Access to SQL using SQL Server Migration Assistant

Malcolm P Galvin Jr 61 Reputation points
2021-08-19T11:56:41+00:00

The SQL Server Migration Assistant for Access website states:

Microsoft SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for Access is a tool for migrating databases from Microsoft Access versions 97 through 2010 to SQL Server 2012, Microsoft SQL Server 2014, Microsoft SQL Server 2016, MicrosoftSQL Server 2017 on Windows and Linux, MicrosoftSQL Server 2019 on Windows and Linux, or Microsoft Azure SQL Database.

I began writing an Access application in 2000 and updated it through 2010, using the newest versions of Access at the time. I now run the application on my current Access 2019. All my Access files are .mdb files.

I have downloaded Microsoft SQL Server 2019 Express edition.

Based on the above, should I be able to use SSMA for the migration?

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  1. Olaf Helper 40,736 Reputation points
    2021-08-19T12:37:26.037+00:00

    Sure it should work.
    SSMA for Access works with every Edition of SQL Server, also with the free Express Edition.

    There are some limitation, e.g. in MS Access SQL queries you can use VBA functions, in SQL Server it's not possible, so if you have used VBA, you have to rewrite the queries manually.


  2. CathyJi-MSFT 21,086 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    2021-08-20T02:26:58.08+00:00

    Hi @Malcolm P Galvin Jr ,

    Sure, you can use SSMA for the migration.

    Quote from Microsoft SQL Server Migration Assistant for Access download link

    >SSMA for Access is designed to support migration from Microsoft Access 97 and higher to all editions of SQL Server 2012 through SQL Server 2019, Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Database Managed Instance.

    Suggest you reading MS document SQL Server Migration Assistant for Access (AccessToSQL) to get more information about the migration.


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