Migrating Access databases to SQL Server - Azure SQL Database (AccessToSQL)

SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) is a tool that provides a comprehensive environment that helps you quickly migrate Access databases to SQL Server or SQL Azure. By using SSMA, you can review Access and SQL Server or Azure SQL Database objects, assess the Access database for migration, convert Access database objects, load them into SQL Server or SQL Azure, and then migrate data.

To successfully migrate objects and data from Access to SQL Server or SQL Azure, use the following process:

  1. Create a new SSMA Project. After you create the project, you can set project options, including conversion options, migration options, and data type mappings.

  2. Add Access database files to the project.

    You can add individual files, including files that you find on the computer or network.

  3. Connect to the target instance of SQL Server or Connect to the target instance of SQL Azure.

    You can connect either to SQL Server or SQL Azure.

  4. To customize the mapping between one or more Access databases and SQL Server or SQL Azure schemas, map the source and target databases.

  5. Optionally, you can create an assessment report to determine whether the Access database objects can be successfully converted to SQL Server or SQL Azure.

  6. Convert Access database objects to SQL Server or SQL Azure object definitions.

  7. Load the converted database objects into SQL Server.

    You can load either the database objects into SQL Server or SQL Azure by using SSMA, or you can save Transact-SQL scripts.

  8. Migrate Access data into SQL Server.

    Note

    You can convert, load, and migrate schemas and data in one step. To perform one-click migration, click the Convert, Load, and Migrate button.

  9. If you want your Access applications to use the data in SQL Server or SQL Azure, use link the Access tables to the SQL Server tables.

You can also use the Migration Wizard to guide you through this process. For more information, see Migration Wizard.

See also

Getting Started with SQL Server Migration Assistant for Access
Preparing Access Databases for Migration