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Create a bacpac export

This article describes how to create an export of a database for use in another location.

In a local SQL server install, you have the option to create a backup file (BAK) that can be shared or used to restore the database. In Azure SQL, this is not possible. Instead, you have the option to create a data-tier export called a BACPAC file.

There are many benefits to this compared to a backup, as it takes way less space.

  1. To do that locate the database, right-click on it and click on Export Data-tier Application.

Create a bacpac export — screenshot 1

  1. Then you click Next. Notice that it mentions creating a bacpac file.

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  1. Then click on Save to local disk to, click on Browse to locate where to store the file.

Create a bacpac export — screenshot 3

  1. Alternatively you can also chose Save to Microsoft Azure. You state a StorageAccount and a Container and it will store it there.
  2. If you click on Advanced you have the option to choose which tables to export.

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  1. Then you click Finish to go through it and generate the file.

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  1. After the operation is complete, you will see the result of of the exports.

Create a bacpac export — screenshot 6

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