How to manage database connections in dbForge Studio

dbForge Studio for SQL Server offers you a visual, quick, and simple way to manage database connections through Database Explorer.

By default, Database Explorer opens when you start dbForge Studio for SQL Server. To open the window, on the View menu, click Database Explorer or press CTRL+W, L.

DB Explorer

By default, Database Explorer displays recently used database connections. When opening Database Explorer for the first time, the list of available connections is empty.

Database Explorer can be used to create and manage SQL Server connections, perform tasks to databases or database objects.

Create a database connection

1. On the Database Explorer toolbar, click New Connection.

In Database Explorer, right-click the connection and select New Connection on the shortcut menu.

DB Connection Manager

2. Set up connection parameters and click Connect. For more information, see How to connect to a SQL Server database.

Windows connection coloring

Window connection coloring allows you immediately know which server you’re connected to. You can add coloring for each server connection.

Tabs Coloring

Open a database connection

In Database Explorer, double-click a connection that was closed. The connection icon will be changed to and the connection node will display a list of databases assigned to the connection.

Alternatively, in the Database Explorer, select the connection you want to open and on the Database Explorer toolbar, click Open Connection.

Close a database connection

In Database Explorer, right-click the connection and select Close. The connection icon will be changed to .

Alternatively, in the Database Explorer, select the connection you want to close and on the Database Explorer toolbar, click Close Connection.

Edit a database connection

In Database Explorer, right-click a connection and select Modify Connection. The Database Connection Properties dialog box opens where you can edit the connection parameters.

Delete a database connection

In Database Explorer, right-click a connection and select Delete. The message appears asking “Are you sure you want to remove database connection ‘name’?”. To confirm the deletion, click Yes. To cancel, click No.

View database connection information

In Database Explorer, right-click a connection and select Properties or press F4. The Properties pane opens displaying information about the connection properties.

DB Properties