Connecting Salesforce to SQL Server: A Comprehensive Guide

Published: December 6, 2024 - 11 min read

Julian Alvarado

Are you looking to connect Salesforce to SQL Server? Whether you need to sync customer data, integrate sales information, or maintain data consistency across platforms, this guide will walk you through three proven methods to establish a reliable connection between Salesforce and SQL Server.

Why Connect Salesforce to SQL Server?

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s explore the benefits of connecting these two powerful platforms:

  1. Real-time Sales Analytics: By combining Salesforce CRM data with SQL Server’s robust analytics capabilities, you can create comprehensive sales performance dashboards and reports.
  2. Automated Data Synchronization: Say goodbye to manual data entry. Automatically sync customer information, leads, and opportunities between platforms to save time and reduce errors.
  3. Enhanced Data Consistency: Maintain a single source of truth by ensuring data accuracy across both systems while leveraging SQL Server’s advanced data processing capabilities.

Top 3 Methods to Connect Salesforce to SQL Server

There are several ways to establish a connection between Salesforce and SQL Server. Here’s a quick overview of the top three methods:

SolutionBest For
CoefficientBusiness users who need a no-code solution for bi-directional data sync between Salesforce and SQL Server using spreadsheets as an intermediate layer
SSIS (SQL Server Integration Services)Technical teams requiring native Microsoft tools for complex ETL processes and data transformation
Salesforce Data LoaderOrganizations seeking a native Salesforce solution for basic data import/export operations without real-time sync requirements

Let’s explore each method in detail.

1. Coefficient: The No-Code Solution

Image9

Coefficient offers a spreadsheet-based solution that simplifies the connection between Salesforce and SQL Server. By using familiar interfaces like Google Sheets and Excel, users can create automated data pipelines without writing code.

Step-by-Step Implementation:

Step 1. Install Coefficient

For Google Sheets

  • Open a new or existing Google Sheet, navigate to the Extensions tab, and select Add-ons > Get add-ons.
  • In the Google Workspace Marketplace, search for “Coefficient.”
  • Follow the prompts to grant necessary permissions.
  • Launch Coefficient from Extensions > Coefficient > Launch.
  • Coefficient will open on the right-hand side of your spreadsheet.
Coefficient Addon Installation menu in Google Sheets?

For Microsoft Excel

  • Open Excel from your desktop or in Office Online. Click ‘File’ > ‘Get Add-ins’ > ‘More Add-Ins.’
  • Type “Coefficient” in the search bar and click ‘Add.’
  • Follow the prompts in the pop-up to complete the installation.
  • Once finished, you will see a “Coefficient” tab in the top navigation bar. Click ‘Open Sidebar’ to launch Coefficient.
Excel desktop showing coefficient tab insulation.

Step 2. Connect and Import Data from Salesforce

In the Coefficient sidebar, click “Import from…” and select Salesforce.

Coefficient sidebar showing import options with Salesforce selected.

After authorizing your connection > ‘From Object & Fields’ > Select the objects (Contacts, Leads, Opportunities) and fields you want to import.

Field Selection Interface for Salesforce Data Import.

Customize your input and apply necessary filters. Then, click ‘Import.’

Import configuration screen with filter options?

Step 3. Export Data from Your Spreadsheet to MS SQL

Before starting, make sure you’ve connected to MS SQL.

Then, navigate to Coefficient’s menu >Click “Export to…”

-Coofficial menu highlighting export to

Select MS SQL.

Coefficient menus showing export options

Choose the tab in your workbook that contains the data you want to export and specify the header row that contains the database field headers.

Workbook header row, selection interface.

Specify the table in your database where you want to insert the data and choose the appropriate action (Insert, Update, Delete).

Database table mapping configuration

Complete the field mappings for the export. Then, confirm your settings and click “Export” to proceed.

Image11 Field mapping confirmation interface

Then, highlight the specific rows in your sheet that you want to export, or choose to export all rows.

Datoro selection for export

Review your settings and follow the prompts to push your data back to MS SQL.

Pros:

  • No coding required
  • Real-time bi-directional sync
  • User-friendly interface
  • Automated scheduling options
  • Excel and Google Sheets compatibility

Cons:

  • Requires spreadsheet as intermediate layer
  • Premium features need paid subscription

For more information on connecting SQL Server to Google Sheets, check out this guide.

If you prefer using Excel, you can learn how to connect Excel to SQL Server with Coefficient.

2. SSIS (SQL Server Integration Services)

SSIS designer showing sales force to sequel server workflow

SSIS is Microsoft’s enterprise-level data integration platform that provides native connectivity between SQL Server and various data sources, including Salesforce.

Step-by-Step Implementation:

Step 1: Install SSIS and Required Components

Installation Requirements:

    SQL Server Version: 2019 or later

    Components:

        Integration Services Engine

        Integration Services Tools

        Salesforce Connector

    Prerequisites:

        .NET Framework 4.7.2

        Visual Studio 2019 or later

        SSDT (SQL Server Data Tools)

Step 2: Create New SSIS Project

— Create destination tables

CREATE TABLE dbo.SalesforceAccounts (

    AccountId VARCHAR(18) PRIMARY KEY,

    Name NVARCHAR(255),

    Type NVARCHAR(50),

    Industry NVARCHAR(100),

    BillingAddress NVARCHAR(MAX),

    LastModifiedDate DATETIME2

);

CREATE TABLE dbo.SalesforceContacts (

    ContactId VARCHAR(18) PRIMARY KEY,

    AccountId VARCHAR(18),

    FirstName NVARCHAR(100),

    LastName NVARCHAR(100),

    Email NVARCHAR(255),

    Phone NVARCHAR(50),

    LastModifiedDate DATETIME2

);

Step 3: Configure Salesforce Source

<SalesforceConnection>

    <SecurityToken>YourSecurityToken</SecurityToken>

    <Username>your.email@company.com</Username>

    <Password>YourPassword</Password>

    <Environment>Production</Environment>

    <QueryTimeout>300</QueryTimeout>

    <BatchSize>2000</BatchSize>

    <Objects>

        <Object>Account</Object>

        <Object>Contact</Object>

        <Object>Opportunity</Object>

    </Objects>

</SalesforceConnection>

Step 4: Set Up SQL Server Destination

— Create stored procedures for data loading

CREATE PROCEDURE dbo.LoadSalesforceData

    @TableName NVARCHAR(100),

    @BatchId UNIQUEIDENTIFIER

AS

BEGIN

    BEGIN TRY

        BEGIN TRANSACTION;

        IF @TableName = ‘Accounts’

            MERGE dbo.SalesforceAccounts AS target

            USING dbo.StagingAccounts AS source

            ON target.AccountId = source.AccountId

            WHEN MATCHED THEN UPDATE SET

                target.Name = source.Name,

                target.LastModifiedDate = source.LastModifiedDate

            WHEN NOT MATCHED THEN

                INSERT (AccountId, Name, LastModifiedDate)

                VALUES (source.AccountId, source.Name, source.LastModifiedDate);

        COMMIT TRANSACTION;

    END TRY

    BEGIN CATCH

        ROLLBACK TRANSACTION;

        THROW;

    END CATCH;

END;

Step 5: Define Data Mappings

{

    “AccountMapping”: {

        “Id”: “AccountId”,

        “Name”: “Name”,

        “Type”: “Type”,

        “Industry”: “Industry”,

        “BillingStreet”: “BillingAddress”,

        “LastModifiedDate”: “LastModifiedDate”

    },

    “ContactMapping”: {

        “Id”: “ContactId”,

        “AccountId”: “AccountId”,

        “FirstName”: “FirstName”,

        “LastName”: “LastName”,

        “Email”: “Email”,

        “Phone”: “Phone”

    }

}

Step 6: Deploy and Schedule Package

— Create SQL Server Agent job

EXEC msdb.dbo.sp_add_job

    @job_name = N’Salesforce_Data_Sync’;

EXEC msdb.dbo.sp_add_jobstep

    @job_name = N’Salesforce_Data_Sync’,

    @step_name = N’Execute SSIS Package’,

    @subsystem = N’SSIS’,

    @command = N’/FILE “”C:SSISSalesforceSync.dtsx”‘;

Pros:

  • Native Microsoft solution
  • Powerful transformation capabilities
  • Enterprise-grade security
  • Scheduled execution support

Cons:

  • Requires technical expertise
  • Complex setup process
  • Additional licensing costs
  • Limited real-time capabilities

3. Salesforce Data Loader

Data Loader is Salesforce’s native tool for importing and exporting data between Salesforce and external systems like SQL Server.

Step-by-Step Implementation:

Step 1: Download and Install Data Loader

Installation Requirements:

    Java Runtime: Version 11 or later

    Operating System: Windows 10/11

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    Memory: 4GB minimum

    Disk Space: 500MB

    Salesforce Edition: Enterprise or higher

Step 2: Configure SQL Server Connection

— Create staging tables for import

CREATE TABLE dbo.StagingSalesforceData (

    ExternalId VARCHAR(18),

    ObjectType VARCHAR(50),

    JsonData NVARCHAR(MAX),

    LoadDate DATETIME2 DEFAULT GETDATE()

);

— Create database user for Data Loader

CREATE LOGIN dataloader_user

WITH PASSWORD = ‘StrongPassword123!’;

CREATE USER dataloader_user FOR LOGIN dataloader_user;

GRANT INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE ON dbo.StagingSalesforceData TO dataloader_user;

Step 3: Create Export Mappings

<configuration>

    <exportMapping>

        <object>Account</object>

        <fields>

            <field>Id</field>

            <field>Name</field>

            <field>Type</field>

            <field>Industry</field>

            <field>LastModifiedDate</field>

        </fields>

        <query>

            SELECT Id, Name, Type, Industry, LastModifiedDate

            FROM Account

            WHERE LastModifiedDate >= LAST_N_DAYS:1

        </query>

    </exportMapping>

</configuration>

Step 4: Schedule Data Extraction

@echo off

set JAVA_HOME=C:Program FilesJavajre11

set DL_HOME=C:Program FilesSalesforce Data Loader

cd %DL_HOME%bin

process.bat –config %DL_HOME%confprocess-conf.xml

Step 5: Import Data to SQL Server

CREATE PROCEDURE dbo.ProcessSalesforceImport

AS

BEGIN

    SET NOCOUNT ON;

    BEGIN TRY

        BEGIN TRANSACTION;

        — Process staged data

        INSERT INTO dbo.SalesforceAccounts

        SELECT 

            JSON_VALUE(JsonData, ‘$.Id’) as AccountId,

            JSON_VALUE(JsonData, ‘$.Name’) as Name,

            JSON_VALUE(JsonData, ‘$.Type’) as Type,

            JSON_VALUE(JsonData, ‘$.Industry’) as Industry

        FROM dbo.StagingSalesforceData

        WHERE ObjectType = ‘Account’;

        COMMIT TRANSACTION;

    END TRY

    BEGIN CATCH

        ROLLBACK TRANSACTION;

        THROW;

    END CATCH;

END;

Step 6: Verify Data Integrity

CREATE PROCEDURE dbo.VerifyDataIntegrity

AS

BEGIN

    SELECT 

        ‘Accounts’ as ObjectType,

        COUNT(*) as RecordCount,

        MAX(LastModifiedDate) as LastUpdate

    FROM dbo.SalesforceAccounts

    UNION ALL

    SELECT 

        ‘Contacts’ as ObjectType,

        COUNT(*) as RecordCount,

        MAX(LastModifiedDate) as LastUpdate

    FROM dbo.SalesforceContacts;

END;

Pros:

  • Free native Salesforce tool
  • Simple interface
  • Bulk data handling
  • Direct Salesforce support

Cons:

  • Manual process for real-time sync
  • Limited transformation options
  • Basic scheduling capabilities
  • No bi-directional sync

Start Syncing Your Salesforce and SQL Server Data Today

Connecting Salesforce to SQL Server doesn’t have to be complicated. While each method has its merits, Coefficient provides the most user-friendly approach for business users who need reliable, automated data synchronization without technical complexity.

By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create a seamless data flow between your Salesforce CRM and SQL Server database. This integration will enable you to make more informed decisions, improve data consistency, and enhance your overall business operations.

Ready to streamline your data integration? Get started with Coefficient today and experience seamless data flow between your systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to get Salesforce data into SQL Server? 

While there are multiple methods, Coefficient offers the simplest solution by allowing you to sync Salesforce data to SQL Server through an intuitive spreadsheet interface, with no coding required.

Can you use SQL in Salesforce? 

Salesforce uses SOQL (Salesforce Object Query Language) instead of SQL. However, with Coefficient, you can work with your data in familiar spreadsheet formats while maintaining automated connections to both systems.

What is the difference between SQL Server and Salesforce? 

SQL Server is a relational database management system, while Salesforce is a CRM platform. Coefficient bridges this gap by enabling seamless data flow between both systems through a user-friendly interface.

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Julian Alvarado Content Marketing
Julian is a dynamic B2B marketer with 8+ years of experience creating full-funnel marketing journeys, leveraging an analytical background in biological sciences to examine customer needs.
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