I have data in another system and want to query it there

A system like MySQL or PostgreSQL already holds your data. You want to query it, not move it.

• You add a data source: A connection from Grafana Cloud to the place that holds data
• Grafana Cloud queries the data in place; nothing gets copied in
• Grafana Cloud has to reach that system over the network

Considerations

• Nothing new to install: You configure a connection. The system that holds the data keeps running as it is.
• No new storage cost: The data isn’t copied into Grafana Cloud, so it doesn’t add to the usage Grafana Cloud bills for.
• You write the queries: Each data source has its own query editor and query language. For example, data that lives in MySQL is queried in SQL.
• You build the dashboards: This option doesn’t install any dashboards for you. Once the connection works, you run queries in Explore, the page where you query a data source, and then build a dashboard from the query results.
• Data on a private network: If Grafana Cloud can’t reach the system over the internet, configure private data source connect, a private connection between Grafana Cloud and your network.

Before you start

• A Grafana Cloud account: sign up free if you don’t have one
• The Admin role in your Grafana Cloud stack. Only administrators can add data sources.
• A system Grafana Cloud can reach, for example MySQL or PostgreSQL

Try it yourself

The guide below runs in your own Grafana Cloud stack. You add the data source, fill in its connection details, test it, and run a first query in Explore.