How to add a database in SQL Server Management Studio?

Question

I have been sent a database called StudentsDB.mdf and I want to enter it into my SQL Server Management Studio databases . How to do that ?

I want to know if I copy a .mdf file from the directory where are all my databases which is C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.SQLEXPRESS\MSSQL\DATA and sent it to another person will he be able to import this database in his SQL Server Management Studio and see the database?

Answer 1

Try this one

Step 1 Right-click “Databases” and click the “Attach” option to open the Attach Databases dialog box.

Step 2 Click the “Add” button to open the Locate Database Files dialog box.

Step 3 Type in the full name of the .MDF file, including the full device and directory path, as the following example illustrates: c:\StudentsDB.mdf Click the "OK" button. SQL Server Management Studio loads the database from the .MDF file.

OR

Step 1 Click “New Query” in the Management Studio’s main toolbar.

Step 2 Type a Create Database statement using the following Transact-SQL code:

CREATE DATABASE MyDatabase ON 
(FILENAME = 'c:\StudentsDB.mdf'), 
(FILENAME = ' c:\StudentsDB.ldf') FOR ATTACH;

Step 3 Click the “Execute” button in the Transact-SQL toolbar. SQL Server Management Studio restores the database.

OR

CREATE DATABASE StudentDB ON
(FILENAME = N'C:\StudentsDB.mdf')
FOR ATTACH_REBUILD_LOG
GO