Sometimes a legacy application relies on a Microsoft Access database that needs to be upgraded to a more robust system like SQL Server. In this guide, you will walk through the step-by-step process of transferring your Access database into SQL Server without writing a single line of code.
🧭 Step 1: Open Your Access Database
Launch Microsoft Access and open the database you want to migrate. Once it is open, go to the top menu and click on Database Tools.
🔌 Step 2: Start the SQL Server Migration Wizard
In the Database Tools ribbon, click the SQL Server button. This will launch the Upsizing Wizard, which will guide you through the rest of the steps.
🆕 Step 3: Choose Target Option
If this is your first time transferring this database, choose Create New Database. You will also have an option to continue using a previously created SQL Server database if you are performing a retry.
🖥️ Step 4: Enter SQL Server Connection Info
On the next screen:
Enter the name of the SQL Server instance. If it is your local machine, type
.\SQLEXPRESSChoose Use Trusted Connection if you want to connect using your Windows credentials
Enter a name for the new SQL database or accept the default one provided
📋 Step 5: Select the Tables to Migrate
You will be shown a list of tables in your Access database. Select the ones you want to migrate. You can migrate all at once or pick them one by one.
⚙️ Step 6: Define Table Options
You can now choose additional properties for the tables being migrated such as relationships and indexes. However, be cautious. The more options you enable, the higher the chance of encountering transfer errors.
▶️ Step 7: Start the Migration
Click Next followed by Finish to start the data migration. The wizard will begin copying the schema and data. If it throws an error, click OK and continue. Later, you can repeat the process for failed tables.
If you are retrying, make sure to choose Existing Database in Step 3.
🧪 Step 8: Verify in SQL Server
Once the process is complete, open your SQL Server Management Studio. Connect to the SQL Server instance and confirm that the database and tables have been successfully imported.
🧩 Conclusion
Migrating from Access to SQL Server is a straightforward process if you follow each step carefully. With just a few clicks, you can upgrade your application backend to a more scalable and secure platform. Always test the new database after migration to make sure everything works as expected.