# Connect to an Azure database

Perform the following steps to connect to your database:

1. Start the PDI client and create a new transformation or job.

   See the **Pentaho Data Integration** document for instructions on creating a PDI transformation.

   **Note:** You can also use the Pentaho User Console to make this connection. See [Define data connections](/install/10.2-install/pentaho-configuration/tasks-to-be-performed-by-a-pentaho-administrator/define-data-connections.md)
2. In the **View** tab of the **Explorer** pane, double-click on the **Database connections** folder. The **Database Connection** dialog box appears, as shown below:

   ![Database connection dialog for Azure SQL](/files/zRXA0Btv2v4q6nHrO8WJ)
3. Enter your database connection information.

   | Field                         | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
   | ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
   | **Host Name**                 | The name of the Azure SQL server instance.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
   | **Database Name**             | The name of the Azure SQL database to which you are connecting.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
   | **Port Number**               | The TCP/IP port number. The Azure SQL Database service is only available through TCP port 1433. You must set your firewall to allow outgoing TCP communication on port 1433.                                                                                                                                                                     |
   | **Authentication method**     | The authentication method used to connect to the Azure SQL DB instance. The default is SQL Authentication.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |
   | **Username**                  | The username used to connect to the database.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
   | **Password**                  | The password used to connect to the database.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
   | **Always Encryption Enabled** | Select to use encryption. See [Use the Always Encryption Enabled option](/install/10.2-install/pentaho-configuration/tasks-to-be-performed-by-a-pentaho-administrator/define-data-connections/enter-database-connection-information/connect-to-an-azure-sql-database/use-the-always-encryption-option.md) for instructions on using this option. |
   | **Client id**                 | The unique client identifier, used to identify and set up a durable connection path to the server.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
   | **Client Secret Key**         | The unique name of the key value in the Azure Key Vault.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
4. Click **Test**to verify your connection.


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