Import Databases

Importing databases into SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT) is simplicity itself and only takes seconds. However, sorting out the links to other databases and bad code thereafter can be difficult.

First, create a new Visual Studio SQL Server Project as shown below:

Then select Import Database

Using the dialog, enter server on which the database resides, select the database and click Import.

As you will see from the next dialog, the import is very, very comprehensive and covers every object type that can possibly be in a SQL Server database. The import is also very fast, taking seconds to import every object in the database, even for large databases!

Once completed, in the Visual Studio Solution Explorer you will see a folder for every schema found in the source database. Below each folder will be an optional number of folders called Tables, Views, Stored Procedures etc.