Live Connections and Extract Refreshes to MS SQL Server Fail When using Non-Default Ports Or Server Syntax After Migration to AWS

Issue

When publishing live connections, connecting live, or refreshing extracts using non-default ports or server syntax after the migration to AWS, the below connection errors may occur:

Tableau Online can't connect to the following database or publish with a live connection: [database name]

[unixODBC][FreeTDS][SQL Server]Unable to connect: Adaptive Server is unavailable or does not exist
[unixODBC][FreeTDS][SQL Server]Unable to connect to data source

Environment

Tableau Online 10ay, 10az
Live Connections
MS SQL Server

Resolution

To continue using non-default ports, use the <server name>, <port number> format. See Microsoft SQL Server for more information.

If using server syntax to specify the database name on the same field as the server (<server>\<database>) we recommend moving the database name to the database field in the connector, rather than in the server field. While we do support "<server>,<port>" we do not support <server>\<database>,<port> server fields. See Microsoft SQL Server for more information.

Additional Information

For any existing published workbooks or data sources using the <server name>\<database>, <port number> syntax, you may be able to update them directly using the "Edit Connection" option in Tableau Online. See Edit Connections on Tableau Online for more information.

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