Azure SQL SharePoint Integration

Azure SQL data can be integrated and synchronized codeless with SharePoint on-premise lists using the Layer2 Business Data List Connector. In case you are looking for Online data integration, you will find the right tool here.

Benefits of Azure SQL Data Integration in SharePoint

• Very easy to setup in a few minutes: Create a SharePoint list, click "Connect to external data source" in the list settings, select the data provider, enter connection settings and data query as shown below. That's it.
• No changes in the ODBC data source required: No programming, no additional tools.
• Connected list data always up-to-date: The connected ODBC data query updates automatically in background (via SharePoint Timer Job), or alternatively, on-demand (Action Menu / Ribbon Button, URL, via workflow, API).
• One-way and optional two-way connection: You can write-back the changes made in the SharePoint list to the external ODBC data source automatically with full CRUD (Create / Update / Delete) functionality. The SharePoint list can act as a full-featured front-end for external systems.
• Well-known BCS "external list" issues and limitations are completely solved: ALL list features are to you. Views, sorting and grouping, filters, calculated fields, search, managed metadata. Lookups, additional columns and attachments can be created as normal. All kind of lists can be used, e.g. contacts, tasks, calendar, or custom lists. You can take external data offline via Outlook.
• Workflows and notifications on external data change: List workflows and change notifications per RSS or email can be used to take business actions in SharePoint, when external ODBC data records are changed.
• Application logging, reporting, and notifications: A SharePoint list is used to store settings and log information. SharePoint item versioning and workflows can be used to manage reporting and notifications. Direct notification per email in case of errors is supported as well.
• Highest Security, best performance, easy to maintain: SharePoint Secure Store can be used to store security relevant configuration information safely in one central place. Users are working with the SharePoint lists as an external data cache with highest security and performance. Large data sources can be synchronized.
• 100+ more external systems supported: Layer2 Data Providers included (e.g. for external SharePoint or Office 365, Exchange, Dynamics ERP/CRM, OData, XML/RSS, SOAP), vendor specific data providers can be used (e.g. SQL Server Oracle, MySQL etc.), 3rd party data providers also supported, e.g. for custom ERP/CRM, Facebook or Twitter. See here for supported systems and applications.

Azure SQL Specific SharePoint List Configuration Settings

In the SharePoint General List Settings click "Connect to external data source".

Figure 1: Example connection configuration to connect a native SharePoint list to an Azure SQL data table via Layer2 Business Data List Connector.

Please note the following specific settings.

• ​Please select the SQLClient Data Provider from the list of data providers. It should be installed on any Windows OS. Please install from SQL client tools, if not already installed.
• You can use a connection string like this to connect:
• Server=TCP:myServer.database.windows.net; Database=myDatabaseGUID; User Id=MyUserID; Password=myPassword; ...
• You can make use of all SQL queries supported by SQL Azure and the data provider. Please note that your query must be updatable in case you want to write to. It must have a primary key for this.
• Please verify the select statement. If there are any issues, please check your access rights first (execute as admin). Start with a very basic query and increase complexity step-by-step. Select as few fields as required to increase performance. Use the data preview to check out the result of your query.
• Primary Key: Please enter column name(s) with unique values, e.g. Col1, Col2.
• You can map your data fields to specific external source fields in the Layer2 Business Data List Connector. Please take care about data types (simple type conversions are supported).
• Write-operations are fully supported but need an updatable query (e.g. joins are mostly not), appropriate access rights, also primary key(s) to auto-generate CRUD statements.
• No installation or changes are required at the data source or data destination.
• No programming required for setup a connection and sync.
• No need to open your local network for access from outside.

Azure SQL Connection Details

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Provider: 
.NET Framework Data Provider for SqlServer

Connection string sample: 
Server=tcp:myDomain.database.windows.net,1433;Data Source=myDomain.database.windows.net;Initial Catalog=myDataBase;Persist Security Info=False;User ID=myUserName;Password=myPassword;​

Select Statement sample:
SELECT [Id] ,[Column1] ,[Column2] FROM [dbo].[Table]

Ready for your next steps?