Migrate from MS Access to SQL Server 2005 database

Posted on September 16, 2008 at 5:39 am

Recently, I had to migrate the data from an Access database to SQL Server 2005 because my database was getting too large for Access to handle. I decided that since it’s a fairly simple process, but something that many people might be doing, that I would write it up here as an article.

I’ve also written two other migration articles that you might be interested in: Migrating pictures from Flickr to Picasa and migrate from iPhone to iPhone 3G. Now back to Access to SQL.

First, you need to make sure you have SQL Server 2005 or SQL 2005 Express installed on your computer along with the SQL Server Management Studio. If so, you’re ready to export your Access database to SQL 2005.

Transfer Access database to SQL Server 2005

Open SQL Server Management Studio and connect to the database server you want to import your Access database into. Under Databases, right-click and choose New Database.

Give it a name and configure the other settings as needed and click OK. Now we need to right-click on the database we just created and choose Tasks and then Import Data.

On the Data Source dialog box, scroll up until you see Microsoft Access.

Next to File, click on Browse and navigate to the Access database you want to import and click Open. Note that the database cannot be in Access 2007 format as SQL Server 2005 does not recognize it! So if you have a 2007 Access database, first convert it to the 2002-2003 Access format by going to Save As.

Go ahead and click Next to choose the destination. Since you right-clicked on the database you wanted to import the data into, it should already be picked in the list.

Click Next and then specify how you want to transfer the data from Access to SQL by choosing either Copy the data from one or more tables or Write a query to specify the data to transfer.

In most cases, if you want to just transfer the entire database, you should choose the first option. If you want only a portion of the data from a particular table, you can write out the SQL query. Click Next.

By default all the tables should be selected and if you click the Edit button under Mapping, you’ll see the the destination database will create all of the tables to match what’s in the Access database.

Here I have only one table in my Access database. Click Next and then choose whether to execute immediately or to save it as a file to perform later.

Click Next and then click Finish. You’ll then see the progress of the data transfer as it occurs.

After it is completed, you’ll see the number of rows transferred for each table in the Message column.

Click Close and you should now have all of your Access data nicely imported into a SQL Server 2005 database, which you can then use for whatever you like.

Any problems importing your data from Access to SQL 2005? If so, post a comment and I’ll try to help!

» Filed Under MS Office Tips

Comments

29 Responses to “Migrate from MS Access to SQL Server 2005 database”

raaghav said on : September 27th, 2008 at 2:05 am

Thank you for yo help……….

Larry said on : September 29th, 2008 at 3:17 pm

I’m having an issue with an Access 2007 database being downconverted to 2002/3 and imported. I need to use this for InfoPath, and one of my tables (a repeating table) is not importing as such and causing issue in my form. Any advice?

Thank you,
Larry

Jayateertha said on : October 1st, 2008 at 5:43 am

Hello Sir!
i am getting one error while executing this. It says AcquireConnection Failed. please Help

Pat said on : October 1st, 2008 at 12:08 pm

After I move my access tables and views to sql 2005. How can I make web-based front end instead of Access front end? Thanks.

Lawrence Bird said on : October 6th, 2008 at 1:29 pm

I have no import tab on my sub menu!!!

Uday said on : October 9th, 2008 at 1:09 am

I had no problem importing data I made changes to connection string also.I am getting login screen but when I try to login through admin it is giving me error Error connecting to database. Error reads: Operation is not allowed when the object is closed.Please suggest some help.

Jim Boulton said on : October 22nd, 2008 at 1:38 pm

very useful

haider_up32 said on : October 23rd, 2008 at 12:16 pm

a similar guide is available on mysql.com to migrate from access to Mysql(open-source)

chandrima roy said on : October 23rd, 2008 at 4:32 pm

I was importing database from MS-Access .it was successful but few data in the tables are not inserted instead null value was inserted.

Can any one sugges me why I faced this problem?What is the solution for this?Is there any store procedure to solve such problem?

Koly said on : November 6th, 2008 at 3:18 am

There is no “Import Data …” option on my Tasks Sub-Menu lists.

Subbarao.kare said on : November 14th, 2008 at 2:06 am

Very useful

Harald said on : November 18th, 2008 at 12:47 am

I don’t have the option “Import Data” under Tasks

VSchelske said on : November 20th, 2008 at 4:15 pm

I don’t have the option “Import Data” under Tasks

SJT said on : November 28th, 2008 at 3:49 pm

Thanks! Really very helpful!

deepatss said on : November 30th, 2008 at 11:18 am

hello,

while i am importing database MS-Access to sql server 2005 its could not importing

its Showing like this:

The operation could not be completed.

Additional information:

-> Not a valid password.(Microsoft JET Database Engine)

What to do? can you give the solution.

Thanks,
Deepa

arta said on : December 8th, 2008 at 10:00 am

I don’t have the option “Import Data” under Tasks, too

arta said on : December 8th, 2008 at 11:39 am

other way:
Open your db in microsoft access and then choose a table you want to export.
You can`t choose all tables, only one by one.
Go to Export->more->ODBC data base and create a new data source.Choose a SQL Native Client driver
from the menu. Type a name->Next->Finish.
Then choose a Server from the drop down menu->Next->Next. If you have a data base created in SQL
in which you want to import the tables check “Change the default database to” and choose the name of your db.
Next-> Finish. When you create it, it`s not necessary to do it for every table.
Good luck

madhan raj said on : December 22nd, 2008 at 10:04 pm

Hi,

I tried migration from MS access 2002-03 format to MS SQL SERVER 2008 using the same procedure above and im getting some errors like

“* Error 0xc0202009: Data Flow Task 5: SSIS Error Code DTS_E_OLEDBERROR. An OLE DB error has occurred. Error code: 0×80004005.
An OLE DB record is available. Source: “Microsoft SQL Native Client” Hresult: 0×80004005 Description: “Invalid character value for cast specification”.
(SQL Server Import and Export Wizard)”

can anyone help on this ?

reda said on : January 12th, 2009 at 8:30 am

thank you

Lilian said on : January 14th, 2009 at 6:46 am

Hi!
I need to transfer Access 2007 db to SQL Server Express 2008 the Sql Server Import and Export Wizard doesn’t recognized abccdb format 2007 only 2000-2003 mbd format. I have to keep my database in 2007 can’t convert it format this a requirement. Is it possible somehow open access 2007 in Sql Server Express 2008?
Best regards,
Lilian

Glen said on : January 28th, 2009 at 5:38 pm

It worked. Very good instructions! Thanks so much for your help!!!!

Om prakash said on : February 7th, 2009 at 7:10 am

Sir,

I want to migrate MS Access 2003 to SQL Server Express 2005. I tried your above reply but I am using SQL Server Express 2005 and I don’t have the option “Import Data” under Tasks. I very much thankful i will get response.

Best Regards

Om Prakash

Vrushali said on : February 18th, 2009 at 7:09 am

Hi,

I’m trying to import ms access tables to sql with the help of query which is as follows:

EXEC sp_addlinkedserver
@server = ‘ACCESS_TRAINING_DB’,
@provider = ‘Microsoft.Jet.OLEDB.4.0′,
@srvproduct = ‘OLE DB Providr for Jet’,
@datasrc = ‘\\argon\data\training\training.mdb’

To query use the complete 4 part definition
i.e. Server.Database.schema.table

This works:-
SELECT * FROM ACCESS_TRAINING_DB…Employee
or
SELECT * FROM ACCESS_TRAINING_DB..dbo.Employee

plz help

Scott Taylor said on : February 20th, 2009 at 6:34 pm

Thanks for the info. It worked just fine!

Kevin said on : March 1st, 2009 at 10:54 pm

Wow, this is super helpful. I totally have to do this tomorrow.

Thanks dude/ Very helpful

sajad said on : March 25th, 2009 at 5:56 am

I tried to transfer database created in access 2003 to
sql server 2005 version 9, i could not beacuse their is no
import option in sql server managment.Please help me in this matter

Somaieh said on : April 27th, 2009 at 5:05 am

Hi every body
there is not need to convert access2007 to 2003 for migration from MS Access 2007 to SQL server 2005.
you can select “DataBase Tools” panel.In “Move Data” section you can choose “Sql Server” and simply follow wizard for moving your data.

nuge said on : August 29th, 2009 at 12:27 pm

Unable to find Import tab at sub menu

Asad said on : September 6th, 2009 at 6:07 am

It worked for me great. I have SQL server Developer’s Edition 2005. Those who are facing the issue “No Import Option”. Plz check ur version and edition.