Question SQL Server bak restore in MS Access

[Noel]

Hi,

What options exist for opening or converting a SQL Server backup file (.bak file) into MS Access?

Thanks,

Noel

 

[HiTechCoach]

How big is the database? If the database is close to 2 gig then it will be to large for an single Access database.

I would restore the .bak file into a SQL server instance. You can link then to the table with Access and export the data.

Do you have an SQL Server that can be used to restore the .bak file?

 

[Noel]

HiTechCoach - thanks for the reply.

The database is < 2 gigs (.bak file is ~250 mb)

Unfortunately, I don't have SQL server. Is there a free alternative that has the utility to transfer/convert to Access?

Presumably the database has various queries. Will those be lost?

Thanks again,

Noel

 

[Banana]

Noel, you can just use SQL Server Express Edition which is free to download & use. Given it's already in SQL Server, I'm tempted to say that it's probably just easier to leave the data in the SQL Server and link to it in Access.

 

[HiTechCoach]

Ditto. I totally agree with Banana.

If you load SQL Server express them you should be able to restore the .bak and get everything that is in the backup.

Note: SQL Server is just a back end. There will not be any forms or report in the .bak.

 

[Noel]

Thanks folks for your replies. It sounds like SQL Server Express is a good option.