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The Cosmos DB ODBC Driver is a powerful tool that allows you to connect with live Cosmos DB document databases, directly from any applications that support ODBC connectivity. Access Cosmos DB like you would a database - read, write, and update through a standard ODBC Driver interface.

Target Service, API
The driver connects to Azure Cosmos DB via SQL API. Supports partitioned collections and multi-region deployments.
Schema, Data Model
Models Cosmos DB containers as tables with automatic schema detection. Handles nested documents and arrays with flattening options.
Key Objects
Databases, Containers (Collections), Documents, Stored Procedures, Triggers, and User-Defined Functions. Access to all Cosmos DB data.
Operations
SQL queries translated to Cosmos DB SQL. Full CRUD operations with support for partial updates. Handles partition keys automatically.
Authentication
Azure AD authentication or Master Key/Resource Tokens. Connection requires account endpoint and authentication credentials.
Robust ODBC Access to Azure Cosmos DB
Full-featured and consistent SQL access to any supported data source through ODBC
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Standards-Compliant ODBC
ODBC 3.8 compliant native protocol based drivers.
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Unicode, 32-bit and 64-bit support
Support 32-bit and 64-bit applications and unicode ODBC APIs.
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Cross-platform ODBC (Windows/Linux/Mac)
Available for Microsoft Windows, Unix, and Mac (macOS / OS X) platforms.
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Certified ODBC Compatibility*
Our drivers undergo extensive testing and are certified to be compatible with leading analytics and reporting applications like Tableau, Microsoft Excel, and many more.
* Please visit our knowledge base to access how-to articles. -
Embedded Remoting Capabilities
Our exclusive Remoting feature allows hosting the ODBC connection on a server to enable connections from various clients on any platform (Java, .NET, C++, PHP, Python, etc.), using any standards based technology (ODBC, JDBC, etc.). ODBC Remoting is enabled using the popular MySQL and SQL (TDS) wire protocol server.
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String, Date, Numeric SQL Functions
The driver includes a library of 50 plus functions that can manipulate column values into the desired result. Popular examples include Regex, JSON, and XML processing functions.
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Collaborative Query Processing
Our drivers enhance the data source's capabilities by additional client-side processing, when needed, to enable analytic summaries of data such as SUM, AVG, MAX, MIN, etc.
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Easily Customizable and Configurable
The data model exposed by our ODBC Drivers can easily be customized to add or remove tables/columns, change data types, etc. without requiring a new build. These customizations are supported at runtime using human-readable schema files that are easy to edit.
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Enterprise-class Secure Connectivity
Includes standard Enterprise-class security features such as TLS/ SSL data encryption for all client-server communications.
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Replication and Caching
Our replication and caching commands make it easy to copy data to local and cloud data stores such as Oracle, SQL Server, Google Cloud SQL, etc. The replication commands include many features that allow for intelligent incremental updates to cached data.
See what you can do with Cosmos DB ODBC Driver
Server
Connect to Cosmos DB from SQL Server as Linked-Server. You can query Cosmos DB from familiar Transact-SQL without need of setting up another application.
Integrate Cosmos DB to your system through popular ETL / EAI tools such as Informatica PowerCenter. Standard SQL and Stored Procedures enable fast delivery of your integration projects.
Connect Cosmos DB from any ODBC compatible tools:
Desktop
Your familiar tools can connect to Cosmos DB using CData ODBC.
- Microsoft Access
- Power Query
- DBeaver
- and more
Connect to Cosmos DB — empower every team
- Easiest way to connect to Cosmos DB
- Dashboard / Reports that connect with Cosmos DB
- Data drives business, but IT teams are overwhelmed by accessing numerous siloed sources like Cosmos DB. CData ODBC Drivers offer the fastest, easiest way to connect Cosmos DB to BI tools like SAP BusinessObjects, Crystal Reports, Qlik, or Access.
Integrate Cosmos DB to your system:
- Custom application integration with SQL
- SQL Server Linked Server
- Informatica PowerCenter
Need to integrate your internal systems with Cosmos DB? CData ODBC Drivers let you do it easily—access Cosmos DB as a SQL Server Linked Server or connect via tools like Informatica PowerCenter using an SQL-based driver, no extra middleware required.
- Data Client of your choice
- Excel, MS Access Linked-table, PowerQuery
Still exporting and importing CSVs manually or with scripts? CData ODBC Drivers give you live access to Cosmos DB — no middleware or files needed. Use your preferred tools and stay in control of your Cosmos DB data.
Frequently Asked Cosmos DB ODBC Driver Questions
Learn more about Cosmos DB ODBC drivers for data and analytics integration
Does Cosmos DB support ODBC?
Not natively. However, CData offers an ODBC driver for Cosmos DB that allows you to connect to Cosmos DB data from any ODBC-compliant application, just like you would access a traditional database. This can be useful for tasks like:
- Accessing Cosmos DB from applications: Connect to Cosmos DB data in popular tools and applications including Microsoft Excel, Tableau, Power BI, and many others.
- Real-time data: You can work with live Cosmos DB data within these applications, enabling tasks like reporting and analysis.
- Connecting systems: Build data integrations between Cosmos DB and other systems.
The Cosmos DB ODBC driver is an ODBC 3.8 compliant native protocol-based driver with comprehensive ANSI SQL-92 support. This means that virtually any application that can connect to data via ODBC, can use the CData ODBC driver for real-time integration. Download a fully functional free trial of the Cosmos DB ODBC driver today to get started.
Is there an ODBC driver for Cosmos DB?
Yes, the CData ODBC driver for Cosmos DB provides universal ODBC data connectivity for Cosmos DB. The Cosmos DB ODBC driver offers a simple SQL-based layer of abstraction that simplifies real-time data access for users and applications, enabling them to communicate with Cosmos DB using a standardized set of functions. Virtually any application on any platform (including Windows, macOS, or *nix) can use the CData ODBC driver for real-time integration.
How do I connect to Cosmos DB via ODBC?
Connectivity to Cosmos DB via ODBC is easy. First, download and install the Cosmos DB ODBC driver. The download page includes separate installers for Windows, macOS, and Unix, so please select the Cosmos DB ODBC driver that matches the platform where you intend to use the driver.
Once the installation is complete, navigate to the ODBC driver documentation page. Here, you'll find a wealth of information about the installed driver. The step-by-step instructions for creating a DSN and using it to connect to Cosmos DB via ODBC are just the beginning. The documentation also provides extensive configuration details for using the Cosmos DB ODBC driver with all your favorite applications and development tools, ensuring you have all the support you need.
Where can I download an ODBC driver for Cosmos DB?
All of the CData ODBC drivers, including the Cosmos DB ODBC driver are available for download online. To get started, download a fully functional free trial of the Cosmos DB ODBC driver today.
How do I install an ODBC driver for Cosmos DB?
To install the Cosmos DB driver, simply download one of the Cosmos DB ODBC driver installers available online. The download page includes separate Windows, macOS, and Unix installers, so please select the Cosmos DB ODBC driver that matches the platform where you intend to use the driver. The installers are comprehensive setup utilities that will install all the components required to use the Cosmos DB ODBC driver on your system.
Is the Cosmos DB ODBC driver 32-bit or 64-bit?
The Cosmos DB ODBC driver is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit binaries. The Cosmos DB driver installer will allow you to install both options, and you can select the ODBC driver binary that is appropriate for the system where you intend to use the driver.
Does pyODBC work with Cosmos DB?
Absolutely. The Cosmos DB ODBC driver seamlessly supports pyODBC connectivity. For example, check out this article on our online knowledgebase that demonstrates how you can connect to Cosmos DB from PyCharm using pyODBC and the Cosmos DB ODBC driver.
However, besides ODBC support, we also provide native Python data connectivity for Cosmos DB. To learn more, check out the Cosmos DB Python Connector online.