Azure SQL Database is a fully managed relational database service offered by Microsoft Azure. It provides a cloud-based platform for hosting and managing SQL Server databases, allowing users to build, scale, and secure applications without the need to manage underlying infrastructure, making it an efficient and flexible solution for various data-driven applications in the cloud.
Authorize Connection to Azure SQL
Prerequisites
- A running Azure SQL instance reachable by Dataddo. If you use a firewall, allow the Dataddo IPs.
- A database user with rights to create tables and to insert, update, and delete rows in the target schema.
Create the authorizer
In Authorizers, click Authorize New Service and select Azure SQL, then fill in the fields:
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| A name for this authorizer in Dataddo | A label so you can recognize the connection later. |
| Server IP or Hostname | Public hostname of the Azure SQL database. You can find this under Server name in the Azure portal |
| Database (Catalog) | The database you want to use for reading or writing the data. Sometimes this might be referred to as Catalog. |
| Username | Username for authentication. |
| Password | Password for authentication. |
| Port | Port to connect to Azure SQL Database. The default value is 1433. |
| TLS/SSL Settings | Keep the value on PREFERRED, this will ensure using the SSL connection when available. If you are using a self-signed certificate, please use SKIP VERIFY Default: true. |
Click Save. Dataddo validates the connection.
Create an Azure SQL Destination
Go to Destinations, click Create Destination, and select Azure SQL. Give the destination a name, choose the authorizer you created, and click Save.
Write Modes
The write mode decides how each flow run changes the target table. Azure SQL offers the standard set below, and the default is insert. Which modes are available, and whether you can switch modes on an existing flow, can depend on the table's current state.
| Mode | Meaning | Composite Key |
|---|---|---|
insert |
Appends new rows on every run. | No |
insert_ignore |
Appends rows, skipping rows that already exist. | Yes |
truncate_insert |
Empties the table, then writes the current data. | No |
upsert |
Inserts new rows and updates existing rows matched by the Composite Key. | Yes |
update |
Updates existing rows matched by the Composite Key; fails rows with no match. | Yes |
update_ignore |
Updates matched rows, skipping rows with no match. | Yes |
delete |
Deletes rows matched by the Composite Key. | Yes |
Composite Key
The Composite Key is the set of columns whose combined values identify each row. Every mode except insert and truncate_insert needs one. You can select up to 4 columns.
Table Naming
Dataddo creates the table on the first write if it does not exist. When you name the table:
- Table name: table name should contains only letters or numbers.
- You can put date-range patterns such as
{{1d1}}in the table name.
How to Create a Flow to Azure SQL
- Go to Flows and click Create Flow.
- Add one or more sources.
- Add Azure SQL as the destination and pick the authorizer.
- Choose a write mode, and a Composite Key for modes that need one.
- Set the schema and the table name.
- Set the schedule and click Save.
Troubleshooting
Invalid schema or table name
The schema or table name does not match Azure SQL's naming rules. Fix the name in the flow to match the rules in Table Naming, then restart the flow.
Insufficient privileges
The database user cannot create tables or write rows in the target schema. Grant the user create, insert, update, and delete rights, then restart the flow.
Cannot connect to Azure SQL
Dataddo cannot reach the database. Check the host, port, and credentials in the authorizer, and make sure the server is reachable by Dataddo. If you use a firewall, allow the Dataddo IPs.