The following procedure shows how to create a Universal Data Link (UDL) file outside of Metrics Management.
How to create a Universal Data Link (UDL) file
1 Using Windows Explorer, navigate to the folder in which to save the UDL file.
2 Right-click in the right pane of Windows Explorer. From the shortcut menu, choose New➛Text Document. A file called New Text Document.txt appears.
3 Rename the file to a meaningful name, such as Oracle_Connection.udl, and double-click the UDL file. MDAC opens the file. Data Link Properties opens.
4 Choose Provider, and select the appropriate provider:
For a Microsoft Access Database, select Microsoft Jet 4.0 OLE DB Provider.
For an Oracle database, select Oracle Provider for OLE DB.
For a SQL Server database, select Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server.
For a Microsoft SQL Analysis Services database, choose the OLE-DB Provider for OLAP Services.
5 Choose Next, or choose Connection, as shown in Figure 7‑25.
Figure 7‑25 Creating a UDL file for a Microsoft Access Database
6 To connect with a Microsoft Access database, in Connection:
1 In Select or enter a database name, type a database name. Alternatively, choose Browse to navigate to the path for your database.
2 In Enter information to log on to the database, provide appropriate login credentials for the database, including user name and password, if necessary.
7 To connect to an Oracle database, in Connection, complete the following tasks, as shown in Figure 7‑26:
1 In Enter the data source and location of the data, provide your server name.
2 In Enter information to log on to the database, provide appropriate login credentials for the database, including user name and password, if necessary. Select Allow saving password.
Figure 7‑26 Creating a UDL file for an Oracle database
8 To connect to a SQL Server database, in Connection, as shown in Figure 7‑27, complete the following tasks:
1 In Select or enter a server name, type a server name or select one from the list.
2 In Enter information to log on to the database, provide appropriate login credentials for the database, including user name and password. Alternatively, select use Windows NT Integrated security.
3 Choose Select the database on the server. Then, select a database name from the list. Alternatively, attach a database file as a database name. Typically, use this option in the following situations:
A conflict between MDAC and SQL Server exists.
Your Windows operating system cannot detect an older version of SQL Server.
A configuration problem exists on your workstation.
To attach a database file, you must know the physical location and name of the SQL Server database files, as well as the version of SQL Server currently being used.
To use this method, select Attach a database file as a database name. Then, provide the database name. In Using the filename, provide the full path and name of the database file. If the server name is known, leave this section empty.
Figure 7‑27 Creating a UDL file for a SQL Server
9 To connect using SQL Analysis Services OLAP, in Connection, as shown in Figure 7‑28:
1 In Enter the data source and or location of the data, provide the following information:
In Data Source, provide the logical name of the data source.
In Location, provide the path for the data source.
2 In Enter information to log in to the database, provide appropriate login credentials for the database, including user name and password, if necessary. Alternatively, select use Windows NT Integrated security.
3 In Enter the initial catalog to use, provide a table name.
Figure 7‑28 Creating a UDL file for SQL Analysis Services (OLAP)
10 Choose Test Connection. If the data link is connected properly, the confirmation message appears.
For a Microsoft Access Database, select Microsoft Jet 4.0 OLE DB Provider. 
