Perform Table Level Recovery in SQL Server – Learn Multiple Techniques

“Certain tables of my database have become corrupt recently due to virus attack. Some of my friends suggested me methods that will restore the whole SQL database. But, all I want to do is to restore only those tables, not the entire database. Is there any SQL Server option that allows to perform table level recovery in SQL Server. For your information, the database I have is a production database.”

SQL Server database restoration is not an uncommon incident for SQL admins. Once in a while, people need to recover their database components and restore them back to the existing or a different database. Take table level recovery for example. If some tables of an SQL database become corrupt, or the tables become deleted, users need to recover those tables.

Since table level restore in SQL server is different from the recovery of an entire database, many users wonder about how to perform this recovery. To help them, this post will describe different methods to execute SQL table recovery.

Table Level Recovery in SQL Server – Know the Various Ways

Also Read: The user can read the another post to know how to repair SQL Server Corrupt Tables.

If you are willing to recover tables, you can do that using different approaches. Let’s discuss some of the main methods of table-level restoration.

1. By Database Restoration:

The most common and quick way of native table level restore in SQL Server is to restore the whole database to a new one and copy back the table to the original database. Through this method, both the full database restoration and point in time restoration can be done. This process becomes difficult to execute in case of large sized database.

2. By Log File Restoration:

STOPAT clause is another way that restores the recent good backup and rolls back to the point in time prior to the appearance of the issue. This is the ideal way While using full recovery mode or bulk-logged recovery mode for the database. If this method is used, all the data edits made to the tables after the corruption will be overwritten.

3. By Utilizing a View:

By moving the particular table to a new database, users can back up that table separately and restore whenever needed. Users can utilize a view to access the complete data of the table from within the original database. During any edits to the definition columns of the table, you have to update the metadata of the view.

4. By Taking a Snapshot:

Through the creation of a snapshot of the database and using it as the source, the contents of a damaged table can be fixed. But users have to make sure that the snapshot creation should be done prior to the occurrence of the issue. If users want to use this method, they have to take new snapshot after each time the database is modified.

5. By Recovering Table from Backed Up Database:

If the tables have become corrupted due to some accidents or infections, the tables can be restored from the last good backup. For that, follow these steps:

• Manually perform the restoration process of SQL database and Log file backup taken before the accident. Restore in a new database located in the same Server.

• Perform data replication from the new to the old database. In case of Table drop, use SELECT INTO statement to recreate the table structure and make the data return to the old/ original database. In case of missing rows, users have to include the missing table rows in the original database using appropriate script.

• If the original tables contain indexes, full-text indexes, triggers, etc., recreate them. Additionally, manually fix referential integrity problems, if any.

• Finally, check out the health status of the table through this script:

DBCC CHECKTABLE ("table_XYZ")

6. By Creating a Synonym:

Transferring the table to another database and having a synonym for the table located in the original database is another approach to recover tables.

Looking For Table Level Restore in SQL Server Automatically?

If you find these methods hectic or looking for a technique that requires less supervision on behalf of the user, SQL Recovery Tool is the right choice for you. This application is considered as one of the most trustworthy ways to perform SQL table recovery and restore the database. When it comes to table level recovery in SQL Server, this software allows users to choose the selective or all tables of the SQL server.

It does not matter whether the data of the tables have been deleted or damaged; this utility can seamlessly recover those tables without any hardship. This application supports all major versions of SQL Server including 2019, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008, 2005, etc. It provides the facility to restore the tables in the existing database or a new database.

Steps to Perform Table Level Recovery in SQL Server

1. Install and Run the Software on Your system.

2. Click on Add file and browse the MDF file from your system.

3. Now Preview the SQL Database Table Data.

4. Click on the Export button to export SQL Table data.

Conclusion

Table level recovery in SQL Server can give you a hard time if you are unaware of its correct process. To save you from any issue regarding SQL table recovery, we have documented multiple ways to restore tables in SQL. If users are willing to avoid the hassle of performing the native techniques, they can take the help of Automated Solution. Since it is an efficient application, it will help users in recovering tables in SQL database.

Frequently Asked Questions