Connect to Microsoft SQL Server-compatible databases from any applications that support ODBC connectivity. The ODBC Driver offers Direct Mode access to SQL Server through standard Java Database Connectivity, providing extensive compatibility with current and legacy MS SQL versions. Supports secure SQL connectivity and authentication via SSL, Kerberos, Integrated Security, etc.
SQL Server ODBC Connectivity Features
- Connect to live Microsoft SQL Server data, for real-time data access with the Microsoft SQL Server ODBC Driver
- Full support for data aggregation and complex JOINs in SQL queries
- Secure connectivity through modern cryptography, including TLS 1.2, SHA-256, ECC, etc.
- Seamless integration with leading BI, reporting, and ETL tools and with custom applications via the SQL Server Connector.
Target Service, API
The driver provides native connectivity to Microsoft SQL Server including all versions from SQL Server 2000 onwards. Supports Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance, and on-premises SQL Server deployments.
Schema, Data Model
Models SQL Server with complete access to databases, schemas, tables, views, stored procedures, functions, and system objects. Full metadata discovery including data types, constraints, indexes, and relationships.
Key Objects
Databases, Schemas, Tables, Views, Stored Procedures, Functions, Triggers, Indexes, Constraints, User-Defined Types, and system objects. Access to all SQL Server database objects.
Operations
Full T-SQL support with complete ANSI SQL-92 compliance. Supports all DML and DDL operations, stored procedure execution, complex queries, CTEs, window functions, and SQL Server-specific features like MERGE and temporal tables.
Authentication
Supports Windows Authentication (Integrated Security) and SQL Server Authentication. Connection properties include Server, Database, Username, Password. Supports SSL encryption and Always Encrypted columns.
Robust ODBC Access to Microsoft SQL Server
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 SQL Server ODBC Driver
Server
Connect to SQL Server from SQL Server as Linked-Server. You can query SQL Server from familiar Transact-SQL without need of setting up another application.
Integrate SQL Server 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 SQL Server from any ODBC compatible tools:
- SAP BusinessObjects
- SAP Crystal Reports
- MS Power BI
- QlikView/Sense
- Tableau
- SAS
- and more
Desktop
Your familiar tools can connect to SQL Server using CData ODBC.
- Microsoft Access
- Power Query
- DBeaver
- and more
Connect to SQL Server — empower every team
- Easiest way to connect to SQL Server
- Dashboard / Reports that connect with SQL Server
- Data drives business, but IT teams are overwhelmed by accessing numerous siloed sources like SQL Server. CData ODBC Drivers offer the fastest, easiest way to connect SQL Server to BI tools like SAP BusinessObjects, Crystal Reports, Qlik, or Access.
Integrate SQL Server to your system:
- Custom application integration with SQL
- SQL Server Linked Server
- Informatica PowerCenter
Need to integrate your internal systems with SQL Server? CData ODBC Drivers let you do it easily—access SQL Server 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 SQL Server — no middleware or files needed. Use your preferred tools and stay in control of your SQL Server data.
Frequently Asked SQL Server ODBC Driver Questions
Learn more about SQL Server ODBC drivers for data and analytics integration
Does SQL Server support ODBC?
Yes, the CData ODBC driver for SQL Server allows you to connect to SQL Server data from any ODBC-compliant application, just like you would access a traditional database. This can be useful for tasks like:
- Accessing SQL Server from applications: Connect to SQL Server data in popular tools and applications including Microsoft Excel, Tableau, Power BI, and many others.
- Real-time data: You can work with live SQL Server data within these applications, enabling tasks like reporting and analysis.
- Connecting systems: Build data integrations between SQL Server and other systems.
The SQL Server 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 SQL Server ODBC driver today to get started.
Is there an ODBC driver for SQL Server?
Yes, the CData ODBC driver for SQL Server provides universal ODBC data connectivity for SQL Server. The SQL Server 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 SQL Server 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 SQL Server via ODBC?
Connectivity to SQL Server via ODBC is easy. First, download and install the SQL Server ODBC driver. The download page includes separate installers for Windows, macOS, and Unix, so please select the SQL Server 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 SQL Server via ODBC are just the beginning. The documentation also provides extensive configuration details for using the SQL Server 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 SQL Server?
All of the CData ODBC drivers, including the SQL Server ODBC driver are available for download online. To get started, download a fully functional free trial of the SQL Server ODBC driver today.
How do I install an ODBC driver for SQL Server?
To install the SQL Server driver, simply download one of the SQL Server ODBC driver installers available online. The download page includes separate Windows, macOS, and Unix installers, so please select the SQL Server 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 SQL Server ODBC driver on your system.
Is the SQL Server ODBC driver 32-bit or 64-bit?
The SQL Server ODBC driver is available in both 32-bit and 64-bit binaries. The SQL Server 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 SQL Server?
Absolutely. The SQL Server ODBC driver seamlessly supports pyODBC connectivity. For example, check out this article on our online knowledgebase that demonstrates how you can connect to SQL Server from PyCharm using pyODBC and the SQL Server ODBC driver.

