Frequently Asked Questions

Syntra ODBC is a QuickBooks Desktop ODBC driver with a built-in local SQL server. This lets you query QuickBooks data with standard SQL from any tool, including Excel, Power BI, Tableau, Python, Node.js, and more.

Traditional ODBC drivers run in-process with the calling application. Syntra ODBC runs a local SQL server on port 5433 that modern database clients can connect to directly. No driver installation needed. A bundled ODBC driver is also included for legacy apps that require ODBC.

QuickBooks Desktop Pro, Premier, and Enterprise editions (2018 and newer) are all supported. On Pro and Premier, Syntra ODBC serves reads from its local cache and sends writes directly to QuickBooks. On Enterprise, Syntra can also serve live reads directly from QuickBooks data alongside the cache, so your queries can return up-to-the-second data without waiting for a sync.

Syntra ODBC runs on Windows 10 and Windows 11 (64-bit), and on Windows Server 2019 or newer. Both 32-bit and 64-bit ODBC drivers are included in the installer so you can connect from either architecture. Terminal Server and Remote Desktop Services environments on Windows Server are supported on the Pro plan.

No, Syntra ODBC is designed specifically for QuickBooks Desktop. QuickBooks Online uses a different API and data model.

Yes. The local cache stores a copy of your QuickBooks data on your machine for fast query performance. The cache is encrypted and stays entirely on your local system. Nothing is sent to external servers.

No. Syntra ODBC is query-driven. Your application initiates the connection and requests data. There are no push notifications or webhooks. However, the local cache is always kept fresh via automatic background sync, so your queries always return up-to-date data.

Yes. A 30-day free trial with all features unlocked. No credit card required.

The server stops accepting new connections. Your cached data, configuration, and everything else is preserved. Enter a license key to resume.

Standard ($299 USD/yr) includes read-only access to all 120+ tables with full SQL support. Pro ($499 USD/yr) adds write operations (INSERT/UPDATE/DELETE), the built-in MCP server for AI assistants, Terminal Server / RDS support, unlimited QB company files, live reads on QuickBooks Enterprise, multi-user concurrent connections, and priority support.

Yes, at any time. You'll be credited for the remaining time on your current plan.

Yes, 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. No questions asked.

Syntra ODBC is licensed per machine with an annual subscription. One license covers all users on that machine. If you have 3 machines that need access, you need 3 licenses.

No. Unlike some competitors that charge extra for write access, Syntra Pro includes full read and write operations in a single license.

For live queries and write operations, yes. For cached reads, no. The local cache serves your last synced data even when QuickBooks is closed.

On first connection, QuickBooks will display an authorization dialog asking you to grant access to "Syntra ODBC." Click "Yes, always allow access" to authorize. This is a one-time step. QuickBooks stores the permission for future connections.

You don't need your QuickBooks login credentials. QuickBooks uses an application authorization model. You approve Syntra ODBC once through a dialog in QuickBooks, and it remembers the permission. Connection credentials (username/password) for Syntra itself are configured in config.toml.

Yes. Syntra can auto-recover standard QuickBooks crash flows by dismissing the crash dialogs, reopening the configured company file, and handling common QuickBooks login prompts. Configure it in Settings > QuickBooks with a company file path and, if needed, login credentials. See /advanced/quickbooks-recovery/ for setup details.

Yes. Syntra runs on the same machine as QuickBooks Desktop (or on a machine with network access to the QuickBooks company file). Other machines on the network can connect to Syntra's SQL server on port 5433. Just open that port in the Windows Firewall.

The installer registers both a 64-bit and a 32-bit Syntra ODBC DSN automatically. 64-bit applications such as modern Excel and Power BI use the 64-bit DSN. For 32-bit apps, use the 32-bit ODBC Data Source Administrator at C:\Windows\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe to see and configure the 32-bit DSN.

Your application always initiates the connection. It connects to Syntra's local SQL server, which handles communication with QuickBooks in the background. QuickBooks must be running for live data and writes, but cached reads work anytime.

Syntra uses four adaptive polling tiers: Hot (60s, for transactions), Warm (3 minutes, for master data), Cold (15 minutes, for reference data), and Frozen (1 hour, for rarely-changing reference data). You can force a live query with SET QB_MAX_STALENESS = 0.

Yes, with the Pro plan. You can INSERT new records, UPDATE existing ones, DELETE, and void transactions using CALL qb_void().

Full SQL including SELECT, JOINs, CTEs, subqueries, window functions, aggregates (COUNT, SUM, AVG, MIN, MAX), GROUP BY, HAVING, CASE expressions, LIKE, ILIKE, BETWEEN, and more. You get a complete SQL engine, not a limited translation layer.

Over 120 tables covering all QuickBooks Desktop entities: invoices, customers, vendors, items, bills, accounts, employees, sales receipts, estimates, purchase orders, journal entries, and more. Custom fields are auto-discovered and appear as additional columns.

QuickBooks Desktop does not support change notifications or webhooks. However, Syntra's background sync automatically keeps the cache current, so your queries always reflect recent changes without any manual refresh.

Yes, TLS encryption is supported for connections. Data stays on your local machine. Nothing is sent to external servers. The local cache is stored securely on your system.

Yes. The Pro plan supports multi-user concurrent connections. The exact connection count is configurable in config.toml and bounded only by your machine resources.

Yes. You can connect via the bundled ODBC driver (Data → Get Data → From ODBC) or via Power Query using a database connector. Both methods support custom SQL queries, JOINs, and automatic refresh.

Yes. Use the built-in database connector in Power BI Desktop. Works with both Import and DirectQuery modes. Scheduled refresh is supported via the On-premises data gateway.

Yes. Connect via the ODBC driver by creating a Data Source Name (DSN) in the ODBC Data Source Administrator, then link tables or use pass-through queries in Access.

Yes. Connect via the bundled ODBC driver. Create a DSN and select it as your data source in Crystal Reports.

Yes. You can set up Syntra ODBC as a linked server in SQL Server using the ODBC driver, then query QuickBooks data with OPENQUERY or four-part names from T-SQL.

Yes. Use pyodbc with the bundled ODBC driver, or SQLAlchemy with any compatible dialect. Works with pandas DataFrames too.

Yes. Use the pg library or any compatible database client. Works with Prisma, TypeORM, Drizzle, Knex, and other ORMs.

Yes. Syntra ODBC is compatible with Prisma, SQLAlchemy, TypeORM, Drizzle, and other popular ORMs.

Yes. Connect using the built-in database connector in Tableau Desktop. You can use live connections or extracts.

Yes. Syntra ODBC includes a built-in MCP server that lets AI assistants like Claude, Cursor, and Windsurf query and manage QuickBooks data through natural language. 24 AI tools are exposed for reading, writing, managing records, running seven built-in accounting reports, and persisting facts and line-item aliases across sessions via a memory layer.

Everything stays on your local machine. The Syntra server, cache, and all data remain on the same computer as QuickBooks Desktop. No data is sent to external servers or the cloud.

TLS encryption is supported and can be enabled in config.toml. For connections on localhost this is optional, but we recommend enabling TLS if other machines on the network connect to the Syntra server.

QuickBooks uses an application integration certificate model. When Syntra first connects, QuickBooks asks the admin to approve the application. Once approved, the permission is stored by QuickBooks. No QuickBooks login credentials are needed or stored by Syntra.

The cache file is stored locally and access is controlled by Windows file permissions. Authentication is required to connect to the Syntra server. Unauthorized applications cannot query data without valid credentials.

Ensure the Syntra ODBC installer completed successfully. The installer registers both a 64-bit and a 32-bit Syntra ODBC DSN. If your application is 32-bit (such as older Excel), open the 32-bit ODBC Data Source Administrator at C:\Windows\SysWOW64\odbcad32.exe and confirm the 32-bit Syntra QuickBooks DSN is listed on the System DSN tab.

By default, queries hit the fast local cache. If you've set QB_MAX_STALENESS = 0, every query goes through QuickBooks live, which is much slower. Reset it with RESET QB_MAX_STALENESS to use the cache. For the first run after installation, the initial sync may take a few minutes to build the cache.

When prompted, select "Yes, always allow access" (not "Yes, this time only"). If you selected the wrong option, go to Edit → Preferences → Integrated Applications in QuickBooks to manage permissions.

Syntra logs are at C:\ProgramData\SyntraODBC\logs\syntra.log. The log includes query timing, sync status, and error details. Log level can be changed in config.toml.