Create an Azure SQL data source with Jet Reports

Overview

Before you can create a Data Source connection, you must first download and install the latest version of Jet Reports from the insightsoftware download site.

You’ll also need the following files and information:

• Your Jet License Activation Code
• Database Information:
• Azure Server Name
• Database user name and password

Process

To create a new Universal data source connection to your Azure SQL database.

1. Start by accessing the Settings > Data Source Settings from the Jet ribbon.

   

2. On the Data Source Settings window, click the Add button.

   

3. On the New Data Source window, provide a name for your Azure SQL data source and select Other (Universal) for the type.  Click OK.

   

4. On the Data Source Settings window, click the Configure... button.

   

5. On the Provider tab of the Data Link Properties window, you may find several SQL Server providers...

   

   Azure SQL uses a special version of SQL Server with the best match currently being "SQL Server Native Client 11.0" (using an earlier provider may result in decreased capabilities).

   Some database products include their own, specific database driver.  You'll want to check with the software provider of your database to determine the correct driver to use.

   If "SQL Server Native Client 11.0" does not appear in your list, you will need to obtain a copy from Microsoft and install it.

   At the time of this writing, these links were provided by Microsoft for this purpose:

   SQL Server 2012 Native Client 32-bit Package: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=239647&clcid=0x409 64-bit Package: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=239648&clcid=0x409

   (be sure to select the package that matches the bit-level of your version of Windows)

6. Depending upon which driver you choose, the appearance of the Connection tab can vary.

   

   On the Connection tab, specify:

   • The name of the Azure server using the format: azure_server_name.database.windows.net
   • The logon information: the user name (in the format: user_name@azure_server_name ) and password (be sure to check the Allow saving password box)

   Some database providers do not (by default) save the password even when the Allow Saving Password box is checked.

   If you experience this issue, go to the All tab and ensure that Persist Security Info is set to True:

   

7. You can then click the Test Connection button to verify your settings. You should receive a confirmation message:

   

8. Once you have successfully tested your connection from the Data Link Properties , click OK and the Data Source Settings window should show that you are licensed for the data source.

   

   If the text reads that " You are not licensed for this data source ", click that text to get additional information about the issue.

9. You can then click the Test Connection button and should see the Test Connection Succeeded message.

   Click OK.

   

10. If you would like this data source to be the default data source that the Jet Excel add-in will use, click the Set Default button on the Data Source Settings window.

    Click OK and y our Azure SQL data source is now ready for use with Jet Reports.