Microsoft SQL Server

How to integrate Microsoft SQL Server with Webflow

Webflow's CMS uses proprietary Collections rather than external database connections. All SQL Server integrations require a middleware layer — either automation platforms like Zapier and Make, low-code backends like Xano, or custom API development.

Network requirement: All integration methods require SQL Server to be network-accessible from the middleware platform's servers. This typically requires firewall configuration or VPN setup.

Use automation platforms

Zapier, Make, and Latenode offer pre-built integration templates for SQL Server and Webflow. Connect your accounts, map database fields to CMS collections, and configure triggers for synchronization.

These platforms handle secure server-side database connections — credentials are stored in the platform's encrypted configuration, never exposed in Webflow's client-side code.

Use low-code platforms

Xano connects to SQL Server through its External Database Query function and integrates with Webflow via the Xano marketplace app. Build authenticated API endpoints through a visual interface without backend code.

Retool lets you build embeddable applications displaying SQL Server data. Configure database credentials, drag pre-built components onto a canvas, and embed via iframe in Webflow pages.

Supabase can access SQL Server data through its MSSQL Foreign Data Wrapper.

Important limitation: The FDW supports read-only operations only — INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE to SQL Server are not supported, making bidirectional sync impossible with this approach.

Build with APIs

For maximum control, build custom middleware using Azure Functions, AWS Lambda, or similar serverless platforms.

Azure Data API Builder is Microsoft's official solution for exposing SQL Server as REST/GraphQL APIs. Configure which tables to expose, set permissions, and deploy as a containerized service. This requires backend deployment knowledge (Docker, cloud infrastructure).

Webflow CMS API provides REST endpoints for programmatic collection management. Use POST, PATCH, and DELETE operations on /v2/collections/{collection_id}/items endpoints with bearer token authentication.

**Rate limits: **Webflow allows 60 requests/minute on Starter/Basic plans, 120 requests/minute on CMS/Business plans. At 120 rpm, a 10,000-item sync requires approximately 83 minutes minimum.

What you can build

Integrate SQL Server with Webflow for dynamic content delivery through middleware architecture. Note: Webflow's standard plans cap CMS storage at 10,000 items.

• **E-commerce inventory sync: **Display product availability and pricing from ERP systems. Sync latency depends on catalog size: small catalogs (<600 items) achieve 5-10 minute syncs; large catalogs (10,000+ items) require 80+ minutes due to API rate limits.
• Customer portals: Build authenticated member areas displaying account-specific data like usage statistics or order tracking. Middleware filters data to show users only their own records.
• **Lead management: **Capture Webflow form submissions through webhooks, validate and enrich data in middleware, then insert into SQL Server sales databases.
• Business directories: Publish location data from centralized databases to Webflow sites. Standard plans support 10,000 CMS items maximum — larger directories require Enterprise plans or multi-project architectures.