How to create DSN for MySQL

To connect a MySQL database to Bold Reports® Enterprise Edition, create a DSN with the 32-bit MySQL ODBC driver.

What is an ODBC DSN?

An ODBC Data Source Name (DSN) stores the information Bold Reports® needs to connect to a database on a remote database server. A system DSN provides access to multiple users, rather than only the user who created it.

How do I install the MySQL ODBC driver?

Download and install the 32-bit Connector/ODBC driver from the Downloads section of the MySQL website.

Note: Bold Reports® is a 32-bit application, so it will not support 64-bit ODBC connector.

How do I create the DSN?

After you install the MySQL ODBC driver, create a DSN for the MySQL database in the 32-bit ODBC Data Source Administration tool that Bold Reports® uses.

Open ODBC Data Source Administration Tool

  1. Open Control Panel and select System and Security.

    Control Panel Home

  2. Select Administrative Tools from the list of options.

    Select Administrative Tools

  3. Select ODBC Data Sources (32-bit) from the list of options.

    Select ODBC Tool

Create DSN with MySQL ODBC Driver

  1. In the ODBC Datasource Administration (32-bit) tool, navigate to System DSN and click Add to add a new DSN.

    Add new DSN

  2. Select the MySQL ODBC Driver from the list of drivers and click Finish.

    Select ODBC Driver

  3. The MySQL Connector/ODBC Configuration tool opens. Fill in the requested details:

    MySQL Connector/ODBC Configuration

    • Data Source Name: Name of the DSN that you use to connect to the MySQL database from Bold Reports® On-Premises Edition.
    • Description: Description of the DSN (Optional).
    • TCP/IP Server: Server that holds the MySQL database.
    • Port: Port number provided for the MySQL database.
    • User: Username used to connect to MySQL.
    • Password: Password of the corresponding user.

  4. The ODBC Data Source Administration (32-bit) tool lists the created DSN.

    DSN list

Frequently asked questions

Can I use the 64-bit MySQL ODBC connector?

No. Bold Reports® is a 32-bit application, so it does not support the 64-bit ODBC connector. Install the 32-bit Connector/ODBC driver.

Why create a system DSN instead of a user DSN?

A system DSN provides access to multiple users, rather than only the user who created it.

See also