Query External Database

Last modified: October 1, 2025

Introduction

The Query External Database activity is used with the External Database Connector to use preconfigured database queries and display retrieved data in your app.

This document covers the properties of the Query External Database activity.

To learn how to use this activity in a microflow and configure other aspects of the Database connector, see the Configuration section of External Database Connector.

Properties

Double-click the Query External Database activity to view its properties.

The General section contains the following properties, which are used to provide dynamic connection parameter values:

  • Database – the name of the database you want to query

  • Connection Parameters

    • DBSource – Enter the JDBC URL you want to use for connection during runtime
    • DBUsername – Enter the username you want to use for connection during runtime
    • DBPassword – Enter the password you want to use for connection during runtime

    If you are using SSL based authentication for Postgres, provide the value for

    • ClientCertificateIdentifier

    If you are using key-pair authentication for Snowflake, provide the value for:

    • PrivateKey
    • Passphrase

The Query section contains the following properties:

  • Query – the saved SQL query from your configuration of the Database connector
  • Dynamic – Choose Yes to update the query—this option is available in Mendix 11.3.0 and above
    • SQL – When Yes is selected, the SQL field appears prepopulated with the selected query; you can then modify this query, using variables and parameters if required
  • Parameters – the saved parameters from your configuration of the Database connector

The Output section contains the following properties:

  • Return type – the return type once the microflow is completed
  • Use return value – select Yes or No
    • List name – if Use return value is set to Yes, this is the name of the returned list