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# Connect MySQL to Mammoth and import tables or SQL

> Connect Mammoth to a MySQL database, import a table or custom SQL query, let AI write the SQL, and save it as a dataset that refreshes daily.

The MySQL connector imports a whole table, or the rows, columns or joined data from your own SQL query, into Mammoth as a dataset. Open it from **Data Library** > **New dataset** > **Connectors** and search for **MySQL**. Project Admins create the connection; Project Editors can start datasets from a connection the project already has. Which connectors you can add depends on your plan.

## What you can bring in from MySQL

- Any table the database user can read.
- The result of your own `SELECT` query.
- A query Mammoth writes from a plain-language description, when AI query is on for your workspace.

The dataset can refresh daily or only when you ask.

## Before you connect MySQL

You need:

- A MySQL server reachable from the internet.
- A database user with `SELECT` permission on the tables you want to import.
- The server's hostname or IP address, port (default `3306`), database name, username and password.
- Mammoth's IP address added to your MySQL firewall allowlist. The connection form shows the address. See [Allow Mammoth through your firewall](https://mammoth.io/docs/learn/get-data-in/network-requirements/), which includes the user setup needed for external access.

## Connect MySQL to Mammoth

These steps follow the shared flow in [Connect a database or app](https://mammoth.io/docs/learn/get-data-in/connect-a-source/).

1. Go to the **Data Library** and click **New dataset**.
2. Choose **Connectors**.
3. Search for **MySQL** and click its tile. The connection form opens.
4. Fill in the fields below.
5. Click **Connect**. Mammoth checks the details and saves the connection. If the check fails, the error appears at the bottom of the form.

![MySQL - New Connection form with Host URL, Port 3306, Username, Password, Database and Display Name](https://mammoth.io/docs/images/20261102_mysql-connection-form.webp)

| Field | What to enter | Example |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Host URL** | Hostname or IP address of your MySQL server | `mysql.example.com` |
| **Port** | TCP port MySQL listens on | `3306` (default) |
| **Username** | Database user with `SELECT` access | `mammoth_reader` |
| **Password** | Password for the database user | |
| **Database** | Name of the database to connect to | `ecommerce_db` |
| **Display Name** | Optional label for this connection in Mammoth | `MySQL Production` |

Once connected, the connector workspace opens on your tables.

## Query a MySQL table in the SQL view

1. In **Tables**, click a table. Mammoth opens its rows with the `SELECT *` query that read them, shown above the rows.
2. To change the query, click **Edit SQL**, edit it, and click **Run** (or press Ctrl+Enter).
3. To keep only some columns, tick them in the table header.

MySQL uses backticks around identifiers:

```sql
SELECT `order_id`, `customer_id`, `total_amount`, `created_at`
FROM `orders`
WHERE `created_at` >= DATE_SUB(NOW(), INTERVAL 90 DAY)
  AND `status` = 'shipped'
```

### Write a MySQL query from a description

When AI query is on for your workspace, click **Edit SQL** to see the **Describe the data you need...** box above the editor.

1. Describe what you want, for example *"all shipped orders in the last 90 days with customer IDs"*.
2. Click **Write SQL**. Mammoth writes the query from your table structure.
3. Check the query, then click **Run**.

If a query fails, click **Fix with AI** to ask the chat to correct it.

![Edit query dialog with table list, AI description box, SQL editor, Run button, and data preview](https://mammoth.io/docs/images/20260615_101336_Screenshot2026-05-211559321.webp)



[Connect a database or app](https://mammoth.io/docs/learn/get-data-in/connect-a-source/) covers the full SQL view.

## Save MySQL data as a dataset

1. Click **Save as dataset**.
2. Enter a **Name** and choose a folder under **Save in**.
3. Under **Keep it up to date**, choose **Daily at 06:00** or **Only when I ask**.
4. Under **On each refresh**, click **Change** and pick what a refresh does (see the table below).
5. Click **Save as dataset**. When the dataset is ready, click **Open dataset**.

| On each refresh | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| **Replace all rows** | Matches the source after every refresh. This is the default. |
| **Add only new rows** | Keeps what you have and adds rows above the last value of a **Key column** |
| **Keep only the newest rows** | Empties the dataset, then brings in rows since the last refresh (needs a **Key column**) |
| **Add every row again** | Shown when the query has no column that can serve as a key column, so each refresh adds a full copy |

## Refresh MySQL data on a schedule

Choosing **Daily at 06:00** creates a [Dataset Refresh](https://mammoth.io/docs/learn/automate/refresh-a-dataset/) automation for the dataset. To run it on another schedule, edit that automation. For a dataset saved with **Only when I ask**, create a Dataset Refresh automation yourself.

After you save, you can change what a refresh does in the dataset's **Update method** setting. It offers **Replace all data**, **Add new rows only** and **Keep only the newest rows**.

## Troubleshoot MySQL connections

| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Connection fails | Mammoth's IP address isn't allowed | Allow Mammoth's IP address in your MySQL grants and firewall |
| Connection fails | The MySQL user has only a `localhost` host entry | Create the user with an external host entry (see below) |

Create a user that can connect from outside `localhost`:

```sql
CREATE USER 'mammoth_reader'@'%' IDENTIFIED BY 'password';
GRANT SELECT ON your_database.* TO 'mammoth_reader'@'%';
```

## Related

- [Connect a database or app](https://mammoth.io/docs/learn/get-data-in/connect-a-source/): the shared connector workspace steps and the full SQL view.
- [Allow Mammoth through your firewall](https://mammoth.io/docs/learn/get-data-in/network-requirements/): the IP address to allow and how.
- [Manage saved connections](https://mammoth.io/docs/learn/get-data-in/connections/): edit, reuse or delete this connection.
- [Refresh a dataset](https://mammoth.io/docs/learn/automate/refresh-a-dataset/): change when the dataset refreshes.
- [Connector reference](https://mammoth.io/docs/learn/get-data-in/connectors/): every source Mammoth connects to.

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Source: https://mammoth.io/docs/learn/get-data-in/connectors/mysql.md · Updated: 2026-11-08