Use Interactive SQL with ODBC

task brazil Updated Sep 10, 2026 1 min read t_UsingInteractiveSQLWithODBC.md
Raw file servicenow.com

Run the Interactive SQL application for quick verification of connectivity and to test query results without using a full application.

Before you begin

Role required: admin

Procedure

  1. In Windows, navigate to Start > Programs > ServiceNow ODBC > Interactive SQL (ODBC).

  2. Connect to the base instance by entering the following command and selecting the appropriate user credentials in the format without special characters: ID*password@DSNName.

    Text
    CONNECT odbcuser*password@ServiceNow

    [Omitted image "ConnectingTheSQL.png"] Alt text: Connecting the SQL.

  3. Issue a SELECT SQL command.

    Text
    SELECT NUMBER, short_description FROM incident;

    Make sure to include the semicolon at the end of your query statement. Otherwise, you are presented with a 'Cont>' prompt.

    [Omitted image "SampleSQLQuery.png"] Alt text: Sample SQL Query.

  • Specify the maximum number of rows returned
    By default, ServiceNow only returns 100 rows of data with each iSQL query. If you need to return more rows of data, set the maxrows parameter for the iSQL session.
  • SQL support
    The ODBC driver embeds a third party SQL/ODBC engine from DataDirect, a division of Progress Software.

Parent Topic:ODBC and client applications

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