No doubt, when we consider the best enterprise database systems, Microsoft SQL Server always wins the race. You can easily manage a database of any size with this application. Meanwhile, users can extract SQL table data in different formats. The most popular is CSV file type. The conversion of SQL Server data to CSV can be done from the SQL Server Management Studio.

However, due to a lack of knowledge, users become unable to follow the conversion of MDF to CSV. Therefore, in this technical post, we are going to show a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to export SQL Server database to CSV file without any trouble.

So, let’s begin!

Table of Content

Reasons to Convert SQL to CSV File Format

To know more about how to export SQL Server database to CSV file, it is often required for users and database administrators to understand the reasons for this export.

  • The most common reason for the conversion of MDF to CSV file format is to make the file and data portable. With the SQL Server file converted to a .csv format, users can efficiently share data across devices or platforms. 
  • Another reason for SQL Server export to CSV is the easy and hassle-free migration of SQL Database among various platforms, or to another server. 
  • With the SQL to CSV converted files, it becomes more convenient for the analysts to analyse the data and prepare accurate reports.
  • For easy archiving and backup of the database in SQL Server, the converted files from MDF to CSV file format are more helpful. 
  • The common reasons to know how to export SQL Server Database to CSV are efficient and easy access to the database files without relying on the SQL Server environment itself. 
  • When it comes to data auditing, the CSV files are much more efficient and easy to process. 
  • Unlike other formats that are platform-specific, CSV offers cross-platform compatibility, making it much easier for database administrators to use the file on different platforms.

Now, as we have read the common reasons for export SQL table to CSV, it is time to proceed with the step-by-step approach on how this process can be carried out.

Full Guide to Convert SQL Server Data to CSV Using SSMS – Manual Steps Explained

Here are the detailed steps to export database from SQL Server to CSV using SQL Server Management Studio. We will first understand how this method helps export the whole SQL Database to CSV.

Step 1: You need to open SQL Server Management Studio. Then connect to the database for MDF to CSV task.

Step 2: Go to the database whose data you want to export from SQL to CSV. Here, the SQL database name is ‘testing’, which consists of a table named ‘Example1’. You can first view its data as shown in the screenshot.

convert sql query to csv

Step 3: Now, right-click on ‘testing’ database. Next, click on Tasks to export table data in CSV.

ms sql export query result to csv

Step 4: Select Export data… from the Tasks menu to convert SQL to CSV.

extract sql data to csv

Step 5: Once you have clicked on the option, the SQL Server Import and Export Wizard opens. Here, you need to click on the Data source drop-down button to export whole SQL database to CSV and select SQL Server Native Client 11.0. Then, hit the Next button.

export mdf file to csv

Step 6: Under Choose a Destination page, opt for Flat File Destination to export data from MDF to CSV from SQL Server and click on Next to move on with how to export SQL Server database to CSV process.

sql server mdf to csv

Step 7: On the following window, click on Browse and enter a file name in which table data will save. Also, select CSV format and click on Open.

Browse a file

Step 8: In Choose a Destination window, you can also select Locale, Code Page, Text Qualifier. Once you have done with this, click on Next.

backup sql database to csv

Step 9: In Specify Table Copy or Query, you have two options from which you can export the SQL database into CSV format. Either you can choose Copy data from one or more tables or views or Write a query to specify the data to transfer. Here, we opt for first option for how to export SQL Server database to CSV and hit the Next button.

save sql data to csv

Step 10: Now, you can select the desired table for the conversion from Source table or view option. Plus, you can also change the default settings of Row & Column delimiters for MDF to CSV export.

Change Default Settings

Step 11: Click on the Preview button to get a brief view of SQL table that is going to export into CSV. In fact, choose Edit Mappings to manage the data.

Database preview

Step 12: You can easily view table schema along with data as shown in the screenshot after SQL Server export to CSV.

View SQL Table Database

Step 13: Afterward, you can either select Run immediately or select Save SSIS package to export table as CSV format from SQL Server. Then, click on Next.

convert sql database to csv

Step 14: In the Complete the Wizard window, the entire summary of export whole SQL database to CSV is shown on the dashboard. At last, click on Finish to initiate the process.

Summary Report

Step 15: You can also view the live status of the procedure that is displayed on the interface.

View SQL MDF to CSV Process

Step 16: After completing the task, click the Report drop-down button. To save the export all tables from SQL Server to CSV report for future analysis, opt for Save Report to File.

Save Conversion Report

Step 17: Save the activity file in Plain Text (*.txt) format on the system, then click the Save button.

Store log report

Step 18: This report consists of details of the complete SQL database to CSV conversion. If you face some error, then check this file and see what the error message conveys.

Preview your Report

How to Export SQL Server Database to CSV Professionally? Quick Steps Explained

In case users find the manual solutions tough or technical to convert SQL to CSV, they can rely on the advanced SysTools SQL Database Recovery Tool available. This advanced solution is capable of fixing damaged or deleted SQL objects. Moreover, it can easily export table from SQL Server to CSV file and also in SQL Database or SQL Scripts format. Download the tool to get the perfect solution with ease.

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With the help of this advanced utility, it becomes easier and more efficient to convert SQL Server database to CSV file and further share it among different users. Follow the quick steps to execute the SQL to CSV export:

Step 1. To export database from SQL Server to CSV, install and launch the tool & then add the MDF file.

add MDF

Step 2. Select one from Quick Scan or Advanced Scan mode.

set scan mode

Step 3. Select the Destination as CSV format to continue export all tables from SQL Server to CSV process.

select CSV export option

Step 4. Finally, hit the Export button to convert MDF to CSV format.

click save to export MDF to CSV

Note: This article is for SQL to CSV conversion. For SQLite, read how to export SQLite to CSV.

Bringing It All Together

That’s all about how to export SQL Server database to CSV file without any trouble. After reading this article, the readers will definitely get enough knowledge about how to extract data in CSV from Microsoft SQL Server. Plus, we have also discussed the conversion of a corrupted MDF file by first repairing it with an automated solution and then converting SQL to CSV efficiently.

FAQs

Q-1. How to see a MDF file?

Ans: To view MDF files, users either need the SQL Server environment with SSMS or the SysTools MDF Viewer Tool on the system.

Q-2. How do I export SQL query to CSV?

Ans: This is quite simple as it does not require any advanced tools. Just follow the steps below:

  1. Run the SQL query to select the required Data.
  2. Hit the Export tab and then Select Format as CSV.
  3. Click on the Export button.

Q-3. What is the row limit in SQL?

Ans: There is no limit on the number of rows in SQL Server tables. Moreover, there is no maximum limit stated by Microsoft.