# Adding Data Sources

You add data sources in the ColdFusion Administrator to define connection requirements for database access.

When you add a data source, you assign it a name so that you can reference it within tags such as CFQUERY on application pages to query databases. During a query, the data source tells ColdFusion which database to connect to and what parameters to use for the connection.

| To add a data source:

1. Start the ColdFusion Administrator. On Windows, Select Start > Programs > ColdFusion Server > ColdFusion Administrator. On UNIX, enter the URL `hostname/CFIDE/administrator` in your browser.

   The Administrator prompts you for a password if you assigned one to the ColdFusion Server during install.

2. Enter a password to gain access to the Administrator.
3. Choose ODBC under the Data Sources heading on the left menu.
4. Name the data source `CompanyInfo`.
5. Select Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb) from the dropdown box to describe the ODBC driver.
6. Choose Add.
7. In the Database File field, enter the full path of the `company.mdb` Access database and click OK.
8. Choose Create to create the `CompanyInfo` data source.

   The data source is added to the data source list.

9. Locate `CompanyInfo` in the data source list.
10. Choose Verify to run the verification test on the data source.

    If the data source was created, you should see this message:

        The connection to the data source was verified successfully.

| Note: | For more information about managing data sources, See Administering ColdFusion Server.

## Data Source Notes and Considerations

When adding data sources to ColdFusion Server, keep these guidelines in mind:

- Data source names should be all one word and begin with a letter.
- Data source names can contain only letters, numbers and the underscore.
- Data source names should not contain special characters.
- Although data source names are not case-sensitive, you should use a consistent capitalization scheme.
- A data source must exist in the ColdFusion Administrator before you use it on an application page to retrieve data.