---
title: Use Interactive SQL with ODBC
description: Run the Interactive SQL application for quick verification of connectivity and to test query results without using a full application.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/api-reference/web-services/t\_UsingInteractiveSQLWithODBC.html
release: australia
product: Web Services
classification: web-services
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-03-12"
reading_time_minutes: 1
breadcrumb: [ODBC and client applications, Create data sources from other apps using ODBC driver, Additional integration resources, Web services, API implementation, API implementation and reference]
---

# Use Interactive SQL with ODBC

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`.

    ```
    CONNECT odbcuser*password@ServiceNow
    ```

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

3.  Issue a `SELECT` SQL command.

    ```
    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](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/api-reference/web-services/r_MaxRowsReturned.md)**  
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](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/api-reference/web-services/r_SQLSupport.md)**  
The ODBC driver embeds a third party SQL/ODBC engine from DataDirect, a division of Progress Software.

**Parent Topic:**[ODBC and client applications](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/api-reference/web-services/r_ODBCAndClientApplications.md)