# How to Connect an MS Access Database to SQL Server

> To connect your database to SQL Server, click External Data in MS Access, select ODBC Database, configure the Machine Data Source by choosing SQL Server, and enter your details to finish the integration.

Canonical: https://livedemo.ai/tutorials/how-to-connect-an-ms-access-database-to-sql-server/
Updated: 2026-10-05
Interactive demo: https://story-api.livedemo.ai/workspaces/62255d3d3304f17b8f5e2d03/stories/692a3338ab56e05a00fd73ee/preview?step=1

## Steps

1. Inside the main dashboard of your MS Access database, head over to the top menu bar and click 'External Data'.
2. Select 'ODBC Database' from the available options under the Import & Link section.
3. Following that, select your preferred data source and destination. Tap 'OK' afterwards to proceed.
4. Click the 'Machine Data Source' tab.
5. Subsequently, tap 'New'.
6. Specify the type of data you wish to use as the source and then click 'Next'.
7. After that, pick 'SQL Server' from the list of options and then tap 'Next'.
8. Check the configuration details, then tap 'Finish'.
9. Once done, head back to the Machine Data Source tab and then select the newly configured SQL Server data source. Tap 'OK' afterwards to continue.
10. Review the configuration details one more time and then click 'OK'.
11. Finally, provide your preferred Data Source Name, Description, and SQL Server. After that, click 'Finish' to save and enable the integration of your MS Access database with SQL Server.