Migrate on-premises SQL Server or SQL Server on Azure VMs to Azure SQL Database using the Data Migration Assistant

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Important

Data Migration Assistant (DMA) is deprecated. For migration options from SQL Server to Azure SQL, see the migration options for SQL Server to Azure SQL.

The Data Migration Assistant provides seamless assessments of SQL Server on-premises and upgrades to later versions of SQL Server or migrations to SQL Server on Azure VMs or Azure SQL Database.

This article provides step-by-step instructions for migrating SQL Server on-premises to Azure SQL Database by using the Data Migration Assistant.

Create a new migration project

  1. On the left pane, select New (+), and then select the Migration project type.

  2. Set the source type to SQL Server and the target server type to Azure SQL Database.

  3. Select Create.

    Screenshot of Create migration project.

Specify the source server and database

  1. For the source, under Connect to source server, in the Server name text box, enter the name of the source SQL Server instance.

  2. Select the Authentication type supported by the source SQL Server instance.

    Note

    It's recommended that you encrypt the connection by selecting the Encrypt connection check box under Connection poperties.

    Screenshot of Select source server.

  3. Select Connect.

  4. Select a single source database to migrate to Azure SQL Database.

    Note

    If you would like to assess the database and view and apply recommended fixes before migration, select the Assess database before migration? check box.

    Screenshot of Select source database.

  5. Select Next.

Specify the target server and database

  1. For the target, under Connect to target server, in the Server name text box, enter the name of the Azure SQL Database instance.

  2. Select the Authentication type supported by the target Azure SQL Database instance.

    Note

    It's recommended that you encrypt the connection by selecting the Encrypt connection check box under Connection poperties.

    Screenshot of Select target server.

  3. Select Connect.

  4. Select a single target database to which to migrate.

    Note

    If you intend to migrate Windows users, in the Target external user domain name text box, make sure that the target external user domain name is specified correctly.

    Screenshot of Select target database.

  5. Select Next.

Select schema objects

  1. Select the schema objects from the source database that you want to migrate to Azure SQL Database.

    Screenshot of Select schema objects.

    Note

    Some of the objects that can't be converted as-is are presented with automatic fix opportunities. Selecting these objects on the left pane displays the suggested fixes on the right pane. Review the fixes and choose to either apply or ignore all changes, object by object. Applying or ignoring all changes for one object doesn't affect changes to other database objects. Statements that can't be converted or automatically fixed are reproduced to the target database and commented.

    Screenshot of Suggested fix.

  2. Select General SQL script.

  3. Review the generated script.

    Screenshot of Generated script.

Deploy schema

  1. Select Deploy schema.

  2. Review the results of the schema deployment.

    Screenshot of Schema deployment results.

  3. Select Migrate data to initiate the data migration process.

  4. Select the tables with the data you want to migrate.

    Screenshot of Select tables to migrate.

  5. Select Start data migration.

The final screen shows the overall status.

Screenshot of Migration status.

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