Connecting to Databases
Unlike many statistics programs, in SOFA Statistics you can connect directly to data you have in any supported SQL-type database (currently MS Access, MySQL, MS SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and SQLite).
NB if you have data in a spreadsheet or stored as csv see Importing spreadsheet/csv data
To connect to an SQL-type database, SOFA Statistics needs the necessary login details e.g. password. Rather than having to enter these repeatedly, you can store the login details as part of a project configuration. Most typically, you will only be wanting to connect to one database server e.g. MySQL. SOFA Statistics lets you store details for as many as you like e.g. if some of your data is in SQLite and some is in MS Access then you just enter connection login details for both.
- Click on “Select Project”
- Click on “New” to configure new project or “edit” to edit an existing project. NB the SOFA default project cannot be edited.
- Enter the required details. Tip - hovering over text boxes will often suggest a likely value e.g. “localhost” for host.
- Click the “Update” button to save your settings
The selected project settings are displayed on the main SOFA form
A video is available showing how to connect directly to your SQL data: Connecting to your SQL data video