Creating a .udl file

The following procedure outlines how to create the .udl file necessary to use the OLE DB Adapter.

  1. In Explorer, either create a new directory or select an existing directory in which to create a data link.
  2. Highlight the directory. From the File menu, select New > Microsoft Data Link.

    A file with the .udl extension is created.

  3. Name the file and double-click it.

    The Data Link Properties dialog appears.

  4. On the Provider tab, select the OLE DB provider for your platform from the OLE DB Providers list.
  5. Click Next.

    The Connections tab appears.

  6. Enter or select from the list the name of the data source.
  7. Enter appropriate values in the User name and Password fields that will be used only to test the connection, not at runtime.
  8. In the Select initial catalog to use field, enter the database to be used.
  9. Click Test Connection. If successful, you can go to the Database Interface Designer Database Definition dialog.

Now you are ready to use this .udl file for the Data Link settings in the Database Definition dialog.