SQL Data Compare 8

Help for older versions available.

These pages cover SQL Data Compare 8, which is not the latest version. Help for other versions is also available.

Using the SQL Server Management Studio add-in

SQL Data Compare includes a free add-in for SQL Server Management Studio that enables you to compare and synchronize (deploy) data from within SQL Server Management Studio.

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

Comparing data

To compare two databases from SQL Server Management Studio:

  1. In the SQL Server Management Studio Object Explorer, right-click the database you want to use as the source, and under Data Compare/Deploy, click Set as Source:

    The Data Compare/Deploy tab is displayed, with the database you selected set as the source:
  2. Drag the database you want to use as the target from the Object Explorer to the Target pane.
  3. Click Compare/Deploy with SQL Data Compare.
    SQL Data Compare launches a creates a new project using the databases you selected.
  4. On the SQL Data Compare Project Configuration dialog box, click Compare Now.

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