DB Convert is a multi-database migration tool, which can convert the most popular formats for MS SQL Server & MySQL. It not only supports the basic functionality of converting tables and data from one format to another but also provides additional options such as dropping or truncating destination tables before conversion, renaming columns in the process, using different delimiters during data transfer. Another one of its strong points is compatibility with source databases from MS Access 97/2000/XP/2003 and IBM DB2 UDB V6 – 2008 R1 (or higher).
In this article, we will see how to use this tool to Recover Database
The process might be useful when you need to move your database from an older MS Access version to MS SQL Server or MySQL. You don’t need to install anything on your client; the DB Convert is a stand-alone program. So it can be freely distributed among users’ computers.
To run the tool you will need a .msi installer file that can be downloaded from our website or created using the setup wizard available in the installation folder after installation of DB Convert.
Now let’s assume we have two files: Database_Source.accdb and Database_Target.mdf (they must reside in the same directory because DB Convert doesn’t allow to set different paths for source and destination). We choose MS SQL Server as our target database engine and start running the tool:
The first dialog is about the provider for destination data. We choose Microsoft SQL Server, and then we can immediately see the Connection dialog:
Now you need to provide server and Instance (default is default instance). The current user must have appropriate permissions in order to connect with the remote data source. This setting might vary depending on different configurations; it’s best if you check your server documentation for details.
We move forward by pressing the Test Connection button which verifies whether DB Convert is able to connect with a selected data source. If this operation succeeds, press the Next -> button otherwise contact your system administrator or try again after providing valid login information.
In the next step of the conversion wizard, we have an option to create a new database or use an existing one provided that it’s a new or empty database. If the target database exists and has some data, this data will be lost during conversion because DB Convert doesn’t allow converting non-empty databases with existing tables.
In our example, we will create a new Database Target so after choosing the Next -> button we see the wizard window:
We provide a name for our new database and press the Next -> button. In case of using an existing Database Target, you have to choose either Drop Destination Table(s) before Conversion or Preserve Destination Table(s). The first option is selected by default and means that all source tables will be dropped from a target database before data transfer begins. Only after that destination tables will be created based on the source table schemas.
The second option preservers existing tables and is quite useful in case you want to replace just some of your source tables with the target ones and leave the others untouched for future use after conversion.
After we press next -> we can see Connection Settings which are similar to those we saw earlier regarding the server, instance, and authentication:
Now we’re ready to start our first test conversion so let’s press the Convert button:
Here is a preview of what will be converted by DB Convert before starting the data transfer process:
- This window is very useful because it not only shows how many rows will be transferred but also provides information about all columns used in source and destination tables. If any of them fails to map or causes problems you can press the Details button and see a “Mapping Report” window with detailed information of all columns used during the conversion process.
- You also have the option to change some settings before data transfer begins. If for example, you want to specify a new location for your target database file, this is the right place to do it by pressing the Folder Settings button:
- Now let’s start our first test conversion by pressing Convert again. This time DB Convert will not ask for any additional settings because everything has already been set in advance:
- At this point, you might be asked about the locking mechanism if your source tables are locked. You can choose between No locking (recommended) and Table locking which means that all data modifications in source tables will be disabled during the conversion process.
- When you press Finish for the second time, DB Convert starts the data transfer process and changes schema in a target database:
- After this short test run, we can go through all steps of our wizard again just to see what other options are available.
Conclusion
DB Convert is a nice free program for data conversion from one database to another. It provides an easy-to-use wizard interface and includes some helpful tools which make this process even more comfortable. In addition, it supports all major databases on the market including MySQL, Postgre SQL, SQLite, Oracle and Microsoft Access.
Masab Farooque is a Tech Geek, Writer, and Founder at The Panther Tech. He is also a lead game developer at 10StaticStudios.
When he is not writing, he is mostly playing video games