Customizing SQL Server Connectivity for the Database Import Wizard

If you want to override or update the default SQL Server connection string for the Microsoft SQL Server database—specified in the Server Name field, you need to define a custom SQL Server connection string under the <SQLScripts> node in the Settings.xml file, which is commonly stored within the project directory or under the user profile’s InstallShield configuration folders. By doing so, you can explicitly control how InstallShield connects to the target database during the import process.

For instance, you can define an SQL Server connection string under the <SQLScripts> node in the Settings.xml, as shown below:

This capability is especially useful for enabling modern authentication mechanisms, such as, Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory). By including the appropriate connection string parameters required for Entra ID–based authentication, InstallShield can securely connect to SQL Server instances that enforce advanced, identity-based access controls.

Note:Support for Microsoft Entra ID authentication is available only when working with the Microsoft SQL Server Database 2022 or later versions. Earlier versions of an SQL Server do not provide the necessary capabilities required for this authentication method.