Documentation | Help File | UI | 2D Mode | Menu | Layer | Add SQL layer

Clicking on the Layer/Add SQL layer menu provides the means for opening a vector or raster layer of a type stored entirely in a database running on the local computer or a network connected server. This menu item invokes the Connect to SQL layers dialog box which contains settings to set up the connection to the database. When opened, the database layer is automatically rendered on the Map area. If there is an open map project or layer, the new layer is added to the project and appears in the layer list on the Legend.

The program automatically attempts to read the coordinate system information of the newly opened SQL layer and, if different than the map area coordinate system, reprojects the display of the SQL layer to the Map area coordinate system.

Connect to SQL layers dialog box for connecting to SQL and spatial databases.

To open a layer stored in a database and add it to the current project

1. Click on the Layer/Add SQL layer menu item - this invokes the Connect to SQL layers dialog box.
2. Within the Connect to SQL layers dialog box choose connection type by selecting one of the following options: ADO, SQLite, FileGDB or OGR.
3. Fill the required connection fields: Connection string and Dialect. For the Connection string, an automated method can be used instead of typing the connection string. To use it click on the Build… button - the Data Link Properties dialog box will appear.
4. Within the Data Link Properties dialog box start with selecting the link provider on the Provider tab. The rest of the connection settings on the remaining tabs (Connection, Advanced, All) are specific to the environment - if necessary ask your database administrator for assistance.
5. When the settings in the Data Link Properties dialog box reflect your database configuration click on the OK button - this brings back the Connect to SQL layers dialog box.
6. [OPTIONAL] If required fill the additional connection fields: Storage and Additional layer parameters.
7. Within the Connect to SQL layers dialog box click on the Connect button - if the connection parameters loaded from the file are correct the connection is established and the list of available layers is displayed within the Available layers box.
8. Select the desired layer in the Available layers box.
9. Click on the Add layer button.
10. [OPTIONAL] To save the connection parameters of the selected layer for future use, click on the Save file button. Within the Save dialog box locate the folder where you would like to store the connection file, enter a name for the file in the File name list and click on the Save button.
11. Click on the Close button.

• To add a non-database vector or raster layer file stored on a local drive, use the Add feature.
• To add a layer stored on a remote server (such as via the web), use the Add from server feature.
• To import attribute tables from a database or data file, use the Import data feature.
• To connect a vector layer to attributes stored in a separate database, use the Join Database feature.

• To close (remove from the Map area) a SQL layer, use the Remove function.

• A list of TatukGIS supported SQL and spatial database layer types and compatible database engines is presented in TatukGIS knowledge base item KB10639
• More guidance on connecting to SQL or spatial database layers is provided in knowledge base item KB10765.