Microsoft SQL Server Database

This example discusses how to connect Tableau to a Microsoft SQL Server database.

1. Select Data > Connect to Data to open the Connect to Data page.
2. Select Microsoft SQL Server.
3. Follow the steps in the Microsoft SQL Server Connection dialog box to complete the connection.
   1. Step 1 – Enter the server name or select it from the drop-down list.
      You can select a server from the drop-down menu. This menu will contain all the SQL Server databases on your computer and on the network to which you have access. Alternatively, you can type in the name of a specific server.
   2. Step 2 – Provide log in information for the server.
      Specify whether to use Windows NT Integrated security or a specific username and password.
   3. Step 3 – Test the connection.
      If the connection is successful, Tableau will alert you. If the connection is unsuccessful, verify that your user name and password are correct. If the connection continues to fail, your computer is having trouble locating the server. Contact your network administrator or database administrator.
   4. Step 4 – Use the drop-down list to select the database that you want to connect to.
   5. Step 5 – Select a table or view from the database.
      Microsoft SQL Server databases can contain multiple tables and views. Specify which table or view within the database you want to connect to. You can also connect to multiple tables or a specific query by selecting the Multiple Tables and Custom SQL options.
   6. Step 6 – Give the connection a name for use in Tableau.
      Specify a unique name for the connection. The default name is automatically generated based.

A completed Connection dialog box for Microsoft SQL Server is shown below.