How to Export Database From SQL Server to CSV File Format?

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 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!

Reasons to Convert SQL to CSV File Format

• 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 export whole SQL database to CSV are the efficient and easy access of the database files without relying on the SQL Server environment itself. 
• When it comes to data auditing, the CSV files are much 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 in different platforms.

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

How to Export Data as CSV Format from SQL Server Using SSMS?

We will now discuss the SQL Server Management Studio way for SQL Server export to CSV. This method requires the users to have a proper knowledge of the tool and further proceed with the steps correctly. If a user follows the instructions below carefully, then converting a SQL Database MDF to CSV is a very easy method.

Full Guide to Convert SQL Server Data to CSV Using SSMS

Here are the detailed steps for how to export SQL Server database to CSV with the help of SQL Server Management Studio. We will first understand how this method helps and then move to a quicker and professional approach for the export whole SQL Database to CSV process.

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 consist of a table named as ‘Example1’. You can first view its data as shown in the screenshot.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Step 11: Click on 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.

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

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.

Step 14: In 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.

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

Step 16: After the completion of task, click on 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.

Step 17: Save the activity file with Plain Text (*.txt) format on the system and click on Save button.

Step 18: This report consists details of the complete SQL database to CSV conversion. If you face some error, then check this file and see what error message convey. After that, take action according to it.

How to Export SQL Server Database to CSV Automatically? 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 the damaged or deleted SQL objects. Moreover, it can easily export all tables 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.

Follow the quick steps to execute the SQL to CSV export:

Step-1. Launch the Tool & then Add MDF file.

Step-2. Set the Scan mode to Quick or Advanced.

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

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

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 definitely will get enough knowledge about how to extract data in CSV from Microsoft SQL Server. Plus, we have also discussed the conversion of corrupted MDF file by first repairing it with an automated solution and then convert 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 SysTools MDF Viewer Tool in 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 below steps:

1. Run SQL query to Select required Data.
2. Hit the export Tab > Select Format as CSV.
3. Hit 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.