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Create an ODBC connection to a database

An Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) connection is a simple connection to a database. This connection can be used by any application that is ODBC compliant to access the data. The connection will work without regard to type of database, or application trying to access data. In working with Thomson Reuters software the two most common ODBC connections are MS SQL, and MS Access. There are many other types of connections possible.
There are a couple of reasons to utilize an ODBC connection.
  • An ODBC connection can be used to diagnose database connectivity problems - this is a valuable tool to establish connectivity, support may utilize this to troubleshoot database connectivity issues.
  • Users of GoFileRoom may use an ODBC connection to a time and billing database to import clients via the GFR Lookup List Sync utility.
To establish an MS SQL ODBC connection:
Be sure you are working from the computer that needs the connection.
  1. Open the
    Control Panel
    , then select
    Administrative Tools
    .
  2. Open
    Data Sources (ODBC)
    .
  3. Select the
    System DSN
     tab.
  4. Select
    Add
    , select
    SQL Server
     from the list, select
    Finish
    .
  5. Type a
    Name
    , and
    Description
     for the connection - Be descriptive if this is going to be used for more than testing
  6. Select the SQL server the database resides on and select
    next
    .
  7. The next screen prompts you to enter how SQL server will verify the authenticity of the login. The default is Windows NT authentication, and this should be adequate in almost all circumstances.
  8. Once you have selected an authentication method select
    next
    .
  9. At the next screen change the default database to the database you are trying to establish connectivity to, if you do not see the database you need, you may not be connected to the correct SQL server. Once you have the database selected, select
    next
    .
  10. Select
    Finish
     at the next prompt, no changes are needed on this screen.
  11. A window will open, select the
    Test Data Source
     button
  12. It should return a message of Tests Completed Successfully, if you do not get this message you may have the authentication method entered incorrectly, or have a connectivity issue that needs to be addressed

This article applies to:

  • Product: GoFileRoom

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