Connect to Microsoft SQL Server Database

Microsoft SQL Server database can be used as a dynamic data source for label objects or form objects. Before you manually set up a database connection, open the Dynamic Data Manager. This dialog enables the user to manage the variable data sources for label and form objects.

Click Database Connections button in the Dynamic Data Manager ribbon and select Microsoft SQL Server as the preferred database type. New database connection properties window opens.

To manually connect an object to a Microsoft SQL Server database, complete the following steps:

Step 1: Connection Setup

Connection type group allows you to define the type of database connection.

Connection Information group defines database details.

  • Server: defines the database server to be used for the connection. The available servers are listed automatically. To add a non-listed server, insert its name or location manually.

  • Authentication: selects the user authentication type.

    • Use Windows authentication to login using your Windows domain credential.

    • Use SQL Server authentication to login using the SQL server credentials.

Database selection group selects the database on the previously selected server. This database is going to be used as a data source for the selected label or form object.

  • Database: defines the server database to connect to.

Show Connection String displays the current database connection string and allows it to be inserted or modified.

Warning

Connection string editing is intended for advanced users only. To configure the database connection, users are encouraged to use standard dialog inputs in the dialog box.

Test Connection button starts a connection testing procedure. It shows if your connection with the database has been established successfully. A confirmation or error message appears depending on the connection status.

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Click OK when done.

Database Connection group defines the connection name and describes it.

  • Connection name: defines the name for the connected database file. By default, it displays the filename of the connected file. Insert a new name to make it easy to be found in the Desktop DesignerDynamic Data Explorer.

  • Description: allows adding additional information and suggestions for the connected database.

  • Connection: identifies the currently connected database file. To replace the currently connected file, click the Connection Setup button. New Database Connection Properties window reappears – repeat step 1 to connect to an alternative database file.

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Step 2: Database Table Selection

Tables group allows you to select which tables of the connected database should be used as a data source.

  • Available tables: available tables in the selected database.

  • Selected tables: tables that are used as a data source.

Click Add > or < Remove buttons to add or remove the tables from the Selected fields.

Note

When editing an existing database, a table cannot be removed if used in a script, function, action, or connected to a label or form object.

Click OK when done.

Step 3: Configuration of Database Tables and Fields

Read about how to configure the connected table here.

Read about how to configure the database fields here.

Click OK when done.