Specify a connection string

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated July 31, 2025
  • 1 minute to read

    • You can specify a connection string instead of defining a DSN.

    Before you begin

    You must have administrator-level access for the Windows computer on which you want to specify a connection string.

    About this task

    This is an alternative method of connecting with different instance URLs. See also Create a new DSN.
    A connection string must follow this format:
    Driver=ServiceNow ODBC driver 32-bit;ServiceName=ServiceNow_ODBC;UID=youruser;PWD=yourpassword;ServerDataSource=ServiceNow;CustomProperties=url=https://<instance>.service-now.com

    The driver name varies depending on whether you use the 32-bit or 64-bit version of the ODBC driver. To determine your driver name, do the following.

    Procedure

    1. In Windows, navigate to Start > Programs > Service-now ODBC > ODBC Administrator.
    2. Select the System DSN tab.
    3. Note the value in the Driver column for the ServiceNow data source.