Sql.Database

Sql.Database is a Power Query M function that retrieves SQL tables, views, and stored functions from a specified SQL Server database. The function returns a table of SQL objects, with optional parameters to control query behavior and connection settings.

Compatible with: Power BI Service Power BI Desktop Excel Microsoft 365

Syntax

Sql.Database(
   server as text,
   database as text,
   optional options as nullable record,
) as table

Description

Returns a table of SQL tables, views, and stored functions from the SQL Server database database on server server. The port may be optionally specified with the server, separated by a colon or a comma. An optional record parameter, options, may be specified to control the following options:

  • Query : A native SQL query used to retrieve data. If the query produces multiple result sets, only the first will be returned.
  • CreateNavigationProperties : A logical (true/false) that sets whether to generate navigation properties on the returned values (default is true).
  • NavigationPropertyNameGenerator : A function that is used for the creation of names for navigation properties.
  • MaxDegreeOfParallelism : A number that sets the value of the "maxdop" query clause in the generated SQL query.
  • CommandTimeout : A duration that controls how long the server-side query is allowed to run before it is canceled. The default value is ten minutes.
  • ConnectionTimeout : A duration that controls how long to wait before abandoning an attempt to make a connection to the server. The default value is driver-dependent.
  • HierarchicalNavigation : A logical (true/false) that sets whether to view the tables grouped by their schema names (default is false).
  • MultiSubnetFailover : A logical (true/false) that sets the value of the "MultiSubnetFailover" property in the connection string (default is false).
  • UnsafeTypeConversions : A logical (true/false) that, if true, attempts to fold type conversions which could fail and cause the entire query to fail. Not recommended for general use.
  • ContextInfo : A binary value that is used to set the CONTEXT_INFO before running each command.
  • OmitSRID : A logical (true/false) that, if true, omits the SRID when producing Well-Known Text from geometry and geography types.
  • EnableCrossDatabaseFolding : A logical (true/false) value that, if true, allows query folding across databases on the same server. The default value is false.
The record parameter is specified as [option1 = value1, option2 = value2…] or [Query = “select …”] for example.

Examples

Here’s an example on how to use the ContextInfo option. 

Sql.Database(
  "localhost", 
  "AdventureWorksDW2017", 
    [
      Query = "SELECT * FROM DIMDATE", 
      ContextInfo = Text.ToBinary( "I love Power Query" )
    ]
  )

Learn more about Sql.Database in the following articles:

Other functions related to Sql.Database are:

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Last update: September 20, 2023 | Contribute » | Contributors: Rick de Groot
Microsoft documentation: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powerquery-m/sql-database
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