SQL Developer: Install and Configure for Mac

SQL Developer is a free application delivered by Oracle which can be used to create and run queries for working with data in the Oracle databases.

IMPORTANT: The preferred method for using SQL Developer is to use Microsoft (MS) Visual Studio (VS) Code with the SQL Developer plugin.

• An alternative method is to use SQL Developer through the AppsToGo application.
• If you are not able to use MS VS Code and prefer not to use AppsToGo, then follow the steps below to install SQL Developer locally.

Table of Contents

• Verifying Proper version of JDK is installed
• Downloading and Installing SQL Developer
• Creating a Connection to Data Warehouse using SQL Developer
• Creating and Running a Query
• Exporting Query Results€‹

Verifying Proper version of JDK is installed

As of January 2026, Oracle is optionally including  Java Development Kit (JDK) 17 with SQL Developer 24.3

1. Click on the desktop
2. Select Go in the Finder menu
3. Select Applications. The Applications folder is displayed.
4. Double-click Utilities. The Utilities folder is displayed.
5. Double-click Terminal. The Terminal application opens.
6. Type java -version
7. Press Enter. If JDK is installed, the version will be displayed.
   
   1. The version will be the first line. This example shows 1.8
   2. Note: there are various distributions of Java: OpenJDK, Oracle, Amazon Coretta, etc. They all will work with SQL Developer.

Downloading and Installing SQL Developer

Oracle offers SQL Developer for Windows, Mac and Linux. Downloads are available with or without a compatible JDK.

• If the computer has a compatible JDK version, download the appropriate SQL Developer offering which does not include the JDK.
• If the computer does not have a compatible version of Java, downloading the appropriate SQL Developer offering which includes the JDK is easiest.

Once you have downloaded the desired version of SQL Developer, follow the Installation Notes which are linked on the SQL Developer download page.

Creating a connection to an Oracle database using SQL Developer

If you are using a Wireless connection on campus, or you are off campus, VPN is required. Download the Secure Client VPN for Mac OS X client from the Technology Help website.

1. Open SQL Developer from the Applications folder on the computer.
   1. You may see a Problem initializing the JavaFX runtime error. Select OK to dismiss it.
2. Click the green + symbol in the upper left to create a new connection. The connection settings window is displayed.
3. Type a name for the connection in the Connection Name field
4. Type the database username in the Username field
5. Type your password in the Password field
   • Note: OIT database admins strongly recommend leaving the Save Password box unchecked
6. Click the Connection Type drop-down selector and select Basic
7. Enter the correct host in the Hostname field
8. Set Port to 1521 if not already defaulted to this value
9. Click the Service Name radio button option
   1. Enter the correct Service Name for the database you are connecting to in the Service Name field.
10. Click Test. If changes need to be made, edit as necessary and retest.
11. Click Save
    1. Click Connect

Creating and Running a Query

1. A new tab will appear in the workspace where you can enter the query. Type in a new query, or paste in a query that was archived from the Web Query Tool.
2. Click the green run button in the Query Builder toolbar to execute the query.
3. The query results will be displayed at the bottom in the Query Results panel.

Exporting Query Results

1. Right-Click (mac: CTRL-Click) on any field in the query results area. A contextual menu is displayed.
2. Select Export. The Export Wizard is displayed.
3. Choose a format for the exported data.
   1. Note: when the drop-down list opens, it will be in the middle of the list. Scroll up to find CSV or Excel
   2. Depending on the format selected, a set of options will be displayed. They can all be left with the default selections.
4. Click the Browse button next to the file location. The Save dialog is displayed.
5. Click the Location selector at the top.
6. Browse to the location where you want the file saved.
7. Enter a File Name
8. Click Save. The save dialog is closed, and the Export Wizard is displayed.
9. Click Next. The Export Summary is displayed.
10. Click Finish. The file will be saved.