Connecting to PostgreSQL, MySQL/MariaDB, SQL Server, and MS Access — schema browsing, table preview, and cross-database querying from a single interface
PostgreSQL is the primary and most fully-supported backend. Connect using host, port, database name, username, and password. The Workbench uses psycopg2 for direct native connections. Full schema browsing, table preview, SQL querying, recipe execution, and data import/export are supported.
MySQL and MariaDB are supported via the pymysql driver. All features work: schema browsing, table preview, SQL querying, and recipe execution. The SQL Execution Engine handles dialect differences — square bracket identifiers, SELECT TOP, BIT for boolean — transparently.
Microsoft SQL Server support was added in version 0.11.0. Connect via pymssql. Full schema browsing, table preview, SQL querying, and recipe execution. Feature-gated behind the mssql_db licence flag — available in Workbench-BE and Workbench Win.
MS Access databases (.accdb and .mdb files) are accessible via the MS Access Endpoint — a wire-protocol server that speaks PostgreSQL and translates queries in real time to the Jet/ACE engine via DAO COM automation. This provides read-only schema browsing, table preview, and SQL querying directly against live Access files.
The Endpoint addresses a specific problem: Microsoft's MS Access ODBC implementation has serious functional deficits. The Endpoint provides a full implementation of PostgreSQL wire protocol functionality with ~400 emulated functions.
When you save a database connection, the Workbench automatically creates dataset definitions for every table in the database. This is idempotent — re-saving a connection won't duplicate datasets. Works for PostgreSQL, MySQL, MSSQL, and Access connections.
| Database | Driver | Schema Browse | Table Preview | SQL Query | Recipe Execute | Import/Export |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PostgreSQL | psycopg2 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MySQL / MariaDB | pymysql | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - |
| SQL Server | pymssql | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | - |
| MS Access | pymsaccess | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Read-only | - |