Do you have a problem using the utilities that came with SQL Server to export your data? We have developed a simple Windows Utility to export tables from your SQL Server Databases to external files. Currently the utility can copy/export your data from a SQL Server Database to either an Access Database, or delimited or fixed length text "Flat Files". These files can then be used as "backup" files or with other applications.

This utility is being tested with SQL Server versions 2000, 2005, and 2008. SQL Server 2012 testing is scheduled soon.

  • Current Version: 0.2.8 - 04/15/2013
    • Added: "Date" data type.
    • Trial Version Expiration Date of 12/31/2013.

While we develop this utility, we are making Beta versions available for the public to use. Use at your own risk. The current version is  0.2.8  and is available for you to download.

Please let us know about your experiences with this utility.

Old Versions:

  • Version: 0.2.7 - 04/19/2012
    • Added: Include SQL Server Name in output file name, settable in options.
    • Fixed: Minor fixes
  • Version: 0.2.6 - 04/10/2012
    • Added: Flat File routine now uses the Output Individual option.
    • Added: Add to Options and use in SQL Insert output: SET IDENTITY_INSERT [tablename] On/Off
    • Added: Add to Options and use in SQL Insert output: USE [database]
    • Fixed: Flat File Output, bit value changed from True/False to 1/0
  • Version: 0.2.5 - 04/06/2012
    • Fixed Options Updating Issues.
  • Version: 0.2.4 - 12/02/2011
    • Minor Code Reorganizations.
    • Added: Registration Capabilities.
  • Version: 0.2.3 - 10/06/2011
    • Trial Version Expiration Date of 12/31/2012
  • Version: 0.2.2 - 03/29/2011
    • Added Text Tool Tips for EditScript Routine
    • Fix: Space in Table Name caused an error for Access Database copy
  • Version: 0.2.1 - 02/23/2011
    • Reorganized for .Net Framework 3.5.
    • Added Database Backup Scripting, specify tables and conditional testing.
    • New Backup Type of SQL Insert Statements.
    • Added MRU for Server/Database Selection.
    • Added MRU for Scripting Selection
    • Trial Version Expiration Date of 06/31/2011.
    • Show Tables on Initial Load Option if Server/DB defined.
  • Version: 0.1.0.9 - 03/12/2010
    • Text Tool Tips added for commands.
    • New SQL Server and Database select link on main form.
  • Version: 0.1.0.8 - 03/10/2010
    • Minor errors corrected.
  • Version: 0.1.0.7 - 08/12/2009
    • Nothing exciting.
  • Version: 0.1.0.6 - 10/10/2008
    • Ability to manually enter a SQL Server name on Server Selection menu in case a server can not be found or completely qualified (server1\sqlexpress).
    • Added table Schema name inclusion in identifying true table name.
    • Added xml to list of columns copied.
    • For Access, limited Table, Primary Key, and Procedure names to be a max of 64 characters.
    • Miscellaneous code/logic fixes.
  • Version: 0.1.0.5 - 09/23/2008
    • For Access, added option to save or not save primary index key.
    • For Access, do not create index if one of index fields is a MEMO field. Access will only look at the first 255 characters resulting in a possible duplicate key.
  • Version: 0.1.0.4 - 09/19/2008
    • Original version use data tables to write to access database. This version added a second method, Access Stored Procedures. SP's are about twice as fast in adding records to Access database. The program defaults in using SP's but can be changed in the options to use original data table method.
  • Version: 0.1.0.3 - 08/04/2008 - Initial Beta version

For additional technical explanations of what is taking place, please go to our SQLdbCopy Tech Blog page or our internal Tech page.

Flat File Fixed Width Override Format: Using the "Options" command, you can set the location of the Format Override folder. A format override text file is used to set the field widths for Flat File output. If you do not specify an override file, the utility will determine the width to use for each column in a table. The utility will use the larger of; the length of the column name, or the length of the largest data item found for that column in a table.

If you want to specify your own field width for some or all of the column in a table, place a text file in the format override folder with a name of Fmt[DBName].txt - such as; FmtAdventureWorks.txt.

The format of the override text file is a line with three items for each table column that you want to override, keeping in mind to put the Schema Name before the Table name with a "_" between;
TableName, ColumnName, ColumnWidth - such as: Person_Address, City, 35

Other enhancements on the drawing board;

  • Unattended Execution - Run as a scheduled job in the background
  • Other output formats; Excel?
  • Help File

Prerequisites:
Microsoft Dot Net Framework 2.0
Microsoft Dot Net Framework 3.5 SP1
Microsoft MDAC 2.8 (adox for Access DB)