SQL Server Copying tables from one database to another

Question

I have two databases, one is called Natalie_playground and one is called LiveDB. Since I want to practice insert, update things, I want to copy some of the tables from the LiveDB to Natalie_playground.

The tables I want to copy are called: Customers, Computers, Cellphones, Prices

What I tried to do is that (using SSMS) right click on a table but there is no Copy in there!

Answer 1

Assuming that you have two databases, for example A and B:

• If target table not exists, the following script will create (I do not recommend this way):

  SELECT table_A.FIELD_1, table_A.FIELD_2,......, table_A.FIELD_N 
  INTO COPY_TABLE_HERE 
  FROM  A.dbo.table_from_A table_A
  

• If target table exists, then:

   INSERT INTO TABLE_TARGET 
   SELECT table_A.FIELD_1, table_A.FIELD_2,......, table_A.FIELD_N 
   FROM  A.dbo.table_from_A table_A
  

Note: if you want learn and practice this, you can use previous scripts, but if you want copy the complete structure and data from database to another, you should use, "Backup and restore Database" or, "Generate Script Database with data" and run this into another database.

Answer 2

Right click on your database -> under Tasks choose Generate scripts, follow the wizard, choose your tables and check the check box that says 'script table data' (or similar) generate it to an SQL script and execute it on your other DB.

Answer 3

You can also try SQL Server Import/Export wizard. If target tables do not exist already they will be created when you run the wizard.

Check out MSDN for more details http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms141209.aspx