# Microsoft SQL Server

- URL: https://betteranalyst.com/docs/connectors/mssql
- Updated: 2026-11-12
- Author: Better Analyst

Connect Microsoft SQL Server or Azure SQL Database to Better Analyst. Covers read-only user creation, network setup, and authentication options.

Connect your Microsoft SQL Server database to analyze data using natural language and create visualizations.

## Prerequisites

- SQL Server 2016 or higher
- Database credentials
- Network access from Better Analyst servers
- A user with SELECT permissions

## Connection Details

| Field | Description | Example |
| - | - | - |
| Host | Server hostname or IP | `sql.example.com` |
| Port | SQL Server port (default 1433) | `1433` |
| Database | Database name | `analytics` |
| Username | SQL Server login | `readonly_user` |
| Password | User password | `********` |

## Setup Steps

### 1. Create a Read-Only User

```sql
-- Create a login at server level
CREATE LOGIN formulabot WITH PASSWORD = 'your-secure-password';

-- Switch to your database
USE your_database;

-- Create a user mapped to the login
CREATE USER formulabot FOR LOGIN formulabot;

-- Grant read access
ALTER ROLE db_datareader ADD MEMBER formulabot;
```

### 2. Configure Network Access

For on-premises SQL Server:

- Enable TCP/IP in SQL Server Configuration Manager
- Configure Windows Firewall to allow port 1433
- Add Better Analyst IPs to allowed connections

For Azure SQL:

- Add Better Analyst IPs to server firewall rules
- Enable "Allow Azure services" if applicable

### 3. Connect in Better Analyst

1. Go to **Connectors** > **Add Connector**
2. Select **Microsoft SQL Server**
3. Enter your connection details
4. Click **Test Connection**
5. Save when successful

## Azure SQL Database

For Azure SQL Database connections:

1. Find connection details in Azure Portal

2. Add Better Analyst IPs to firewall rules:

   - Go to SQL Server > Networking
   - Add client IP or Better Analyst IPs

3. Use the full server name (e.g., `yourserver.database.windows.net`)

Azure SQL uses port 1433 by default. Connection strings from Azure Portal include all required details.

## Authentication Options

### SQL Server Authentication

Standard username/password authentication. Works with both on-premises and Azure.

### Azure Active Directory

For Azure SQL, you can use AAD authentication:

1. Configure AAD admin in Azure Portal
2. Contact Better Analyst support for AAD integration details

## Example Questions

- "What are total sales by region this quarter?"
- "Show the top 50 customers by order count"
- "Calculate average transaction value by day"
- "List all products with inventory below 100 units"

## Working with Schemas

SQL Server databases often use multiple schemas. Reference them in your questions:

- "Show data from dbo.Orders"
- "Query the sales.Transactions table"

Grant schema access:

```sql
GRANT SELECT ON SCHEMA::sales TO formulabot;
```

## Troubleshooting

### Connection Refused

- Verify TCP/IP is enabled in SQL Server Configuration Manager
- Check port 1433 is open in firewall
- Ensure SQL Server Browser service is running if using named instances

### Login Failed

- Verify username and password
- Confirm SQL Server authentication is enabled (mixed mode)
- Check the user exists in the target database

### Timeout Errors

- Check network connectivity
- Verify firewall rules
- For large queries, ask for aggregated data

### Named Instance

For named instances (e.g., `server\instance`):

- Use port number instead of instance name
- Find port in SQL Server Configuration Manager

## Best Practices

### Use Read-Only Access

Only grant `db_datareader` role to prevent modifications.

### Enable Encryption

Configure SSL/TLS encryption in connection settings for secure data transfer.

### Limit Table Access

Use Data Access Controls to restrict which tables Better Analyst can query.

## Next Steps

- [Connect PostgreSQL](https://betteranalyst.com/docs/connectors/postgresql)
- [Connect Supabase](https://betteranalyst.com/docs/connectors/supabase)
- [Connect BigQuery](https://betteranalyst.com/docs/connectors/bigquery)
- [Connect Snowflake](https://betteranalyst.com/docs/connectors/snowflake)