How to Export SQL Files to XML?

Summary: SQL Server allows data to be stored in XML (Extensible Markup Language) Format. XML is written in plain text and is easily understood by humans and machines. It is a simple and flexible language. Due to this reason, many users want to export queries from SQL to XML. Are you trying too? Then this blog is for you. It provides different methods and an SQL Recovery Tool for quickly saving your SQL database as an XML file. Download Now   Purchase Now

Reasons to Export Data from SQL Server to XML

These are as follows:

• XML files are easy to create, read, and extend even during the bulk operations.
• It clearly describes the data type, elements, and mapping between columns.
• Moreover, it allows loading fields containing a single large object data type.
• Also, users can use the same syntax for bulk import and export.

How to Convert SQL to XML?

There are two ways to convert SQL to XML: Manual Method and Professional Tool. Both ways have their procedures discussed in detail below.

Method 1: Manually Migrate SQL to XML Files

To do so, we will use SQL Server Management Studio and this process involves two stages.

#1. Export SQL data to Excel Formats (XLS, CSV) or HTML

Follow the steps given below:

1. Open the SQL Server Management Studio on your system and connect the database.
2. Go to the Object Explorer pane and find a database to export. Right-click to select Tasks and choose Export Data.
   
3. The SQL Server Import and Export Wizard dialog box appears. Select the Data Source and input the Server Name.
4. Further, choose the Authentication type, select the database from which contents are to be copied, and click Next.
   
5. Now, in the Choose a Destination window, select Flat File Destination in the destination column.
6. Subsequently, enter the name of the CSV file in the File Name box to import the chosen data. Click Next.
7. Furthermore, in the Specify Table Copy or Query window, choose either of the two options:
   • Copy the data from one or more tables or views
   • Input a query to specify the data to transfer, and click Next.
8. The Configure Flat File Destination window opens. Select the table for export, set default row and column settings, and preview the data. Click Next.
   
9. The Save and Run Package Window pops up. Click Next. Then, click the Finish button in the Complete the Wizard window after verifying all settings.
10. Finally, click Report > Save Report to File and choose your desired format.

#2. Export the Converted SQL File to XML

To do so, we can use the FOR XML Query. It has four different modes such as- RAW, AUTO, EXPLICIT, and PATH. To export the converted SQL to XML, run the query:

USE [Name of the Database]
GO
SELECT [information to export]
INNER JOIN [Table Name] [information]
On [limits]
For XML [Mode];

Method 2: Automated Tool to Recover Data from SQL to XML

The Aryson SQL Recovery Tool is a standard software for repairing damaged SQL databases and restoring them. This allows storing SQL files in CSV format to avoid losses. It has many advanced features, like:

• It is compatible with all Windows systems and SQL Servers.
• Additionally, it allows the recovery of deleted SQL tables in file formats.
• Also, it restores the ASCII and UNICODE XML data types database.

Steps to Recover SQL Files

1. Download and install the tool on your system. Run it as an administrator.
2. Click Open, browse and select the MDF file you want to recover, and hit Open.
3. Further, choose the recovery mode and other options. Click OK.
4. Now, expand the tree structure of your MDF file to preview data.
5. After that, click the Save SQL data tab from the taskbar and choose the saving mode. In addition, input details as required.
   
6. Lastly, click the OK button to complete the process.

Conclusion

To sum up, converting SQL to XML is beneficial for multiple reasons. Moreover, the FOR XML query can be used both in top-level and sub-queries. There are different methods to migrate your SQL files. However, the manual method is tedious and complex. Instead, you can go for the professional tool to quickly and effectively restore your SQL files.

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