# 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 like MariaDB or Percona Server. ## 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/)