# Data from an ODBC-compliant Database

Using drivers supplied by your database vendor, or a third-party driver manufacturer, the ODBC Data Provider can connect directly to hundreds of SQL database systems including [MySQL](https://www.mysql.com), [Microsoft SQL Server](https://www.microsoft.com/en/sql-server/), [MariaDB](https://mariadb.org) and [FileMaker](https://www.claris.com/filemaker/).

## Benefits

Connecting directly to a database improves both the speed at which you can start working with your data and allows you to target specific data you wish to work with. The power of your database can also be utilised to selectively retrieve, filter, sort and even perform calculations on your data which is imported directly into EasyCatalog without the need to generate export text files.

The `ODBC Data Provider` is also bidirectional, so any changes made to data on the document can be optionally updated on the database.

## Installation

The ODBC Data Provider is an optional module for EasyCatalog, and should be installed using the supplied installer.

{% hint style="info" %}
Macintosh users: If the ODBC Data Provider module is not available after installation, please follow the instructions in the ‘platform Specific Issues’.
{% endhint %}