How to Recover Data After DELETE Command SQL Server?

Accidental deletion can occur in any application and create a huge nuisance. The same can occur in a SQL Server database too. Therefore, we came up with this write-up. In addition, this blog will discuss how to recover data after DELETE command SQL Server versions 2025, 2022, 2019, 2017, 2016, and older versions as well.

As we know, the Transaction log of SQL Server databases comprises a number of LSN numbers for each transaction made on the respective databases. This LSN information can be utilized to recover deleted records in SQL Server with UNDO DELETE SQL or other ways.

What we have done here is that we created a test database with some tables in it and tried to learn how to rollback deleted data in SQL using the LSN under which the delete statement was run.

Situations Where Users Must Know How to Rollback Deleted Data in SQL

There are various situations where the data is deleted unintentionally or due to any other issue. In these situations, a user must know how to rollback delete query in SQL to ensure no data is lost during the action. We will now see some of these situations to understand the SQL UNDO DELETE situations better. 

• The first cause is the Accidental Deletion of the data in the SQL Server database. This can occur due to the wrong selection of records for deletion, and further requires to recover data after DELETE Command SQL Server. 
• Another reason for the data recovery after the DELETE command is when users implement or run incorrect queries or logic to delete or truncate specific data. This can result in loss of sensitive data and needs to be recovered in a timely. 
• When a user runs the DELETE command in SQL Server without taking any backups, this might result in complex or impossible recovery of the records within the database. 
• One reason for the deletion of data is Human Error. This reason might be quite common for the deletion of records in SQL Server database. Selecting the wrong records during deletion or running an incorrect query is part of this, further requiring steps for SQL Server undo DELETE. 

For these reasons, it becomes necessary for users to know the best ways to how to rollback deleted data in SQL. Here are the methods that will help users to efficiently resolve issues during the process and get precise results for how to rollback DELETE query in SQL.

Recover Data After DELETE Command SQL Server Effectively

Let’s have a look at the three phases of this operation to get back all of the data gone with the DELETE command. 

Phase 1: Steps to Create A Test Database

Step 1: Here, we have created a test database named “ExperimentDB” with Table name “Company” having three columns. The deletion will be performed on this database table using DELETE statement. You can execute or run the T-SQL code written below in order to create the database and table.

Step 2: Here we will insert some rows (25) using the below-mentioned command to know how to rollback DELETE in SQL.

Step 3: After the successful completion of the SQL UNDO DELETE task, rows are updated successfully.

Phase 2: Steps to Delete Rows for this SQL UNDO Last Command Task

Step 1: Now we will delete some rows that we created earlier and recover them later using LSNs available in the Transaction log to proceed with how to rollback deleted data in SQL. We will delete the first 9 entries in the row.

The results will show that the first 9 (less than 10) entries have been deleted.

Phase 3: How to Recover Data After DELETE Query in SQL Server

Once the rows are deleted, we need to search the SQL Server Transaction Log to fetch the information about deleted rows. The code mentioned below will help you to get all the information about deleted transactions & undo a DELETE. This includes the solution for how to rollback deleted data in SQL.

The results expanded will be shown as below with Current LSN, AllocUnitName, Context, Operation, and most important Transaction ID.

The data to be recovered belongs to the Company table, and hence we will focus on the AllocUnitName as dbo.Company. Also, the transaction ID can be easily identified to rollback deleted records in SQL, which is here;

Transaction ID: 0000:0000021f

The 9 rows have been deleted under the same transaction ID, which indicates that the deletion has been made in batch for multiple items in one go. Carefully note this transaction ID, as it is going to SQL undo DELETE.

Step 1: The Transaction ID will be used here in the below-mentioned operation “LOP_BEGIN_XACT” to extract the LSN number allied to the DELETE transaction.

Step 2: The LSN will be extracted using the above-mentioned code. Here LSN is: 00000013:0000010b:0001. This is in Hexadecimal format which has to be converted to decimal in order to proceed with how to rollback DELETE in SQL.

Step 3: The STOPBEFOREMARK operation will be used in order to get back the data where the hexadecimal value will not work. Hence, this value needs to be converted to the decimal value before SQL Server undo DELETE.

Follow the simple steps mentioned below to perform this conversion:

1. LSN 00000013:0000010b:0001 can be divided into three parts: 1^st – (00000013), 2^nd– (0000010b), and 3^rd – (0001).
2. Also, one can use an online method to convert Hexadecimal to decimal, or one can also perform the conversion manually.
3. Here, 1st – (00000013) is 19, 2nd – (0000010b) is 267, and 3rd – (0001) is 1.
4. The conversion will be performed as 1^st without leading zeros, 2^nd as a 10-digit decimal number adding zeros, and 3^rd to 5 digit number with zeros.
5. In this way, the hexadecimal LSN will be converted to – 19000000026700001
6. Now run a transactional log backup on the database where DELETE has been performed. Then we will help users learn how to rollback deleted data in SQL & restore the database to another DB (here EmployeeDBCopy) till the mentioned LSN; then the data restored can be moved to the production database using the below-mentioned command with STOPBEFOREMARK = ‘lsn: 19000000026700001’

Restoring Full Backup with NORECOVERY

RESTORE DATABASE ExperimentDBCopy
FROM DISK = 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Backup\ExperimentDB.bak'
WITH
MOVE 'ExperimentDB' TO 'C:\ExperimentDB.mdf',
MOVE 'ExperimentDB_log' TO 'C:\ExperimentDB_log.ldf',
REPLACE, NORECOVERY;
GO

Restore Log Backup with STOPBEFOREMARK Option to Restore Exact LSN

RESTORE LOG ExperimentDBCopy
FROMDISK = N'\C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL
Server\MSSQL10_50.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Backup\ExperimentDB.trn'
WITH
STOPBEFOREMARK = 'lsn:19000000026700001'

Restored data can be viewed using the following command. You will be able to see the deleted rows again.

Disadvantages of Manual Solutions

There are several limitations in the manual solution for SQL undo DELETE that are going to be a challenge for users to counter. Let’s understand these drawbacks & then proceed towards an ideal & expert-recommended solution:

• Time-Consuming – The manual solution is quite lengthy as it involves a series of queries. It makes the procedure quite time-consuming & spoils the entire user experience.
• Risk of Data Loss – Data loss risk is always there in manual solutions for how to rollback DELETE query in SQL. In addition, there is no surety of getting the perfect results.
• Reduce Efficiency – This method is inefficient as it wastes resources. Also, users need to compromise their like time and efforts as well that can be invested somewhere else.
• Complex Method – This solution is quite complex & difficult for new users to understand. Proficient technical knowledge is required to step in the manual solution.

Recover Data After DELETE Command SQL Server Instantly

This tool can easily fix damaged database objects like Tables, Functions, Stored Procedures, Rules, and triggers from MDF & NDF files. Besides this, it can restore deleted records from the table without any failure. Moreover, the utility recover data after DELETE Command in SQL Server 2025/ 2022/ 2019/ 2017 / 2016 / 2014 / 2012 / 2008 / 2008 R2 / 2005 /2000.

Quick Video Tutorial to Learn Tool & Execute  SQL Undo DELETE Operation

Here is a video walkthrough of how the tool can help users with recovery of SQL database data deleted by accident.

Step 1. Install and run the software on your system to begin.

Step 2. Now, just click on the Open button to Browse & Add MDF data files to continue how to rollback deleted data in SQL deleted by accident.

Step 3. Select the Scan Mode from the available options: Quick or Advance Scan mode for the SQL UNDO DELETE process.

Step 4. Enter the Destination SQL Server Database to get the desired results.

Step 5. At last, Click on the Export button to recover data after DELETE command SQL Server DB.

Additional Considerations to Recover Deleted Records in SQL Server

After discussing all the crucial aspects, it’s time we proceed to some key tips. This can help users to get the best results for learning SQL undo DELETE Server after DELETE command with minimal effort & almost zero errors.

• Significance of Backup: Users often forget to take a backup of the database, which is why, in case of a failure, they lose data. Therefore, having a data backup is crucial in such cases.
• Alternative Methods: Not all users are proficient in SQL technicalities. Therefore, it’s necessary to focus on alternative solutions so that we have multiple options available to get the solution.
• Focus on Data Safety: Data safety should also be one of the priorities for the users to keep the data integrity intact. Instead of saving money, the focus should be on data safety. 
• Limitations for Manual Recovery: Manual solutions do not always work, and users can get confused for sure. Therefore, users should not rely on manual methods entirely. 

Preventive Measures to Secure Data From Unintentional DELETE Command

These are a few prevention steps that will not only help users keep their data and records safe in the database, but also prevent any risk of data loss due to the DELETE command.

• The first prevention tip for users and database administrators is to implement RBAC for enhanced database security. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) ensures that access to the database is given only to trusted roles and users. 
• Next, users can secure their data by keeping frequent backup of the SQL Database. This will help users to recover data after DELETE Command SQL Server easily after any human error. 
• Regular monitoring of the database will help the users to track any unauthorized operations in the database. With the right monitoring methods, users can track all the deletion operations in SQL Server and inspect any suspicious activities in the database. 

Following all these measures will allow the users to get a clear idea of the activities in the database. Hence, it is required for the users to consider the best methods to resolve how to rollback deleted data in SQL.

Conclusion

Finally, accidental deletion of data is one of the worst cases any DBA or user faces. Therefore, we have covered the step-by-step process on how to recover data after DELETE command SQL Server manually. Also, the advanced solution to rollback deleted records in SQL is also mentioned here.

Make sure to put the database in Full Recovery Mode while performing manual steps. Users looking for an instant solution to recover deleted records in SQL Server have also been addressed here.

Frequently Asked Questions