# How to test a connection to a SQL Server

To test a connection to your SQL Server:

* Create a file on your computer with the extension ".udl". Example: test.udl
* Right-mouse click the file and select Open
* On the Provider tab, select "Microsoft OLE DB Driver for SQL Server"
* Go to the Connection tab
* Enter your SQL Server instance name. Example: MyServer\Instance1
* Select "SQL Server Authentication"
* Enter the name of a login user
* Enter the password of the user
* Select the database
* Click Test Connection

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