Connecting to an Azure SQL Database Using SQL Server Native Client
Applies to: 
SQL Server
Azure SQL Database
Azure SQL Managed Instance
Azure Synapse Analytics
Analytics Platform System (PDW)
Important
SQL Server Native Client (SNAC) isn't shipped with:
- SQL Server 2022 (16.x) and later versions
- SQL Server Management Studio 19 and later versions
The SQL Server Native Client (SQLNCLI or SQLNCLI11) and the legacy Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server (SQLOLEDB) aren't recommended for new application development.
For new projects, use one of the following drivers:
For SQLNCLI that ships as a component of SQL Server Database Engine (versions 2012 through 2019), see this Support Lifecycle exception.
For a sample that shows how to connect to a Azure SQL Database using SQL Server Native Client, see Development: How-to Topics (Azure SQL Database).
Known Issues When Connecting to a SQL Database
The following are known issues when connecting to a SQL Database using SQL Server Native Client:
A connection made with SQLBrowseConnect may be rejected if SQLBrowseConnect is used in stages. For example, if the driver name is sent in the first call, server and credentials (user and password) sent in the second call, establishing the connection, and a database name and a language in the third call. The third call will cause SQL Server Native Client to issue a USE statement to change databases. However, the USE statement is not supported in SQL Database, generating the following error:
[Microsoft][SQL Server Native Client 11.0][SQL Server]USE statement is not supported to switch between databases. Use a new connection to connect to a different Database.