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Connect to a Microsoft SQL Server Database

This page of the Table Import Wizard enables you to specify settings to connect to a Microsoft SQL Server database. To access the wizard from the PowerPivot window, on the Home tab, in the Get External Data group, click the type of data source from which you want to import tables.

To connect to a data source, you must have the appropriate provider installed on your computer. For more information about supported data sources and providers, see Data Sources Supported in PowerPivot Workbooks.

  • Friendly connection name
    Type a unique name for this data source connection. This is a required field.

  • Server name
    Select the name, or type the name or IP address, of the SQL Server instance to connect to.

    You can use a period (.), (local), or localhost to indicate the local server.

  • Use Windows Authentication
    Specify whether Windows Authentication is used to connect to an instance of SQL Server.

    Windows Authentication mode enables a user to connect by using a Windows user account. Whenever possible, use Windows Authentication.

  • Use SQL Server Authentication
    Specify whether SQL Server Authentication is used to connect to an instance of SQL Server.

    With SQL Server Authentication, SQL Server performs the authentication itself by checking to see if a SQL Server login account has been set up and if the specified password matches the one previously recorded.

  • User name
    Specify a user name for the database connection. This option is only available if you have selected to connect using SQL Server Authentication.

  • Password
    Specify a password for the database connection. This option is only editable if you have selected to connect using SQL Server Authentication.

  • Save my password
    Specify whether the password you have entered in the Password box is stored. This option is only available if you have selected to connect using SQL Server Authentication.

  • Database name
    Select a database from the list of databases.

  • Advanced
    Set additional connection properties by using the Set Advanced Properties dialog box. For more information, see Set Advanced Properties.

  • Test Connection
    Attempt to establish a connection to the data source using the current settings. A message is displayed indicating whether the connection was successful.