# MySQL Data Source - Native Plugin

Grafana ships with a built-in MySQL data source plugin that allows you to query and visualize data from a MySQL compatible database.

## Adding the data source

1. Open the side menu by clicking the Grafana icon in the top header.
2. In the side menu under the Dashboards link you should find a link named Data Sources.
3. Click the + Add data source button in the top header.
4. Select MySQL from the Type dropdown.

Read more about it here:

[http://docs.grafana.org/features/datasources/mysql/](http://docs.grafana.org/features/datasources/mysql/)