Database actions

To connect to a database, use the Open SQL connection action. A connection string specifies all information necessary to connect to a database, such as the driver, the database, server names, and the username and password.

The following connection string connects to an Excel database:

Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=C:\myFolder\myExcelFile.xlsx;Extended Properties="Excel 12.0 Xml;HDR=YES";

The following connection string connects to an Access database:

Provider=Microsoft.ACE.OLEDB.12.0;Data Source=C:\myFolder\myAccessFile.accdb; Persist Security Info=False;

Note

Power Automate for desktop is a 64-bit application, only 64-bit installed drivers are available for selection in the Open SQL connection action.

Configure a connection string manually

To manually build a connection string:

1. Select Build connections string to open the Data Link Properties dialog. The data link tool helps you compose the required connection string step by step.

2. Once you access the wizard, select the correct driver for the database under Provider.

   

3. Next, under the Connection tab, enter the remaining details such as the server name, the username, password, and database name. Select Test Connection to test that the connection string connects successfully.

   

4. Specify a connection timeout and other network settings in the Advanced tab.

   

Open SQL connection

Open a new connection to a database.

Input parameters

Argument	Optional	Accepts	Default Value	Description
Connection string	No	Text value		The connection string to use to connect to the database

Variables produced

Argument	Type	Description
SQLConnection	SQL connection	A handle for the new SQL connection

Exceptions

Exception	Description
Can't connect to data source	Indicates a problem connecting to the data source
Invalid connection string	Indicates that the specified connection string is invalid

Execute SQL statement

Connect to a database and execute a SQL statement.

To execute an SQL query, use the Execute SQL statement action. Begin by providing a valid connection to the respective database. Select the desired option in the Get connection by property. You can either provide an SQL connection variable (you can create one by using the Open SQL connection action) or by providing the Connection string. Then input the SQL query you want to execute in the SQL statement property. You can also modify the timeout seconds of the action or leave the default option (30 seconds).

Input parameters

Argument	Optional	Accepts	Default Value	Description
Get connection by	N/A	Connection string, [SQL connection variable]	SQL connection variable	Specifies whether to create a new connection from a given connection string or select an already open connection
SQL connection	No	SQL connection		The handle for the new SQL connection
Connection string	No	Text value		The connection string to use to connect to the database
SQL statement	No	Text value		The SQL statement to execute to the database
Timeout	Yes	Numeric value	30	The maximum amount of time to wait for a result from the database

Variables produced

Argument	Type	Description
QueryResult	Datatable	The result from the database in the form of a data table, with rows and columns

Exceptions

Exception	Description
Can't connect to data source	Indicates a problem connecting to the data source
Invalid connection string	Indicates that the specified connection string is invalid
Error in SQL statement	Indicates there's an error in the given SQL statement

Close SQL connection

Close an open connection to a database.

Input parameters

Argument	Optional	Accepts	Default Value	Description
SQL connection	No	SQL connection		The handle for the new SQL connection

Variables produced

This action doesn't produce any variables.

Exceptions

This action doesn't include any exceptions.