title: HeidiSql connection to MS SQL Server LocalDB
body: <p>I have been trying in vain to connect to my SQL Server database, attached to the LocalDB instance <code>(localdb)\v11.0</code>, using HeidiSql and Windows Authentication.</p>
  
  <p>My testing has shown that HeidiSql can connect to the permanently installed <code>MSSQLSERVER</code> and <code>SQLEXPRESS</code> instances as follows:</p>
  
  <p><code>MSSQLSERVER</code>:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>SQL Server: (named pipe)</li>
  <li>Hostname / IP: .</li>
  <li>Use Windows Authentication</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p><code>SQLEXPRESS</code>:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>SQL Server: (named pipe)</li>
  <li>Hostname / IP .\SQLEXPRESS</li>
  <li>Use Windows Authentication</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>The LocalDB connection proves elusive.</p>
  
  <p>My reading of the situation suggests that the LocalDB instance is something of a phantom created by Visual Studio and SQL Server Management Studio as and when required. They don't persist or exist when these programs aren't running. When they are running access is buried in these programs and not available to other applications.</p>
  
  <p>I know I can switch to <code>MSSQLSERVER</code> or <code>SQLEXPRESS</code> as the standard database server for my Visual Studio applications but am interested to know whether there is a pathway for connecting to HeidiSql the LocalDB instance.</p>