How to Open a Database Connection in VDM

Open a saved Connection Profile in VDM to browse the tables and fields available to your account and begin working with Views and reports. This guide explains how to open the connection and confirm that it is active.

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Before You Begin

• Have a Connection Profile created on the computer where you will use it.
• Confirm that your database account has access to the required data.
• Confirm that the database server and any required network connection are available.
• Make sure any required database driver or ODBC configuration is in place.

If you need to create a profile first, see How to Create a Database Connection Profile in VDM. For background information, see Understanding Connection Profiles in VDM.

Open a Database Connection

Step 1: Launch VDM

Open VDM and wait for the application to finish loading.

Step 2: Locate the Connection Profile

Find the profile you want to use in the Tables and Fields panel.

If the profile is not listed, select Load All on the Database tab to load the available connections. If it is still missing, confirm that the profile has been created on this computer.

Step 3: Open the Connection

Click the desired Connection Profile. VDM attempts to connect using the information saved in that profile.

Step 4: Verify the Connection

Check for the following indicators:

• A green checkmark beside the Connection Profile.
• An active connection status.
• Available tables beneath the connection. Expand a table to display its fields.

Confirm that the active connection is the data source you intend to use before building or running a View.

Connection Indicators

Connection Profile

The green checkmark identifies an open connection in the Tables and Fields panel.

Connection Status

Check the connection status to confirm which connection is active.

Tables and Fields

Expand the connection and any applicable schema, then expand a table to browse its available fields.

Troubleshoot a Connection That Does Not Open

If the connection does not open and a red X remains beside the profile, check the connection details and the availability of the data source.

• Authentication: Confirm that the saved username, password, or other authentication settings are correct.
• Server and network access: Confirm the server or data source name and that the database is available from this computer.
• Drivers and ODBC: Confirm that the required driver is installed and any required DSN is configured.
• Profile location: Connection Profiles are machine-specific. Recreate the profile if it was copied from another computer.

Use Test Connection when reviewing the profile’s configuration. If the connection succeeds but expected tables or fields are missing, ask your database administrator to check your account’s permissions and schema access.

Record any error message before contacting your database administrator or BridgeWorks Support.

Video Tutorial

Next Steps

Once the connection is active, browse the available tables and fields and use them to build your View. Verify that you are using the correct data source and that the expected data is available.

Need Help?

Contact support@bridgeworksllc.com for assistance. Include your VDM version, connection type, the error message, and whether the profile appears in the Tables and Fields panel. Do not include passwords or other secret credentials.