Hi, We have requirement to migrate data from .bak file to azure sql. I have tried to see documentation but could find migration using .bak file. Can we migrate data using .bak file to azure sql? Thanks

Native SQL Server backups are not supported on Azure SQL. My suggestion is to restore that .BAK backup on a SQL Server instance on-premise or located on Azure, then create a bacpac that can then be imported as a new Azure SQL database . Another option you have, once you have restored the BAK file into a SQL Server instance, you can also use tools like Azure Data Studio or Data Migration Assistant to migrate the database you have restored to Azure SQL. This is the option I recommend you. These tools provide you assessments to see how compatible is the database in your .BAK with Azure SQL, and that assessment will tell you what remediations are needed before taking that database to Azure SQL.

Migrate .bak file to azure sql

Accepted answer

Alberto Morillo 33,341 Reputation points MVP

2023-06-14T20:29:39.4466667+00:00

Native SQL Server backups are not supported on Azure SQL. My suggestion is to restore that .BAK backup on a SQL Server instance on-premise or located on Azure, then create a bacpac that can then be imported as a new Azure SQL database.

Another option you have, once you have restored the BAK file into a SQL Server instance, you can also use tools like Azure Data Studio or Data Migration Assistant to migrate the database you have restored to Azure SQL. This is the option I recommend you. These tools provide you assessments to see how compatible is the database in your .BAK with Azure SQL, and that assessment will tell you what remediations are needed before taking that database to Azure SQL.
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Vikas Tiwari 766 Reputation points

2023-06-15T03:31:04.6666667+00:00

Thanks @Alberto Morillo I saw documentation on Migration assistant but was not clear if .BAK file supported now as you mentioned I will need temporary data landing zone as managed instance.

Alberto Morillo 33,341 Reputation points MVP

2023-06-15T12:33:51.8566667+00:00

Yes, you will need a temporary or intermediary data landing. You can use an Azure VM with SQL Server installed or a virtual machine or computer on-premise where you can restore the backup. On the same computer install Data Migration Assistant (DMA)and let DMA make an assessment first, if the assessment does not show any critial incompatibility let DMA migrate the database to Azure SQL. If you have more questions just let me know.
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Migrate .bak file to azure sql

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