Override file while backup database

Question

I want to back up a database using this code

sqlcmd -S servername -Q "BACKUP DATABASE [DBName] TO DISK = 'C:\backup.bak'"

It works. But if the backup file already exists, the data gets appended to the file instead of replacing the file. Every time I call BACKUP DATABASE the file gets bigger.

Is there an option for BACKUP DATABASE to force a replace?

score 82 · Accepted Answer · answered Dec 04 '12 at 18:54

82

sqlcmd -S servername -Q "BACKUP DATABASE [DBName] TO DISK = 'C:\backup.bak' WITH INIT"

answered Dec 04 '12 at 18:54

bummi

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score 30 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 04 '12 at 18:54

30

INIT does the trick. From MSDN:

INIT Specifies that all backup sets should be overwritten

answered Dec 04 '12 at 18:54

Serge Belov

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score 3 · Answer 3 · answered Dec 18 '21 at 22:29

3

WITH INIT is not enough. Should be WITH INIT, SKIP these days. Docs

Explanation: INIT overwrites only if some conditions are met. SKIP instructs to ignore those conditions.

answered Dec 18 '21 at 22:29

Alex from Jitbit

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score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Oct 05 '21 at 18:59

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BACKUP DATABASE SQ_P TO DISK='D:\Data Backup\SQ_P.bak' with init;

where SQ_P is the Database Name

answered Oct 05 '21 at 18:59

Faiz Rahmathulla

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Please edit your answer! This question no need for new answer and your answer isn't minimum of policy for answer question format. please read help center – Amirhossein Oct 05 '21 at 19:09

Override file while backup database

4 Answers4