SQL Server: Importing database from .mdf?

Question

I have an .mdf file on my local box.

I have SQL Server 2008 Express and SQL Management Studio 2008 Express installed on my local box.

How in the world do I import this .mdf file as a new database into my SQL Server?

This seems like a ridiculously common task that must be performed thousands of times a day across the globe, and I cannot figure out how to do it in Management Studio Express.

What am I missing?

Answer 1

Open SQL Management Studio Express and log in to the server to which you want to attach the database. In the 'Object Explorer' window, right-click on the 'Databases' folder and select 'Attach...' The 'Attach Databases' window will open; inside that window click 'Add...' and then navigate to your .MDF file and click 'OK'. Click 'OK' once more to finish attaching the database and you are done. The database should be available for use. best regards :)

Answer 2

See: How to: Attach a Database File to SQL Server Express

Login to the database via sqlcmd:

sqlcmd -S Server\Instance 

And then issue the commands:

USE [master] GO CREATE DATABASE [database_name] ON  ( FILENAME = N'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Data\<database name>.mdf' ), ( FILENAME = N'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL11.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Data\<database name>.ldf' )  FOR ATTACH ; GO