Get SQL Server Database Connection String Easily From Visual Studio

Introduction

The following procedure explains how to easily get a SQL Server database connection string from Visual Studio.

Before beginning to learn this, you should know the following details of SQL Server.

• Server Name
• Username
• Password
• Database name that you want to connect to

Step 1. Open Visual Studio.

Step 2. Go to "View" -> "Server Explorer" as shown in the following

Step 3. Right-click on "Data Connections" and select "Add Connection" or click on the "Connect to Database" icon.

Step 4. You will get an "Add connection" window. In that window, use the following procedure

• Provide "Server name"
• Select the "Use SQL Server Authentication" radio button.  Then submit the Username and password.
• If you enter the correct details, then you can select the database you want to connect to from the "Select or enter a database name" dropdown list.
  

Step 5. Click on the "Test Connection" button. If you have submitted the correct credentials, then you will get the "Test connection succeeded" confirmation message as follows

Step 6. Now your connection is working successfully, so, now click on the "Ok" button. You will get one data connection under "Data Connections".

Step 7. Right-click on your connection and select "Properties".

You will get the Properties window for your connection. Find the "Connection String" property and select the "connection string".

So now your connection string is in your hands; you can use it anywhere you want.