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# Connect Microsoft SQL Server to Mammoth

> Connect Mammoth to Microsoft SQL Server, import a table from any schema or a custom T-SQL query, and save it as a dataset that refreshes daily.

The SQL Server connector imports a table from any schema, or the result of your own T-SQL query, into Mammoth as a dataset. Open it from **Data Library** > **New dataset** > **Connectors** and search for **SQL Server**. 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 SQL Server

- Any table the login can read, grouped by schema (usually `dbo`).
- The result of your own T-SQL `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 SQL Server

You need:

- A SQL Server instance reachable from the internet.
- A SQL Server login with `SELECT` permission on the tables you want.
- The server's hostname or IP address, port (default `1433`), database name, username and password.
- Mammoth's IP address allowed in Windows Firewall and any cloud security groups. See [Allow Mammoth through your firewall](https://mammoth.io/docs/learn/get-data-in/network-requirements/).

## Connect SQL Server 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 **SQL Server** and click its tile. The connection form opens.
4. Fill in the fields below. A callout below the fields shows the Mammoth IP address to allow in your database settings.
5. Click **Connect**. Mammoth checks the details and saves the connection. If the check fails, the error appears at the bottom of the form.

![SQL Server - New Connection form with Host URL, Port 1433, Username, Password, Database and Display Name](https://mammoth.io/docs/images/20261102_mssql-connection-form.webp)

| Field | What to enter | Example |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Host URL** | Hostname or IP address of your SQL Server | `sqlserver.example.com` |
| **Port** | TCP port SQL Server listens on | `1433` (default) |
| **Username** | SQL Server login with `SELECT` access | `mammoth_reader` |
| **Password** | Password for the login | |
| **Database** | Name of the database to connect to | `SalesDB` |
| **Display Name** | Optional label for this connection | `SQL Server Production` |

Once connected, the connector workspace opens on your tables.

## Query a SQL Server table with T-SQL

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.

SQL Server uses square brackets around identifiers:

```sql
SELECT [OrderID], [CustomerID], [OrderDate], [TotalAmount]
FROM [dbo].[Orders]
WHERE [OrderDate] >= DATEADD(day, -90, GETDATE())
  AND [Status] = 'Completed'
```

### Write a SQL Server 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 completed orders in the last 90 days"*.
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. [Connect a database or app](https://mammoth.io/docs/learn/get-data-in/connect-a-source/) covers the full SQL view.

## Save SQL Server 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 SQL Server 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**. For large tables, see [Speed up pipelines and connectors](https://mammoth.io/docs/learn/help/performance/).

## Troubleshoot SQL Server connections and logins

| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Connection fails | TCP/IP is off | Turn on TCP/IP in **SQL Server Configuration Manager → Protocols** |
| Connection fails | Port 1433 is closed to Mammoth | Open port 1433 inbound from Mammoth's IP address in Windows Firewall and any cloud security groups |
| Login fails | Only Windows Authentication is on | Turn on SQL Server Authentication |
| Login fails | The user doesn't exist or lacks `CONNECT` on the database | Create the login and user, and grant access (see below) |

```sql
CREATE LOGIN mammoth_reader WITH PASSWORD = 'strong_password';
CREATE USER mammoth_reader FOR LOGIN mammoth_reader;
GRANT SELECT ON SCHEMA::dbo 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.
- [Speed up pipelines and connectors](https://mammoth.io/docs/learn/help/performance/): strategies for large tables.

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