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Export SQL Database to Another Server – Best Ways Available

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Published By Siddharth Tehri
Aswin Vijayan
Approved By Aswin Vijayan
Published On January 18th, 2024
Reading Time 5 Minutes Reading

Export SQL Database to Another Server

Do you want to know how to export SQL database to another server? If yes, then keep reading the blog as a lot users have a similar query. This is why this blog is all about the solution to

Whether you are updating or migrating to a different server or a cloud, this article is for you. In this weblog you will learn the following methods to copy or migrate SQL server data to another server:

– Backup & Restore Method (SSMS)
– Copy SQL database to different server (SSMS)
– Using SQL Server Database Migration Tool

Method 1: Move SQL Server Database Using Backup & Restore Facility of SSMS

This process will take place in two section, first we have to backup the SQL data & secondly restore it on another server using the SSMS only.

Part1: Backing up the SQL Server Databases

Step-1: In the SSMS, go to “Object Explorer”.

Step-2: Click “Database” and select the database file you want to export by using Right-click.

Step-3: Then, go to “Tasks” >> “Back Up”.

Step-4: “Backup Database” dialogue box will open. Make sure to ‘set the Back type’ as Full & ‘Destination’ as Disk.

Step-5: Click on “Add” to state your backup destination.

Step-6: Click on “OK”.

Now we will have to restore the backup that we created. For this, we need to move to the phase two or we can say part two. To move SQL database to another server, dividing the operation into phases makes it simplified.

Part 2: Follow These Steps to Restore the Backup on Your New Server or System

Step-1: Open SQL Server Management Studio and connect to your database.

Step-2: Choose your database by right-clicking on it and then, go to “Tasks” >> “Restore” >> “Database”.

Step-3: ‘Restore Database’ dialogue box will appear.

Step-4: Using the ‘Source’ section to specify the source and location of the backup, on the general page. Select ‘Device’ >> click on the (…) to choose your backup file.

Step-5: In ‘Specify Backup’ window, set ‘Back media’ as File.

Step-6: After that, click on “Add” and pick your backup file. Click on “OK”.

Step-7: On ‘Restore Database’ wizard, under “Select a page panel”, click on options.

Step-8: Specify the ‘Restore options’ and ‘Recovery state’ as per your need and click on “OK”.

Method 2: Export SQL Database to Another Server by Copy Wizard

This is a lot simpler than making backup and restore the SQL server data.

Follow These Steps to copy SQL server database from one server to another by Using Copy Method:

Step-1: Go to ‘Object Explorer’ in SSMS.

Step-2: Select your database file using right-click, then, go on ‘Task’ >> ‘Copy Database’.

Step-3: Specify the name of the source server. Do the authentication process and hit on ‘Next’.

Step-4: Enter the Destination server name and do the authentication.

Step-5: Select ‘Use SQL Management Object Method’ and click ‘Next’.

Step-6: Put check on the ‘Copy’ box, click ‘Next’.

Step-7: Check your MDF and LDF files path for the destination server.

Step-8: Press ‘Run Immediately’.

Step-9: Click on Finish and your database will be copied.

After performing the above steps, refresh the destination server to view your copied database.

Points to Remember:

– Above methods can be time taking.
– As both methods are done using the SSMS which is a highly expensive software, so its a quite high-cost deal.

Export SQL Database to Another Server Using Migrator For SQL

The advantages of using this software:

– The software is super affordable, it will cost you almost 23x less than SSMS.
– It also helps you to repair damaged MDF file.
– It will let you export selected SQL objects and database.
– You can choose to export schema and records or only schema.

Download Now Purchase Now

Steps to Export SQL Database to Another Server Using The Software:

Step-1: You can download the free edition from above and launch it in your system.

SQL server database migrator

Step-2: Click on ‘Open’ (given on the top-left side) to load your database files.

loading SQL files

Step-3: After adding the database file, choose between ‘Online mode’ (exporting data from live SQL server) or ‘Offline mode’ (exporting data from offline file). Fill in the details.

Step-4: After scanning, the tool will let preview the database objects. Click on “Export”.

Step-5: In this step, you have to select the export option. Since you want to export your SQL database to another server, choose “SQL Server Database”. There are other that you can choose according to your needs. Lastly, click on “Export” to move sql database to another server safely.

Export SQL database to another server

And we are done here!

Note: You can also use SQL commands for backing up of a SQL server database and restore it on a different server, but you have to mount and dismount the data accordingly. Also, this method (SQL commands) does not guarantee full database transfer.

In a Nutshell

We can say that if users want to copy SQL server database from one server to another using the manual solution, there can be plenty of issues. This is why users need to focus more on automated solutions. As per IT experts, the automated solution is quite advanced to export SQL database to another server without any hassles. Moreover, AI technology integration with advanced algorithms helps users get the best results.