> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.soraco.co/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.soraco.co/docs/faq/how-to-test-a-connection-to-a-sql-server.md).

# 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

![mceclip0.png](https://support.soraco.co/hc/article_attachments/360089805691/mceclip0.png)

![mceclip1.png](https://support.soraco.co/hc/article_attachments/360089801032/mceclip1.png)

![mceclip3.png](https://support.soraco.co/hc/article_attachments/360089806091/mceclip3.png)