> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.growthbook.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Setting Up SQL Server as a Data Source

> Connect SQL Server to GrowthBook with a read-only login, whitelist the Cloud IP if needed, and enter server, port, encryption, and timeout settings.

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**.

## 1. Create a read-only login

Grant `SELECT` only on the schema that holds experiment assignment and metric events.

```sql theme={null}
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](https://app.growthbook.io), 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

1. Go to **Metrics and Data** → **Data Sources**.
2. Choose **MS SQL Server** (guided setup if you use a supported event tracker, or manual setup for a custom schema).
3. 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.                                                          |

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

## 4. Map assignments and metrics

After the connection succeeds, define [experiment assignment queries](/app/datasources#experiment-assignment-queries) and [Fact Tables](/app/metrics). SQL Server supports the Schema Browser, so you can inspect tables and columns while writing SQL.