How do I use MySQL as a data source in Cloud Reporting?
The Bold Reports® Designer supports connecting MySQL database using SQL Query.
Supported Server Versions: MySQL (5.1, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, and 8.0)
What does the MySQL connector support?
The Bold Reports® Cloud Web Report Designer connects to MySQL with the following options.
| Item | Supported |
|---|---|
| Server versions | MySQL 5.1, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, and 8.0 |
| Default port | 3306 |
| Query design | Query mode only. You write and execute a SQL query. |
| Connection options | Basic options (server, port, username, password, database) or advanced options (your own connection string) |
| Authentication types (advanced options) | Authentication, Prompt, None |
| Save password | Embeds the credentials in the report saved in the Report Server. A downloaded report does not keep them. |
How to choose the MySQL data source
In the Web Report Designer, you choose MySQL in the connection type panel after you click NEW DATA in the DATA configuration panel.
- Click the Data icon in the configuration panel.
- In the DATA configuration panel, click NEW DATA.
- In the connection type panel, select MySQL.
Create MySQL data source with basic options
When you create a new data source, the NEW DATASOURCE panel opens with basic options.
- In the Name field, enter a data source name without special characters.
- In the Server Name field, enter the remote server name, such as
myserver.domain.com. - In the Port field, enter the port number. The default port is
3306. - In the Username field, enter the username of your MySQL server.
- In the Password field, enter the password of your MySQL server.
- Enable the Save password option to embed the credentials within the report when saving it in Bold Reports® Report Server.
- Choose or enter an existing database, for example, Northwind.
- Click Connect to open the query design pane, and then enter and execute your SQL query. The results appear in the preview grid.
Only query mode is supported for MySQL data source.
- Click Finish to save the data source and start designing the report.
Create MySQL data source with advanced options
To connect to MySQL with advanced options, click Advanced Options in the New Data panel.
The panel switches to advanced options, where you build your own connection string.
Enter the connection string, and then enter the username and password of the MySQL server.
Click Connect to open the query design pane, and then enter and execute your SQL query. The results appear in the preview grid.
Only query mode is supported for MySQL data source.
Click Finish to save the data source and start designing the report.
Click Basic Options to switch back to the basic connection settings.
Authentication types for advanced connection
The MySQL advanced options support three authentication types: Authentication (database credentials), Prompt (prompted credentials), and None (no credentials).
Authentication: Supply a user name and password, such as a database login, to access the database. The credentials are passed to the data source for authentication.
Enable the Save Password option to embed the credentials within the report when saving it in Report Server.
When you download the report, the credentials are not saved with the report data.
Prompt: When the connection uses prompted credentials, each user who accesses the report must enter a user name and password on preview to retrieve the data.
None: Choose None when the connection string already provides the authentication details or any other arguments required to connect to the data source.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drag and drop MySQL tables instead of writing SQL?
No. Only query mode is supported for the MySQL data source. After you click Connect, enter your SQL query in the query design pane and execute it to preview the data.
Why can’t Cloud Reporting connect to my MySQL server?
Cloud Reporting reaches your MySQL server from fixed IP addresses. Allow inbound connections from those addresses in your database firewall or security group. See IP addresses to whitelist for remote database access.
Are my MySQL credentials kept when I download a report?
No. Save Password embeds the MySQL credentials only when you save the report in the Report Server. When you download the report, the credentials are not saved with it.
How do I make each viewer enter their own MySQL credentials?
Use Advanced Options and set the authentication type to Prompt. Each user who opens the report then enters a user name and password on preview to retrieve the data.
Why is MySQL missing from the connection type panel?
An administrator may have disabled the MySQL connector. Only the connectors enabled on the Settings page of the Report Server appear when you create a data source. See Connectors settings.