SQL Server connection string dialog help

Description

When you create a connection string for SQL Server, it's easy to forget how to format the instance names. As a result, there is a dialog help within the Create SQL Connection String Dialog specifically for the SQLServer connection type.

If you have not used this feature, one way to reach the Create SQL Connection String Dialog is by clicking on the Tools tab at the top of the screen. Under Tools, select External Databases and under External Databases select AlphaDAO connections. This should load the AlphaDAO connections dialog, if you have nothing to connect click the New button at the bottom of the screen. This will load the New AlphaDAO connection Dialog. Type in the name of your connection and click Build. This should take you to the Create SQL Connection String Dialog. There are other ways to reach this dialog, you can visit the Create SQL Connection String Dialog page for more examples. Once you are in the Create SQL Connection String dialog click on the Connection Type drop down and choose the SQLServer option from the bottom of the list. You should see the following...

images/create_sql_connection.png

Procedure:

  1. Click on the How do I format server names for SQL Server instances? link, you will see a helpful dialog.

    images/format_sql_server_names.png

If you have forgotten the instance name, you can check it in SQL Server Configuration Manager or SQL Server Management Studio.