Setting up connections
A connection describes a SQL Server and how to sign in to it. Connections are managed via Manage connections in the sidebar or under Settings → Connections.
New connection
New connection opens the form:
| Field | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Name | Your choice, shown in the sidebar, e.g. "Production HQ". |
| Server | server, server\instance or server,port. For Azure SQL the full name, e.g. myserver.database.windows.net. |
| Database | Optional. The server view shows every database anyway. |
| Authentication | Windows, SQL Server or Azure AD (see below). |
| Trust server certificate | For servers with a self-signed certificate, such as a local development instance. |
| Timeout (sec.) | How long NovaSql waits when connecting. |
| Colour tag | Green (Dev), Yellow (Test), Red (Prod) or Blue. |
Test checks the connection right away. Duplicate in the list copies a connection, handy for several servers with the same sign-in.
Sign-in methods
- Windows: signs in with your current Windows account. No password needed.
- SQL Server: a SQL login with user name and password.
- Azure AD: signs in with a Microsoft Entra ID account. When connecting, the Microsoft sign-in window opens, including multi-factor authentication.
Entering a connection string directly
If you have a ready-made ADO.NET connection string, tick Enter connection string directly and paste it, for example:
Server=srv\inst;Database=MyDb;User Id=sa;Password=...;TrustServerCertificate=True
Check reads server and database from the string and shows them. NovaSql uses the string unchanged; only the database is replaced when you switch between databases.
The colour tag
The colour appears next to the connection in the sidebar and as a small dot on every query tab of that connection. You can tell at a glance whether a tab is working on production.
Passwords
Passwords and connection strings are stored encrypted (Windows DPAPI). Only your own Windows account on this computer can decrypt them. Details in Privacy and your data.
Opening and closing a connection
Open connection… at the top of the sidebar opens a saved connection. Several connections can be open at the same time. The close icon next to a connection disconnects it. What comes next is described in Server view and object explorer.