Connect SQL Server to clariBI
Give clariBI a read-only SQL Server login, choose the tables, and it copies them next to your other sources and builds a dashboard for them. Azure SQL connects the same way.
| Connection | Built in. Host, port (1433 if empty), database, user name and password, plus an optional schema (the login's default schema, normally dbo, if empty) and table list. |
| Access | SELECT statements only. Use a user that can only read the tables you want to share. |
| Rows | Each sync copies up to your plan's row cap per table (3,000 rows on Free and Trial, up to 100,000 on Enterprise). |
| Network | The server must be reachable from the internet. Private and local addresses (10.x, 192.168.x, 127.0.0.1) are refused. |
| Plans | Every plan, including Free, within its data source limit. Asking questions in plain English needs the trial or Starter and above. |
About Microsoft SQL Server
Microsoft SQL Server is a relational database, common behind line-of-business and finance applications. Azure SQL is Microsoft's hosted version of it.
clariBI connects over the network, reads the schema, and runs SELECT statements only. The password is stored encrypted. The login is always encrypted, and the whole session is encrypted when the server forces encryption, as Azure SQL does. We tested the connector against SQL Server 2022.
Vendor site: microsoft.com/sql-server
What clariBI syncs
When you connect, clariBI tests the connection and syncs right away: it reads the schema (tables, columns and types) and copies every table in it, or only the tables you list. With the schema field empty, clariBI reads the login's default schema, normally dbo.
A sync re-reads each table and copies up to your plan's row cap (3,000 on Free and Trial, 5,000 on Lite, 10,000 on Starter, 50,000 on Professional and 100,000 on Enterprise), so point clariBI at summary tables or views (daily revenue, weekly signups) rather than raw event tables. There is no incremental sync. Click Sync now to copy fresh rows. clariBI also syncs on its own when the copy is more than a day old and a question, a dashboard refresh or a report uses it.
The database must accept connections from the internet on its port. clariBI refuses private, local and internal addresses such as 10.x, 192.168.x and 127.0.0.1, so a server reachable only inside your network or VPN cannot be connected. Allow clariBI through your firewall; write to support@claribi.com for the address. A connection attempt gives up after 15 seconds, and queries run with a statement timeout.
How to connect SQL Server
Create a read-only user
In SQL Server, create a login and database user for clariBI and grant it SELECT on the schema or tables you want to share, and nothing else.
Enter the connection
In clariBI, open Settings > Integrations > Add Data Source > Databases > SQL Server and enter host, port, database, user and password. Add a schema or a table list if you want to limit what is read. Click Test Connection, then Create Data Source.
Sync the tables
clariBI copies the tables right away and builds a dashboard for them. You can ask questions once the first sync finishes.
Questions you can ask
Asking in plain English uses AI credits, so it needs the trial or a Starter, Professional or Enterprise plan. Totals and trends are computed from the synced rows; the AI plans the question, picks the chart and writes the explanation.
- "Which customers in the invoices table are more than 60 days overdue?"
- "How does monthly revenue in our ERP database compare with HubSpot deals closed?"
About the SQL Server connector
Can clariBI write to my database?
clariBI only runs SELECT statements and blocks queries with write keywords. A user with read-only grants makes sure of it on the database side.
Is the connection encrypted?
The login is always encrypted. The whole session is encrypted when the server forces encryption, as Azure SQL does. There is no encryption switch in the form.
Does it work with Azure SQL?
Yes. Use the server name ending in database.windows.net as the host, and allow clariBI in the server's firewall rules.
How many rows does a sync copy?
Up to a row cap per table that depends on your plan: 3,000 on Free and Trial, 5,000 on Lite, 10,000 on Starter, 50,000 on Professional and 100,000 on Enterprise. Larger tables are copied in part, so summary tables and views give complete answers.
Can clariBI reach a database on a private network?
No. clariBI connects over the internet and refuses private, local and internal addresses such as 10.x, 192.168.x and 127.0.0.1. Give the server a public host name or address and allow clariBI through your firewall.
Which other databases can clariBI connect?
PostgreSQL, MySQL and Oracle, with the same form. SQLite is not offered; export those tables as CSV and upload them.
Which clariBI plans include SQL Server?
Every plan can connect it, within its data source limit: 3 on Free, 5 on Lite, 10 on Starter, 50 on Professional and 100 on Enterprise. Each source gets an automatic dashboard on every plan. Asking questions in plain English and AI reports need the trial or a Starter, Professional or Enterprise plan.
Try SQL Server in clariBI
The trial lasts 14 days, includes 50 AI credits and needs no card. When it ends, your account moves to the Free plan and keeps its data and dashboards.