SQL Compare 11

Getting started with the add-in

SQL Compare includes a free add-in for SQL Server Management Studio that lets you compare and deploy databases (including versions from source control) from Management Studio.

The add-in is bundled with the SQL Compare installer, which you can download here. When you run the installer, make sure the SSMS Integration Pack check box is selected:

Comparing databases

To compare two databases from Management Studio:

  1. In the SQL Server Management Studio Object Explorer, right-click a database you want to compare, and click Compare schema to:

    The Schema and Data Compare tab is displayed, with the database you selected set as the source in the leftmost pane:

  2. In the rightmost pane, select the database you want to set as the target:

    To switch the source and target and databases, click .
    For more information on selecting databases to compare in SQL Compare, see: Setting data sources.

  3. Click Compare schema now.
    SQL Compare launches, displaying the comparison results.

Comparing a version from source control

The SQL Server Management Studio add-in enables you to compare and deploy versions of a database linked to SQL Source Control 1.1 or later.

To set a version from source control as a data source:

  1. In SQL Server Management Studio Object Explorer, right-click a database you want to compare, and click Compare schema to:

    The Schema and Data Compare tab is displayed, with the database you selected set as the source in the leftmost pane:

  2. In the upper pane, under Compare To, select Source Control:

  3. In the Repository box, select a database linked to SQL Source Control, or click <Browse source control...> to specify a repository URL.
  4. In the Version box, select a specific revision from the source control history, or select the latest revision:

  5. Click Compare Now.
    SQL Compare launches, displaying the comparison results.

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