Creating apps with SQL databases no longer requires coding expertise. Platforms like Adalo allow you to connect SQL databases (e.g., Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL) via REST APIs, enabling real-time data updates and app functionality without backend coding.
Key Benefits:
- Time Savings: Automate data sync, saving up to 15 hours weekly.
- Cost Efficiency: Cut development costs by 65%.
- Scalability: Handle millions of records by bypassing platform limits.
How It Works:
- Use tools like DreamFactory to generate REST APIs for your SQL database.
- Link the APIs to Adalo's External Collections feature.
- Map SQL data to app components for real-time interaction.
This approach simplifies app creation, reduces manual work, and ensures data consistency across platforms like iOS, Android, and web - all while leveraging your existing SQL infrastructure.
Llana: Free Open Source no-code API Wrapper from SQL/NoSQL Database
Prerequisites for Connecting SQL Databases to Adalo
Before linking your SQL database to Adalo, there are a few key requirements to check off. These steps ensure a smooth integration between your app and database.
First, you must have an Adalo Professional, Team, or Business plan. The External Collections feature, which is necessary for connecting SQL databases, isn't available on the free plan. Professional plans typically range from $52 to $65 per month. While the free plan limits you to 200 records, upgrading allows you to work with databases containing millions of records.
Next, you'll need a properly configured SQL database. This guide highlights Microsoft SQL Server, but the process is similar for Azure SQL Database, MySQL, and PostgreSQL. Ensure your database has at least one fully populated record - Adalo might not recognize columns that are completely empty during the setup process.
A crucial point to note is that your SQL table's primary keys must be numeric. Adalo's External Collections feature doesn't support text-based IDs, UUIDs, or special characters. If your database uses non-numeric keys, you'll need to update your schema before proceeding.
Setting Up Your SQL Database
To enable remote access for API communication, configure your database appropriately. For cloud-hosted options like Azure SQL, this involves whitelisting the API service's IP addresses in your firewall settings. If you're using an on-premises SQL Server, make sure remote connections are enabled in the server's configuration.
It's also a good idea to create a dedicated database user specifically for the Adalo connection. This user should have SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE permissions on the tables you plan to link. Stick to granting only the permissions that are absolutely necessary.
Finalize your table structure before connecting to Adalo. Any changes, such as adding new columns after the connection is established, will require you to re-run the connection test and remap the properties in Adalo.
Understanding Adalo's Data Integration Features
Adalo uses a feature called External Collections to connect to external SQL databases. While Adalo's built-in database works well for apps with under 5,000 records, External Collections allow you to scale up to millions of records. This feature also lets business teams manage data directly in the database, bypassing the Adalo interface.
Instead of connecting directly to your database through drivers, Adalo communicates via REST APIs. This means you'll need middleware to generate those APIs - this is where DreamFactory comes into play. Any changes made in your SQL database will reflect in your app, and vice versa, ensuring a seamless two-way sync.
Next, we'll dive into how DreamFactory simplifies API creation for this integration.
Introduction to DreamFactory for API Creation
DreamFactory is a platform that automatically generates REST APIs from your SQL database. It supports over 20 databases, including MS SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, and Snowflake. With DreamFactory, you get auto-generated REST APIs and OpenAPI documentation for secure CRUD operations.
This documentation is critical for Adalo integration, as it defines the endpoints and data structures your app will use. DreamFactory also manages authentication and authorization through methods like API keys, OAuth, JWT, and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).
For Adalo Blue users, DreamFactory offers deep integration with older systems, even those lacking modern APIs. This is particularly helpful for enterprise teams creating internal apps that need to connect to legacy ERP systems or proprietary databases. To ensure secure communication between Adalo and DreamFactory, have your Adalo API key or OAuth2 credentials ready.
How to Integrate SQL Databases with Adalo
3-Step Process to Integrate SQL Databases with Adalo Using DreamFactory
Once you've got everything set up, integrating your SQL database with Adalo using DreamFactory's REST APIs is straightforward. By leveraging Adalo's External Collections, you can sync your SQL data in real time. Here's how to do it in three steps.
Step 1: Generate REST APIs with DreamFactory
Start by logging into your DreamFactory admin interface. Head to the Services section, click Create, and select your database type from the Database menu.
Fill in the required configuration details:
| Credential Type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Service Name | Unique identifier for the API URL | inventory_api |
| Host | Database server address | sql.mycompany.com |
| Port | Default port for SQL Server | 1433 |
| Database Name | Name of the database you're connecting | inventory_db |
| Username | Your database login name | db_user |
Next, set up a Role with proper access permissions and generate an API Key to ensure secure integration. Don't forget to enable SSL encryption in DreamFactory's advanced settings - this step is crucial for keeping your data secure during transmission.
Before moving on, test your API endpoints using DreamFactory's API Docs. This will help confirm that your JSON responses are structured correctly and save you troubleshooting time later. As Kevin McGahey, Solutions Engineer at DreamFactory, puts it:
"DreamFactory simplifies API creation by automating the process, reducing development time by up to 90%."
With your APIs ready, you're all set to configure the endpoints in Adalo.
Step 2: Configure API Endpoints in Adalo
In Adalo, go to the Database tab, choose External Collections, and click Add Collection. Enter the API Base URL from DreamFactory, which will look something like this:
https://instance.dreamfactory.com/api/v2/{service_name}/_table/{table_name}
To authenticate, add a Header Parameter. Set the header name to X-DreamFactory-API-Key and use your DreamFactory API Key as the value.
For the Get All endpoint, set the Results Key to resource.
Adalo supports five standard endpoint actions: Get All Records, Get One Record, Create a Record, Update a Record, and Delete a Record. While Adalo provides default settings, you might need to tweak them. For example, some setups require changing the HTTP method from PUT to PATCH for updates. After configuring your endpoints, run a test connection. If everything checks out, Adalo will automatically detect the data properties from your API response.
Step 3: Map SQL Data to Adalo Components
Once your External Collection is connected, you can map SQL data to Adalo's visual components. For instance, to display multiple records, add a List component to your screen and set its "What is this a list of?" property to your External Collection.
To bind database fields to UI components, use Magic Text. Click the Magic Text icon when configuring a text element, and you'll see all available fields from your SQL table - like first_name, last_name, or product_price. Select the field you want to display.
For interactive features, such as updating or deleting records, assign custom actions to buttons or forms. These actions will trigger the corresponding API endpoints you configured earlier, enabling two-way data sync. This setup allows teams to manage data either through the app's interface or directly in the database.
Adalo's responsive design ensures that your app works smoothly across web, iOS, and Android devices - all from a single build. With over 1 million custom apps built on Adalo and an uptime exceeding 99% over the past year, the platform is reliable for handling production workloads.
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Authentication and Permissions with Adalo Blue
When it comes to enterprise apps, security isn't just a feature - it's a necessity. Adalo Blue steps up to the challenge with authentication and permission controls built for demanding environments. One standout feature is its support for SAML Single Sign-On (SSO), allowing teams to use their existing corporate credentials to access apps connected to sensitive SQL data. This eliminates the hassle of managing separate login systems.
Adalo takes a two-pronged approach to security. Authentication is handled through either SSO or Adalo's built-in system, while SQL database connections are protected independently using Authorization Headers with Bearer or Personal Access Tokens. This separation ensures that even if unauthorized access occurs at the app level, database records remain secure. Together, these layers provide a solid foundation for managing tokens and users effectively.
To ensure users only see the data they’re supposed to, Adalo leverages the "Logged-in User" property to filter SQL records by user ID. This creates row-level security, restricting access to authorized data. For an extra layer of protection, you can build filtered SQL views that accept user ID parameters and connect them as distinct External Collections in Adalo. By shifting security logic to the database level, you reduce reliance on the app layer for data protection.
Adalo Blue also offers role-based access control (RBAC) and two-factor authentication (2FA) to manage app editing permissions and database configuration access. The platform is SOC 2 Type II certified and ensures data security with TLS/SSL encryption for data in transit and AES-256 encryption for data at rest. With over 20 million data requests processed daily, these measures are designed to handle real-world production workloads.
For token management, Adalo recommends creating separate Personal Access Tokens for development, staging, and production environments. Use only the required scopes for each token, rotate them quarterly, or immediately if team members leave. To avoid security risks, never embed tokens in client-side code or public repositories. Instead, store them securely in Adalo's configuration settings.
Testing and Troubleshooting SQL Integrations in Adalo
Once you've mapped your SQL data to Adalo components, it's critical to test everything thoroughly to ensure the integration works seamlessly.
Start by pressing the Test button after setting up your SQL connection. If the setup is correct, you'll see a green success message along with an example response. If there's an error message instead, it means something needs fixing. This test serves as the final check to confirm that your earlier configurations - such as those done via DreamFactory and Adalo's API setup - are working as intended.
Common Errors and Fixes
One frequent issue is the 401 Unauthorized error, which often stems from incorrectly formatted Authorization Headers. For Bearer tokens, the header should follow this format: Authorization: Bearer your_token_here. To avoid invisible character issues, paste your API token into a plain text editor first, then copy it into Adalo. Also, double-check that all data fields are correctly detected to prevent any "missing property" errors.
If you encounter missing data fields, it's likely because some SQL columns are empty. Adalo requires data in every column (even placeholder data) to properly detect all fields. Adding a dummy record with values in every column can resolve this.
When testing updates, be cautious about your HTTP method. Using PUT instead of PATCH can result in data loss, as PUT overwrites entire records. PATCH, on the other hand, updates only the specified fields. Always verify you're using PATCH to avoid unintended data erasure.
Troubleshooting Guide
Here's a quick reference table to help you diagnose and fix common errors:
| Error Code / Issue | Likely Cause | Recommended Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| 401 Unauthorized | Missing "Bearer " prefix or incorrect token scopes | Verify header format: Authorization: Bearer [token] |
| 404 Not Found | Excess query parameters in Base URL | Remove everything after the ? in the Base URL |
| Data Erased on Update | Endpoint set to PUT instead of PATCH |
Change the Update Record method to PATCH |
| Missing Fields | Columns in source database are empty | Add a dummy record with data in all columns and re-test |
| Only 100 Records Show | API fetch limit reached | Configure pagination or use filtered views at the source |
| ID Errors | ID is a string or UUID | Ensure the ID field is in numeric format |
Conclusion
Connect your SQL database with Adalo to create and roll out fully functional apps in just days. Instead of months of custom development, you can quickly launch polished iOS, Android, and web applications.
This integration can cut costs by up to 65% and save teams around 15 hours each week by automating data synchronization. It transforms how efficiently data is turned into user-facing applications.
Scalability is another major benefit. By linking external SQL databases, you eliminate internal record limits and can handle enterprise-level datasets while ensuring real-time data consistency across platforms. Your teams can continue working directly in SQL Server Management Studio or similar tools, while users interact with the same data through a sleek mobile interface - no need for data migration or duplicate entries. This streamlined process highlights the power of combining Adalo with your SQL database.
The integration blends the strength of SQL data management - leveraging SQL views and stored procedures - with Adalo's single-codebase framework. Changes made in one place instantly update across iOS, Android, and web platforms, all while your SQL backend manages data storage, relationships, and business logic.
For teams already using SQL infrastructure, this approach offers the quickest way to bring legacy data into modern mobile experiences. Instead of replacing proven systems, you're building on them, reducing risks, speeding up deployment, and preparing to scale as your user base grows. It’s a seamless way to bridge legacy data with cutting-edge mobile solutions, ensuring your apps grow alongside your business.
FAQs
What are the benefits of integrating SQL databases with Adalo using no-code tools?
Integrating SQL databases with Adalo using no-code tools opens up a world of possibilities for app development. You can easily connect to popular databases like Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and MySQL, enabling real-time data synchronization without writing a single line of code. This means your app stays up-to-date with the latest data effortlessly.
What’s more, this integration streamlines workflows and enhances efficiency. You can automate tasks such as adding, updating, or deleting records and handle large datasets with ease - all through a user-friendly interface. This approach helps businesses respond to evolving needs quickly while cutting down on time and effort.
For non-technical users, integrating SQL databases with Adalo is a game-changer. It allows anyone to create professional, data-driven apps faster and at a fraction of the cost, making app development more accessible than ever.
How does DreamFactory make it easy to create REST APIs for SQL databases?
DreamFactory makes creating REST APIs for SQL databases incredibly straightforward by automating the heavy lifting. All it takes is a few simple steps - enter your database credentials, save the configuration, and you're ready to generate secure, fully documented APIs in just minutes. The best part? No coding is needed.
This hassle-free approach lets developers concentrate on building their applications, confident that their APIs are dependable and seamlessly integrate with other systems.
What security features does Adalo Blue provide for connecting SQL databases?
Adalo Blue provides secure SQL database integrations with enterprise-level permissions, single sign-on (SSO), and strong access controls. These tools work together to protect sensitive data while allowing smooth integration with your applications.
Built with enterprise needs in mind, Adalo Blue streamlines database access management, ensuring that only approved users can access or interact with your data.
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