How to Create a Free SQL Database in Azure (with
Screenshots)
Getting started with SQL databases in the cloud is easy with
Microsoft Azure. Follow the step-by-step tutorial below to create your own free
Azure SQL Database and run queries using the Azure Portal.
1. Log in to the Azure Portal
Go to https://portal.azure.com/
and sign in with your Microsoft account. On the homepage, you’ll find options
like Create a resource, Azure SQL Database, and more.
2. Create a New SQL Database
Click on Azure SQL Database or use the search bar to
find it. Click the Create button to start the creation process.
3. Configure Database Basics
Fill out the basic details:
- Subscription:
Choose your Azure subscription.
- Resource
group: Create a new resource group or select an existing one.
- Database
name: Enter a meaningful name.
- Server:
Click "Create new" to set up a SQL server (see next step).
4. Set Up SQL Database Server
In the server creation form, provide:
- Server
name: A unique name.
- Location:
Select the Azure region.
- Authentication:
Set admin login and password.
5. Configure Networking Options
On the networking screen:
- Set Allow
Azure services and resources to access this server to No.
- Set Add
current client IP address to Yes.
6. Additional Settings: Add Sample Data
On the Additional settings tab, choose Sample
under “Use existing data”. This loads the AdventureWorksLT sample database for
learning and testing.
7. Review and Create
Click Review + create at the bottom and let Azure
deploy your database.
8. Query the Database
Once deployed, go back to the list of your SQL databases and
select the one you’ve just created.2_Create.jpg
- Open Query
editor (preview).
- Log in with the credentials you set for your server.
9. Sample Query and Output
Here’s how the query and results look in the Azure Portal’s
Query Editor :
sql
SELECT * FROM [SalesLT].[Customer]
You’ll see a result table with columns such as CustomerID,
NameStyle, Title, and FirstName.
