If you’ve ever wished you could explore MySQL and SSMS without slowing down your process or breaking focus, you are not alone. In today’s database world, developers and data professionals rarely work with just one platform. Yet switching between multiple tools just to run queries remains a major productivity drain. Moving from SSMS to MySQL Workbench and back breaks concentration, slows down development, and complicates otherwise simple data operations.
What if you could query MySQL data in SSMS as you do with SQL Server databases? This is precisely why the Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL is such a game-changer. Trusted for its high performance, strong security, and seamless compatibility across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments, the Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL lets you connect to and query MySQL data directly in SSMS. The process is seamless and very efficient.
In this guide, you will learn how to set up a connection between SSMS and MySQL using the Devart ODBC driver, run MySQL queries in SSMS, and the best practices to make the MySQL SSMS workflow smooth and effective.
Let's get started.
Table of contents
- Why connect MySQL to SSMS
- Prerequisite before you start
- Step-by-step guide—how to connect SSMS to MySQL via Devart ODBC Driver
- Querying MySQL data from SSMS
- Best practices for managing MySQL data in SSMS
- Conclusion
Why connect MySQL to SSMS?
In many data-driven organizations, teams don’t work with just one database platform. For instance, you might be using SQL Server for core business applications while relying on MySQL for web apps, microservices, or open-source systems. In these mixed environments, switching between tools is time-consuming, especially during tasks like data migration, cross-platform analytics, reporting, or validating query results across both servers.
Connecting MySQL to SQL Server Management Studio through ODBC becomes a viable solution. It lets you easily query, inspect, and manage MySQL data directly from the interface you already use. This connection also helps you to extend SSMS beyond its native SQL Server scope.
Beyond this, here are other reasons why you should connect MySQL and SSMS:
- Unified workflow: Query and manage both SSMS and MySQL databases from a single interface, reducing tool-switching.
- Cross-database queries: Run joins, aggregations, and reports across MySQL and SQL Server without manual exports.
- Improved productivity: Leverage SSMS features like templates, object explorer, and query editor for MySQL data.
- Reduced errors: Avoid mistakes from copying data between tools or manual processing.
- Faster data analysis: Access, filter, and aggregate MySQL data directly in SSMS for real-time insights.
- Simplified migration: Preview and move MySQL data to SQL Server more easily using linked servers.
- Centralized administration: Monitor, manage, and secure multiple databases from one environment.
- Stable & secure connections: Using a trusted ODBC driver ensures reliable performance and encrypted communication.
The Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL becomes the ideal solution for this connection. It is reliable, stable, and ensures that your MySQL SSMS connection remains fast, secure, and fully compatible across different environments. With this ODBC layer in place, SSMS becomes a versatile control center for both SQL Server and MySQL data. Let’s walk through the steps to complete this connection.
Prerequisites before you start
Before connecting MySQL to SSMS, complete the following requirements:
- Download and install Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).
- Make sure you have MySQL Server running locally or remotely. Take note of the following:
- MySQL username and password
- Remote access enabled (if connecting over the network)
- Download and install the latest version of the Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL
- Ensure you have proper MySQL permissions, including the ability to connect, read, and query the required databases and tables
Note: Compared to generic ODBC drivers that often lack modern capabilities such as full SSL encryption, Unicode support, or advanced compatibility with newer MySQL versions, the Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL stands out. It provides complete standards compliance, making it a more reliable and secure choice for production-grade environments.
Step-by-step guide—how to connect SSMS to MySQL via Devart ODBC Driver
The following steps explain how to connect SSMS to MySQL via the Devart ODBC Driver.
Step 1: Install the Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL
- Visit the official Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL download page.
- Choose the correct version for your operating system.
- Run the installer and follow the setup wizard.
- Complete the installation.
Step 2: Configure a system DSN for MySQL
To avoid getting configuration errors, here are some important requirements your working environment must meet before you start the configuration process.
The driver, studio, and SQL Server must be of the same bitness. For example, if you are using 64-bit SQL Server Engine on a 64-bit Windows platform, then configure the 64-bit version of the driver using ODBC Administrator launched from %windir%\system32\odbcad32.exe. Otherwise, configure the driver using the 32-bit version of ODBC Administrator. Launch it from %windir%\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe.
The Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL and SQL Server must be installed on the same computer.
After you have completed these requirements, follow the steps below to start configuration:
- Open ODBC Data Source Administrator.
- Select the System DSN tab.
- Click *Add *
- Select *Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL *
- Click Finish.
- Enter your DSN name (e.g., MySQL_SSMS_Connection).
- Provide your MySQL server details: a. Server: hostname or IP b. Port: default 3306 c. Database: optional d. User ID and Password
- To verify that the DSN is working, click Test Connection.
- Click OK to save.
Note: DSN connection may vary on Windows and on macOS. Check this guide on how to configure DSN for different operating systems.
Step 3: Create a linked server in SSMS
- Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).
- Expand Server Objects
- Right-click Linked Servers
- Select New Linked Server
- Complete the configuration:
-
General setting
- Linked server: MYSQL_LINKED_SERVER
- Provider: Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC Drivers
- Product name: MySQL
- Data source: The DSN name you created earlier (e.g., MySQL_SSMS_Connection)
-
Security setting
- Select Be made using this security context
- Enter your MySQL username and password
- Click OK to complete the action.
-
General setting
Note: make sure to enable RPC and RPC OUT; otherwise some queries will not work.
Step 4: Test the connection
Once the linked server is created, verify that SSMS can query MySQL successfully. Here is how you can do this:
- Run a simple test query:
SELECT *
FROM OPENQUERY(MYSQL_LINKED_SERVER, 'SELECT NOW() AS ServerTime');
If everything is configured correctly, SSMS should return the current time from the MySQL server.
You can also query actual MySQL tables, for example:
SELECT *
FROM OPENQUERY(MYSQL_LINKED_SERVER, 'SELECT * FROM cinema.employees LIMIT 10');
- If this returns data, your SSMS and MySQL connection is fully operational.
Querying MySQL data from SSMS
After setting up your linked server, you can query MySQL tables directly from SSMS, just like you would with SQL Server tables. This opens up possibilities for reporting, analytics, and hybrid database operations without leaving your familiar SSMS environment. Here are some of the ways you can do this.
Retrieve data with OPENQUERY
The simplest way to query MySQL from SSMS is using OPENQUERY. This method sends a pass-through query directly to the MySQL server and returns the results.
Example: Select all customers from a MySQL table
SELECT *
FROM OPENQUERY(MYSQL_LINKED_SERVER, 'SELECT id, name, email, country FROM Sales.customers LIMIT 10');
Explanation:
- MYSQL_LINKED_SERVER is your linked server name.
- The query inside the single quotes is a standard MySQL query.
- The result is returned as a regular SSMS result set, ready for further manipulation or reporting.
Note: DML is limited. Therefore,
- UPDATE/DELETE statements do not support JOIN operations.
- INSERT operations require strict type matching with the target table schema.
Join MySQL and SQL Server data
One of the biggest advantages of connecting MySQL to SSMS is the ability to join data across servers. For example, you can combine MySQL customer data with SQL Server order data by using the following query:
SELECT c.name, c.email, o.order_id, o.order_date
FROM OPENQUERY(MYSQL_LINKED_SERVER, 'SELECT id, name, email FROM Sales.customers') AS c
INNER JOIN SQLServerDB.dbo.orders AS o
ON c.id = o.customer_id
WHERE o.order_date >= '2025-01-01';
Explanation:
- c references the MySQL customers table.
- o references an SQL Server orders table.
- You can filter, aggregate, and join just like any SQL Server query.
This makes cross-database reporting seamless and avoids manual data exports or imports.
Optimize query performance
Using SSMS for MySQL queries introduces some overhead because data is retrieved over the linked server connection. Here are best practices to keep queries fast:
Filter early: Use WHERE clauses inside OPENQUERY to minimize data transfer.
Select only needed columns: Avoid SELECT *; choose only the columns you need.
Avoid large Joins across servers: Where possible, aggregate or filter data in MySQL before joining in SSMS.
Use Views on MySQL: Predefine queries on the MySQL server to reduce complexity and speed up retrieval.
Optimized example:
SELECT c.name, c.email, o.order_id
FROM OPENQUERY(MYSQL_LINKED_SERVER,
'SELECT id, name, email FROM Sales.customers WHERE country = ''USA''') AS c
INNER JOIN SQLServerDB.dbo.orders AS o
ON c.id = o.customer_id
WHERE o.order_date >= '2025-01-01';
By handling filtering and aggregation directly in MySQL, SSMS retrieves only the essential data, resulting in faster performance.
Best practices for managing MySQL data in SSMS
To further ensure that accessing and managing your MySQL data from SSMS is seamless and efficient, follow the best practices below:
Use trusted ODBC drivers
- Choose reliable, high-quality ODBC drivers such as the Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL for stable and efficient connectivity.
- Trusted drivers ensure full compatibility with modern MySQL versions and reduce the risk of errors.
- Avoid generic or outdated drivers, as they can cause crashes, connection issues, and unexpected query failures.
Keep SSMS and drivers updated
- Update SSMS regularly to benefit from the latest bug fixes, performance enhancements, and new features.
- Keep your ODBC driver up to date to ensure full compatibility with current MySQL versions and avoid connectivity issues.
Use encrypted connections for production.
- Always enable Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security (SSL/TLS) when connecting to production MySQL databases.
- This ensures data privacy and protects sensitive information during cross-server queries.
Save common queries in SSMS templates.
- Store frequently used queries in SSMS templates or snippets for faster access.
- This approach saves time, minimizes errors, and helps maintain consistent query standards across your team.
Conclusion
Using an ODBC driver to connect SSMS to MySQL changes the way you manage and query data across several database platforms. By linking SSMS and MySQL, you can unify database activities, eliminate the need to switch between tools, and save time while remaining within the familiar SSMS user interface.
Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL stands out as a reliable MySQL SSMS connector. It guarantees consistent performance, safe encrypted connections, and full compatibility with the latest MySQL features. With the Devart ODBC for MySQL, you enjoy a robust platform for analytics, reporting, and daily cross-database activities.
Download the Devart ODBC Driver for MySQL and start querying your MySQL data directly from SSMS today. It is faster, easier, and more efficient.
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