---
title: Specifying database tables and columns
description: In the Database Table and Columns window, you can specify exactly where additional data can be found to fulfill your use case. You can only use one table as a source of data for a database query.
component: pingfederate
version: 13.1
page_id: pingfederate:administrators_reference_guide:pf_specifying_database_tables_columns
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingfederate/13.1/administrators_reference_guide/pf_specifying_database_tables_columns.html
llms_txt: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingfederate/llms.txt
docs_for_agents: https://developer.pingidentity.com/build-with-ai/docs-for-agents.md
revdate: July 10, 2024
section_ids:
  about-this-task: About this task
  steps: Steps
  example: Example
---

# Specifying database tables and columns

In the **Database Table and Columns** window, you can specify exactly where additional data can be found to fulfill your use case. You can only use one table as a source of data for a database query.

## About this task

For more information about each field, see the following table.

| Field                         | Description                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| ----------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Schema                        | Lists the table structure that stores information within a database. Some databases require selection of a specific schema for database queries. Other databases do not require selection of a schema. |
| Table                         | Displays the tables contained in the database. Select the table to retrieve data from the datastore.                                                                                                   |
| Columns to return from SELECT | Displays selected columns from the selected tables. Select the columns that are associated with the desired attributes you want to return from the database queries.                                   |

|   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| - | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|   | For MySQL users — To allow for table and column names that might contain spaces, PingFederate inserts double quotes around the names at runtime. To avoid SQL syntax errors resulting from the quotes, add the session variable `sql_mode=ANSI_QUOTES` to the Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) connection string of your datastore instance, as in the following example.`jdbc:mysql://myhost.mydomain.com:3306/pf?sessionVariables=sql_mode=ANSI_QUOTES`Alternatively, you can configure the system variable *sql\_mode* with the `ANSI_QUOTES` option. Learn more in [Server System Variables](https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.7/en/server-system-variables.html) in the MySQL documentation. |

## Steps

1. From the **Schema** list, choose a schema when applicable.

2. From the **Table** list, select a table.

3. (Optional) To determine what attributes to examine, click **View Attribute Contract**.

4. (Optional) To update an existing configuration where changes to the database might have occurred, click **Refresh**.

5. Under **Columns to return from SELECT**, choose a column name and click **Add Attribute**.

   |   |                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
   | - | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
   |   | You do not have to add a column here to use it as part of a search filter. Add only the column that is required by subsequent sibling configuration items, such as contract fulfillment or token authorization. Any added columns left unused are removed when the configuration is saved. |

   Repeat this step to add more columns as needed.

## Example

Example

Suppose you, the identity provider (IdP), have a data table named **ACCESSTABLE** with thee columns: `userid`, `department`, and `accesslevel`. Your use case requires you to map `accesslevel` into a SAML contract to an SP.

On the **Database Table and Columns** window, select the **ACCESSTABLE** table and add the `accesslevel` column.