Import MS Access Database to SQL Server Effortlessly

Migration is indeed an overwhelming procedure, however, it can be made less difficult with the correct information and approach. Therefore, we have brought you this blog. Here, we will explore the techniques on how to import Access to SQL server in a smooth and proficient manner.

Microsoft Access is a well-known database management system. It is an astonishing application for storing user data in an organized manner. Business and enterprise users can analyze and manage large amount of information. MS Access stores its data in two formats i.e., MDB and ACCDB. While MDB can only be accessed in MS Access versions 2003 and earlier. The ACCDB is the latest format of MS Access database.

On the other hand, SQL Server is a relational database management system (RDMS) developed by Microsoft. It uses .sql format to store its data. SQL server supports multiple business intelligence, analytics applications, and transaction processing in IT corporate environments. Let us move to our main topic i.e. how to transfer Microsoft access database to SQL server.

Benefits of Importing Access to SQL Server

There are numerous reasons why users turn towards migrating their Access data into SQL Server. Doing so, one receives several benefits as SQL Server itself is equipped with multiple features.

• Increased Availability: Whether incremental or complete, SQL Server allows you to dynamically back up the database while it’s still in use. Moreover, you also need not force users to exit the database in order to back it up.
• Immediate Recoverability: If due to unfortunate circumstances, the power goes out or the operating system crashes, the SQL server is capable enough to automatically recover the database to a consistent state in a matter of a few minutes. Moreover, it doesn’t even require any database administrator intervention as well.
• More Concurrent Users: Unlike MS Access, SQL Server can handle many more concurrent users. Along with that, it minimizes memory requirements when more users are added to it.
• Easy to Manage Larger Database: If your database size grown beyond the limit and hampering MS access performance. Then it the time to move to SQL server. Don’t worry in this case, you are allows to import old database from MS access to SQL server easily.
• Access SQL Server Remotely: SQL server allows users to access it remotely. It removes geographical hindrance and facility wide range of accessibility. Move to next level of data accessibility by moving from MS access to SQL server.

Now that we have learned what benefits you get when you import tables from Access to SQL Server. let us move on and see how to actually complete the import process.

Method-1: Import Access Database to SQL Server Manually

First we have the manual approach for importing MS Access to SQL server. Here are the quick and simple steps.

• Launch Microsoft SQL Server and open the Import/Export wizard in it.
• Next, select the “Microsoft Office 12.0 Access Database Engine OLE DB Provider” option as the “Data Source”.
• Then, in the “Data Source” field, select “Properties” and specify the location of the MS Access .accdb file.
• After that, under login information click on “Blank Password” and then, enter a blank username.
• Check if your connection works properly, and click OK.
• Next, choose “Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server” for the “Data Destination”.
• Then, from the dropdown menu, select and enter the MS SQL Server name. Upon providing the correct MS SQL information, the Access data you want to import will appear in the dropdown menu.
• After that, select “Copy data from one or more tables or views”.
• Proceeding forward, choose the tables that you want to copy and edit the mappings according to how you want to store your data.
• Finally, proceed through the wizard to start the import and click “Finish”.

So, this is the manual procedure for importing Access database to SQL Server for free. Unfortunately, this method comes along with certain limitations that every user cannot look past.

Drawbacks Associated with Above Free Solution

• This method includes a lot of steps which makes it lengthy in nature and thus, time-consuming and tedious.
• To follow through with this method, one needs technical insights. Unfortunately, not many users are that proficient in adapting technical procedures, thus, this method turns out to be complicated for them.
• Since it is a manual procedure, users need to manually execute every step, which means one single error could easily deescalate the process and even corrupt user data.
• To store their data, MS Access and SQL Server use different structures. Thus, in order to import Access database to SQL server correctly, you need to perform mapping according to how you want to store your data.

All these hindrances make import process complicated to execute for most users. One should not risk performing this process without any expert guidance, as it may cause them to lose their precious data.

So what can be done in this situation? Worry not, we have another solution up our sleeve. Moreover, this solution is backed by numerous technical professionals as the best solution to import table from Access to SQL Server proficiently.

Method-2: Expert Solution to Import Access to SQL Server

Countless experts suggest choosing an automated utility when dealing with database migration from one platform to another. Therefore, we have brought none other than the EmailDoctor Access Converter Tool. This splendid utility is packed with a plethora of special features that make the entire migration process easy and effortless.

It is also compatible with all versions of the Windows Operating System. User can use this tool on any Windows machine. So, what are you waiting for, follow the instructions and move database form MS Access to SQL server directly.

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Detailed Steps to Import Table from Access into SQL Server

Below listed steps are verified and safe to perform. Follow the instructions and easily migrate complete database from access to SQL server database:

Step-1: Download Access to SQL Migration tool and Install the expert-recommended software on your computer.

Step-2: Click on Browse to select and load your Access files into the software panel.

Step-3: Next, click Recover so that the software starts recovering and uploading the data from MS access database file to the software panel.

Step-4: Afterward, you will see the table details on the left panel of the Access to SQL server migration tool.

Step-5: Now, click the Export button and choose the “SQL Server” option from the list.

Step-6: Upon doing so, provide the Server Name and Authentication in the required fields and after that, provide a database name so that the tool names the migrated data with the same name in the destination.

Step-7: Next, choose whether you want to Export Only Schema or Both Schema and Data. Choose the radio button for the preferred option. If you want to enable the checkbox for the “Export Deleted Records” option if you prefer. At last, click on the “Export/Save” button to initiate the import process.

So, this was the hassle-free and smooth tutorial on importing Access to SQL Server database. Moreover, after the process completes, this utility also generates an export report which includes the table names and the number of records migrated during the process. Once the process is completed, you can head to SQL Server and verify the migrated records.

So There You Have It

In this article, we shared two different ways to import Access to SQL server database. Where one way was a manual approach of handling the task, the other option was an automated utility recommended by numerous technical professionals.

Unfortunately, the manual procedure comes with certain hindrances that make the procedure complicated to understand for users. Therefore, technical professionals suggest users go for the above-mentioned expert recommended MS access to SQL server migration tool for a smooth and hassle-free process.

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