# Metabase

[Metabase](https://www.metabase.com/) is an open source business intelligence tool for visualizing and exploring data.

## Connection Methods

You can connect Metabase to Altertable using two methods:

### Method 1: Arrow Flight SQL (Recommended)

Arrow Flight SQL is the preferred connection method for Altertable because it provides native columnar transport. Metabase does not support Arrow Flight SQL by default, so you need a community driver.

#### Installation

Install the [metabase-flightsql-driver](https://github.com/J0hnG4lt/metabase-flightsql-driver) to add Arrow Flight SQL support to Metabase:

1. Download the driver JAR file from the GitHub repository
2. Place it in your Metabase plugins directory
3. Restart Metabase

#### Configuration

1. In Metabase, navigate to **Admin settings** → **Databases**
2. Click **Add database**
3. Select **Arrow Flight SQL** as the database type
4. Configure the connection with the following details:

| Field         | Value                                 |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Display name  | `Altertable` (or your preferred name) |
| Host          | `flight.altertable.ai`                |
| Port          | `443`                                 |
| Database name | Your Altertable catalog name          |
| Username      | Your lakehouse username               |
| Password      | Your lakehouse password               |
| Use TLS/SSL   | ✓ **Enabled**                         |

5. Click **Save**

### Method 2: Postgres Adapter (Alternative)

If you prefer not to install the Arrow Flight SQL driver, you can connect Metabase to Altertable through our [Postgres adapter](/docs/query-data/adapters/postgres.md), which works with Metabase's built-in PostgreSQL database support.

#### Configuration

1. In Metabase, navigate to **Admin settings** → **Databases**
2. Click **Add database**
3. Select **PostgreSQL** as the database type
4. Configure the connection with the following details:

| Field                         | Value                                 |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------- |
| Display name                  | `Altertable` (or your preferred name) |
| Host                          | `postgres.altertable.ai`              |
| Port                          | `443`                                 |
| Database name                 | Your Altertable catalog name          |
| Username                      | Your lakehouse username               |
| Password                      | Your lakehouse password               |
| Use a secure connection (SSL) | ✓ **Enabled**                         |

5. Click **Save**

### Notes

- **SQL Dialect**: While the connection uses the Postgres protocol, queries are executed using **DuckDB SQL dialect**. PostgreSQL-specific functions may not be available.
- **SSL/TLS Required**: Make sure to enable SSL/TLS in the connection settings
- **Catalog Name**: Enter your Altertable catalog name in the **Database name** field