Azure Data Studio officially retires on February 28, 2026. You should migrate to Visual Studio Code. This change aims to consolidate SQL development tools and provide a more robust and feature-rich environment for the developer community.
This article provides recommendations and resources to help you transition from Azure Data Studio to Visual Studio Code or alternative tools. During this period, all local files and Database Projects in Azure Data Studio remain available.
Why retire Azure Data Studio?
The desire to retire Azure Data Studio was to simplify and enhance the SQL development experience.
Key considerations
Visual Studio Code, a widely adopted platform with exceptional community support and an extensive ecosystem of extensions, allows us to deliver advanced features like cutting-edge schema management tools and enhanced developer experiences.
By consolidating efforts on Visual Studio Code, we can deliver advanced features and improved experiences more efficiently. This eliminates duplication, reduces maintenance costs, and accelerates feature delivery.
Key benefits of migrating to Visual Studio Code
Migrating to Visual Studio Code offers a modern, versatile, and developer-friendly platform that empowers developers with advanced tools, extensive community support, and seamless integration into today's development workflows.
Modern development environment
Visual Studio Code is one of the world's most widely used code editors, trusted by millions of developers.
Lightweight design and rich extension ecosystem.
Regular updates and active open-source community.
Built-in features designed to enhance productivity.
Comprehensive feature set
Enhanced query execution: Faster and more reliable query execution with detailed results and filtering options.
Modern schema management: Tools for visualizing, designing, and managing database schemas.
Integration with CI/CD: Support for automated database deployments and updates.
Improved user experience: Modernized query editor, intelligent suggestions, and error highlighting.
Cross-platform compatibility
Like Azure Data Studio, Visual Studio Code runs seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Provides a consistent development environment across platforms.
Streamlined workflows
CI/CD integration: Smooth migration from development to deployment.
Cloud-native development: Built-in support for Azure services.
Collaboration tools: Real-time collaboration with live share.
Extensive extension marketplace: Thousands of extensions for tailored workflows.
Migration plan
Azure Data Studio users have diverse needs, from connecting to Azure SQL databases, to using extensions for non-SQL Server-related capabilities.
Notă
For users primarily using Azure SQL, Azure SQL Database, or SQL server in Fabric, migrating to Visual Studio Code with the MSSQL extension is straightforward.
The extension provides comprehensive support for these scenarios, ensuring no loss of functionality.
Install Visual Studio Code and the MSSQL extension
Download and install Visual Studio Code from the official website.
Install the MSSQL extension from the Visual Studio Code marketplace.
Migrate Database Projects and queries:
Open SQL database projects directly in Visual Studio Code without migration steps.
Queries and scripts from Azure Data Studio are fully compatible with Visual Studio Code.
Explore additional features in Visual Studio Code:
Use advanced schema management tools.
Use DevOps workflows, including CI/CD integration.
Recommended alternatives for SQL Server capabilities in Azure Data Studio
Visual Studio SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT). In development for MSSQL extension for VS Code.
Flat-file import
Import .txt and .csv files into databases.
Bulk insert / PowerShell. In development for MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code.
DACPAC import/export
Deploy and extract DACPAC files.
SqlPackage / MSSQL extension for Visual Studio Code.
Azure SQL migration
Migrate SQL Server to Azure SQL.
Azure portal (future updates planned).
Notebooks
SQL + Markdown interactive documents.
Polyglot Notebooks in Visual Studio Code.
SQL Database Projects
Create, manage, and deploy SQL database projects.
Fully supported in the MSSQL extension for VS Code and Visual Studio.
Alternative Azure Data Studio capabilities
For users who relied on Azure Data Studio for non-SQL Server-related tasks (for example, PostgreSQL, MySQL, or Azure Cosmos DB), suitable Visual Studio Code alternatives are available.
Migration steps
Install the relevant Visual Studio Code extensions from the Marketplace.
Here are answers to questions about the Azure Data Studio deprecation and migration to Visual Studio Code.
What happens to Azure Data Studio after February 28, 2026?
After February 28, 2026, Azure Data Studio will no longer be supported. This means that it stops receiving any updates, security patches, or maintenance after that date. You should migrate to an alternative solution before February 28, 2026, to ensure continued support and security.
What happens to existing database projects in Azure Data Studio?
Projects can be opened in Visual Studio Code without migration.
Is there a deadline for migrating?
Azure Data Studio will be retired on February 6, 2025, with support until February 28, 2026.
Can my queries and scripts work in Visual Studio Code?
Yes, they're fully compatible.
What about extensions not yet available in Visual Studio Code?
Refer to the Migration Plan for alternatives.
Are there plans for missing features like SQL Server Agent?
Administrați o infrastructură de bază de date SQL Server pentru baze de date în cloud, locale și relaționale hibride utilizând ofertele de baze de date relaționale Microsoft PaaS.
Download and install Azure Data Studio for Windows, macOS, or Linux. This article provides release dates, version numbers, system requirements, and download links.
In this video, Erin shares new functionality within Object Explorer for Azure Data Studio and talks about the benefit of trying out the Insider build. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 01:27 - Group by Schema 04:03 - Filter Objects 05:26 - Right Click, Create 06:18 - Greatest and Latest Recommended resources Azure Data Studio is an open-source project available on GitHub Download Insider build on GitHub Related episodes View all episodes on Microsoft Learn and add Open at Microsoft to a collection New epis