A database connection is a reference to a Database Management System. These systems are beneficial when voluminous or complex data needs to be queried. A very important advantage of such a connection is that the query functionality is extended by the usage of functions, online calculations, joins between multiple tables and so on.
A database connection also includes which table, view, query or SQL statement is used of the database specified. When multiple tables or views are used within one presentation, they all have to be created as a separate database connection.

All databases systems that are available on the market and those that support a native communication via an own driver, OLE DB Provider or ODBC driver for Microsoft, can be used in combination with DataPoint.

A typical and common example of a database is a Microsoft Access database. Larger database systems like Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, Informix and Sybase can be used too.

Some database systems can be made public on a web server so that you can connect to them via an internet connection. Examples of these types of database are Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL. DataPoint can be connected to such remote systems too.

Set up a new connection to a database in order to link it to shapes on your slides. Click DataPoint > Slide show properties and select the Databases tab. Now click Add to add a new connection.

Enter a unique name of your connection e.g. Sales data.

Click the Edit button to set your database properties. First you have to select the correct provider depending on the type of database you are connecting to. For Microsoft Access database the Microsoft Jet 4.0 OLE DB Provider is used.

On the connection tab you enter the necessary information to locate your database and to log on to the system. You can click the Test connection button to validate your input.

Close OK to confirm your entries.

Now you have to indicate which database object you want to use in this connection.

Choose Stored data object and choose a data object from the list to identify which table, query or view you want to use in your presentation.

Alternatively you can choose to enter a custom SQL statement and validate this command immediately by using the Test button.

Other types of 'databases' can be used that have an OLE DB provider available. For example you can perfectly connect your presentation to a Microsoft Outlook mailbox or directly to a Microsoft Project file as they all support OLE DB connections.