Setting Up SQL Server as a Data Source - GrowthBook Documentation

GrowthBook runs SELECT queries against Microsoft SQL Server to compute experiment results. Create a dedicated read-only login, allow network access from GrowthBook, then add the connection in Metrics and Data → Data Sources. Grant SELECT only on the schema that holds experiment assignment and metric events.

CREATE LOGIN growthbook WITH PASSWORD = 'use-a-strong-password';
CREATE USER growthbook FOR LOGIN growthbook;
GRANT SELECT ON SCHEMA::dbo TO growthbook;

Replace dbo with your analytics schema if events live elsewhere.

2. Allow network access

If you use GrowthBook Cloud, whitelist 52.70.79.40 in your SQL Server firewall, security group, or Azure allowlist. SQL Server typically listens on port 1433. Self-hosted GrowthBook runs in Docker. To reach a database on the host machine, use host.docker.internal as the server instead of localhost.

3. Add SQL Server in GrowthBook

Go to Metrics and Data → Data Sources.
Choose MS SQL Server (guided setup if you use a supported event tracker, or manual setup for a custom schema).
Enter the connection fields:

Field	Notes
Server	Public hostname or IP. Cloud cannot reach `localhost`.
Port	Default `1433`.
Database	The database GrowthBook should query.
User / Password	The read-only login from step 1.
Request Timeout	Optional, in seconds. Empty disables the extra timeout. The driver default is 15 seconds.
Default Schema	Optional. Prefixed onto generated SQL.
Enable encryption	Turn on TLS. Defaults to on for new connections.
Trust server certificate	Allows self-signed certificates.

Save. GrowthBook runs a SELECT 1 query to confirm the connection.

4. Map assignments and metrics

After the connection succeeds, define experiment assignment queries and Fact Tables. SQL Server supports the Schema Browser, so you can inspect tables and columns while writing SQL.