Data Management

Use DTS to Migrate an Access Database to MSDE

By carareynolds

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Use DTS to Migrate an Access Database to MSDE

Use DTS to Migrate an Access Database to MSDE

Use DTS to Migrate an Access Database to MSDE

With an aging homebrew helpdesk system increasingly experiencing speed and usability issues, database admins on a budget ($0) find a simple, affordable, and effective solution by using Microsoft Data Transformation Services (DTS) to migrate the backend Access database to Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE). This gallery shows you the migration process.

Use DTS to Migrate an Access Database to MSDE

Select DTS

Select DTS

This screenshot shows the selection of DTS as the data migration tool. You will go to Tools -> Data Transformation Services -> Import Data in SQL Enterprise manager to access the DTS Wizard.

Use DTS to Migrate an Access Database to MSDE

Select Data Source

Select Data Source

In the first screen, you will select the source you want to import your data from. For this exercise, we will be converting from MS Access to SQL so we will select Microsoft Access as the Data Source.

Use DTS to Migrate an Access Database to MSDE

Create New SQL Database

Create New SQL Database

You may need to import your data into a new SQL database. You can create a new database within the wizard by selecting NEW from the database dropdown list.

Use DTS to Migrate an Access Database to MSDE

Select Data to Copy

Select Data to Copy

Within the wizard you will be prompted for the data to copy. You can select all by using the Select All button, or manually check the tables. You can also change the destination tables of the data, or specify specific transformations of the data.

Use DTS to Migrate an Access Database to MSDE

Prepare the Copy

Prepare the Copy

You will be offered the offered the choice of using the GUI tool to select the data you wish to transform, or you can use a T-SQL query to specify the data transformation.

Use DTS to Migrate an Access Database to MSDE

Run or Schedule

Run or Schedule

You will then be prompted to Run the transformation, schedule it to run later, save the package to be executed later, or a combination of all of these.

Use DTS to Migrate an Access Database to MSDE

Run DTS

Run DTS

While DTS is running you will be able to view the tables that are completed, and the amount of data that has been transformed in each.

Use DTS to Migrate an Access Database to MSDE

Tables in SQL

Tables in SQL

After the wizard is complete, you will be able to view your new tables via SQL Enterprise Manager, or by any other method of D.B. access you use.

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By carareynolds
Cara Reynolds an editor on TechRepublic's content team. She has been working in educational, licensed, and Web publishing for more years than she cares to admit and hosts the Right Tool for the Job blog on TechRepublic.