# MS SQL Connector
**Overview**
The MS SQL connector in Graphite Note allows you to import your data from a MS SQL or run custom SQL queries directly within the platform.
**Prerequisites**
Before starting, ensure your firewall allows incoming requests from the following IP address:
* 99.81.63.220
**Steps to Import Data**
**1. Create a New Dataset**
* Option 1: Go to the homepage and click on "Create" under Datasets.
* Option 2: From the datasets list, click on "New Dataset."
Option 1: Create Dataset using homepage
Option 2: Create Dataset from the Dataset List page
**2. Select MS SQL**
* Choose "MS SQL" as your dataset source and click "Next".
**3. Enter Dataset Information**
* Name: Provide a name for the dataset.
* Description: Add a short description of the data.
* Tags: Add tags for better organization.
* Click "Next" to proceed.
Name and Description for the dataset
**4. Establish a Connection**
Fill in the following connection details:
* Server Name: Enter the hostname or IP address of your MS SQL instance.
* Database Port: Enter the port number for your database (typically 1433).
* Database User: Provide the username for the database.
* Database Password: Enter the password for the database user.
* Database Name: Specify the name of the database you wish to connect to.
* **SSL (Secure Sockets Layer):** SSL is a protocol for encrypting information over the internet. If your MS SQL instance requires SSL, ensure you enable this option.
**5. Check the Connection**
* Click on "Check Connection" to validate the connection details.
**6. Write and Run SQL**
* Write the desired SQL query to fetch your data.
* Click on the "Run SQL" button to execute the query and retrieve the data.
**7. Review and Adjust Data**
* You should see all the columns from the selected dataset appearing.
* If necessary, you can change column names, data types, or data formats.
**8. Create the Dataset**
* Click on the "Create" button to finalize and create your dataset.
**Troubleshooting Connection Issues**
Ensure your firewall settings are configured to accept incoming requests from the IP address mentioned above. This is crucial for establishing a successful connection between Graphite Note and your MS SQL Server.
**Import Process**
Once the connection is validated:
* Graphite Note will initiate the data import process.
* The duration of this process depends on the size of your dataset. Small datasets will import in a few minutes, while larger datasets may take longer.
**Next Steps**
* Now that your data is imported and prepared, you can proceed to create a model without writing any code. Simply go to the [Models](https://app.gitbook.com/o/tMDHUVlAYCj1y8ercRu6/s/gnR78y9L7FDWeb4jdvdW/models/introduction) and follow the steps to build and deploy your model using Graphite Note's intuitive interface.
