How to Move Access to Microsoft SQL

Microsoft Access is a database application that is sold as part of the Microsoft Office suite. It is used to build and manage databases. However, when the database has grown too large to manage within the application, you will have to upgrade to a more robust program such as Microsoft SQL Server. Fortunately, you can use the SQL Server Data Transformation Services wizard to import an Access database without losing its format or data during the import process.

• 1

  Launch Microsoft Access. Click the "Microsoft Office" button and select "Open" from the drop-down list. Navigate to the Access database you want to import into Microsoft SQL, then double-click it to open it in the workspace.

• 2

  Click the "Microsoft Office" button again, then select "Export" from the drop-down list. The Export utility window will open. Select the destination on your hard drive to save the exported database. Type a name in the "Name" box and select ".mdb" as the file format in the "Save as type" drop-down box. Click the "Save" button.

• 3

  Launch Microsoft SQL Server. Click "Tools" in the main menu, then select "Data Transformation Services" from the drop-down menu. The Data Transformation Services wizard will open.

• 4

  Click "Import Data," then select "Microsoft Access as the Source" in the "Choose a Data Source" dialog box. Navigate to the exported Access database on your hard drive and select it.

• 5

  Select "Microsoft OLE DB Provider for SQL Server" in the "Choose a Destination" dialog box, then select the database server you want to use. Click the authentication mode that you use on the server from the list.

• 6

  Click "Copy tables" in the "Specify Table Copy or Query" dialog box, then click "Select All" in the "Select Source Tables" dialog box. The Access database will be imported into the SQL Server.