Creating a connection using Data Link Properties

After obtaining an OLE DB provider for your database (see Obtaining an OLE DB provider for your database), you can create a database connection by using the Data Link Properties dialog box in Windows.

Important: You can use this method only if the OLE DB provider you want to use is installed on the same Windows computer as Dreamweaver.

To create a database connection using Data Link Properties:

1. Open an ASP.NET page in Dreamweaver, and then open the Databases panel (Window > Databases).

   The panel displays the connections defined for the site.

2. Click the Plus (+) button on the panel and select OLE DB Connection from the pop-up menu.

   The OLE DB Connection dialog box appears.

3. Click the Build button.

   The Data Link Properties dialog box appears. This Windows dialog box displays the OLE DB providers currently on the Windows computer running Dreamweaver.

4. Complete the Data Link Properties dialog box and click OK.

   Dreamweaver inserts a connection string in the OLE DB Connection dialog box.

5. Click Test.

   Dreamweaver attempts to connect to the database. If the connection fails, double-check the connection string. If the connection still fails, check the settings for the folder Dreamweaver uses to process dynamic pages (see Specifying where dynamic pages can be processed).

6. Click OK.

   The new connection appears in the Databases panel.

Related topics

• Troubleshooting Database Connections