However, connecting to a file can be a better choice as the database can be detached.