> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.maia.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Microsoft Fabric Lakehouse authentication guide

This document describes how to connect to a [Fabric Lakehouse SQL analytics endpoint](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/fabric/data-engineering/lakehouse-sql-analytics-endpoint) using the [Microsoft SQL Server Load](/docs/components/microsoft-sql-server-load) component.

***

## Prerequisites

* Access to a Microsoft Fabric Lakehouse with an SQL analytics endpoint enabled. For more information, read [Create a Lakehouse in Microsoft Fabric](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/fabric/data-engineering/create-lakehouse).
* Appropriate permissions in Fabric Lakehouse for the identity you plan to use. For more information, read [Workspace roles in Lakehouse](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/fabric/data-engineering/workspace-roles-lakehouse).
* Tenant and Workspace settings configured to support Microsoft Entra authentication. For more information, read [Microsoft Entra authentication as an alternative to SQL authentication](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/fabric/data-warehouse/entra-id-authentication).

***

## Finding your SQL analytics endpoint connection string

To locate the connection string for your SQL analytics endpoint:

1. Go to the [Azure portal](https://portal.azure.com/).
2. Navigate to your Fabric Lakehouse resource.
3. Select the ellipses `...`, and click **Copy connection string**.

Alternatively:

1. Under **Settings**, select **Connection strings**.
2. Copy the **SQL analytics endpoint** connection string.

For more information, read [What is the SQL analytics endpoint for a SQL database in Fabric?](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/fabric/database/sql/sql-analytics-endpoint)

***

## Configuring the Microsoft SQL Server Load component

To connect to a Fabric Lakehouse SQL analytics endpoint using the Microsoft SQL Server Load component, follow these steps:

1. In the **Connect** section, open the **Authentication Type** drop-down, and select **Username & Password**.

2. To populate the **Username** and **Password** fields, choose **one** of the following authentication methods and configure the properties as described below:

   **Service Principal authentication (recommended for automated processes)**

   * **Username:** The application (client) ID of your [Azure app registration](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/develop/quickstart-register-app).
   * **Password:** The client secret for the Azure app registration.
   * **Connection Options:**
     1. Click the configuration button next to this property to open the **Connection Options** dialog.
     2. From the **Parameter** drop-down, select "authentication", and enter `ActiveDirectoryServicePrincipal` in the **Value** field.
     3. Add another parameter, select "selectMethod", and enter `direct` in the **Value** field.

   **Active Directory authentication (for interactive use)**

   * **Username:** The user principal name (UPN) of your Fabric account. This is usually in email format.
   * **Password:** The password for your Fabric account.
   * **Connection Options:**
     1. Click the configuration button next to this property to open the **Connection Options** dialog.
     2. From the **Parameter** drop-down, select "authentication", and enter `ActiveDirectoryPassword` in the **Value** field.
     3. Add another parameter, select "selectMethod", and enter `direct` in the **Value** field.

3. In the **Connection URL** property, enter the following:

   ```
   jdbc:sqlserver://<SQL connection string>
   ```

   This string has been obtained by following the steps in [Finding your SQL analytics endpoint connection string](#finding-your-sql-analytics-endpoint-connection-string).

4. Configure other properties as required. For more information, read [Microsoft SQL Server Load component](/docs/components/microsoft-sql-server-load).