Add/Modify Connection (Microsoft SQL Server Database File)

The Add Connection dialog box for Microsoft SQL Server Database File allows you to specify settings, such as database file name and passwords, for this connection. This dialog box is available when Microsoft SQL Server Database File is selected in the Choose/Change Data Source dialog box. To use a different provider, click the Change button and select a different data source or provider in the Change Data Source dialog box.

Note

Visual Studio 2012 has changes that apply to database files (.mdf). For more information, see Local Data Overview.

Note

In Visual Studio 2013, you can connect to a SQL Server database from either SQL Server Object Explorer or the Data Connections node in Server Explorer. SQL Server Object Explorer provides a view that is like SQL Server Management Studio. To open this explorer from the menu bar, choose View, SQL Server Object Explorer. For more information, see Connected Database Development.

Note

Your computer might show different names or locations for some of the Visual Studio user interface elements in the following instructions. The Visual Studio edition that you have and the settings that you use determine these elements. For more information, see Customizing Development Settings in Visual Studio.

• Data Source
  Shows the data source and provider chosen in the Data Source dialog box.

• Change button
  Brings up the Change Data Source dialog box where you can change the data source or provider.

• Database file name
  Shows the name of the database file for this connection. To choose a different database file, type the database name into the text box or click the Browse button to locate one.

• Use Windows authentication
  Allows a network user to access the database for this connection without supplying a separate User ID or password because these are obtained from the Windows NT network security process.

• Use SQL Server authentication
  Sets the logon requirements so you must enter a user name and password to open the connection from Server Explorer.

• User name
  Provides a text box in which to enter a User ID. When you open this connection, the logon dialog box will require that you enter this User ID to access the database. The database administrator must first grant permission for you to access the database in order for the connection to succeed.

• Password
  Provides a text box in which to enter a password. When you open this connection, the logon dialog box requires you to enter this password to access the database. The database administrator must first grant permission for you to access the database in order for the connection to succeed.

• Save my password
  Saves and encrypts your password so that you do not need to enter a password each time you open the connection.

• Advanced button
  Displays the Advanced Properties dialog box, where you can specify or view settings for the connection. The content of this tab changes depending on which provider you selected in the Data Source dialog box.

• Test connection button
  Tests the connection without closing the dialog box so you can make adjustments to the settings if the connection does not succeed.

• OK button
  Commits the connection settings.

See Also

Tasks

How to: Connect to a Database from Server Explorer

Reference

Advanced Properties

Choose/Change Data Source Dialog Box

Add/Modify Connection (ODBC)

Add/Modify Connection (Oracle)

Add/Modify Connection (Microsoft SQL Server)

Add/Modify Connection (Microsoft Access)

Add/Modify Connection (OLE DB)