How do I open a SQL CE4 .sdf database file?

Question

I installed Microsoft WebMatrix, which, I believe comes with SQL Server CE4. I've tried opening the SDF file in SQL Management Studio (SQL 2008), but I get the following error message:

-------- Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio: There is no editor available for 'C:\efTest\App_Data\SchoolRepository.sdf'.

Make sure the application for the file type (.sdf) is installed.

How do I view/modify my .sdf database?

I see there is a similar question on StackOverflow (http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4070860/sql-compact-4-0-cant-open-read-sdf-file) but I would really like to use Management Studio if I can, and not another 3rd party tool.

LINQPad works well (http://www.linqpad.net/). It can connect to 3.5 and 4.0 SQL CE files. — blins, Jul 13 '12 at 02:03
@blins: I think this should be an answer. It works very well. — Peter Majeed, Apr 18 '13 at 13:52

score 19 · Answer 1 · edited May 17 '13 at 11:51

19

Have you tried the SQL Server Compact Toolbox?

or the SQL Compact Query Analyzer?

edited May 17 '13 at 11:51

Prahalad Gaggar

11,389
16
53
71

answered Apr 08 '11 at 06:11

Christian Resma Helle

696
4
10

I was not able to use SQL Server Compact Toolbox at all, waited for 5 mins and gave up. But SQL Compact Query Analyzer is really snappy. 3 MB download, requires an install but really snappy and works – user_v Jan 23 '12 at 09:29
1

I published a new drop of SQL Compact Query Analyzer a few days ago :) – Christian Resma Helle Feb 02 '12 at 10:03

blins · Answer 2 · 2013-08-20T12:17:36.877

4

Here are a couple which have worked quite well for me in terms of connecting to SQL CE 3.5 and 4.0 databases:

LINQPad - (See my remark to question) It works quite well plus it allows for specifying LINQ or SQL for queries.

CompactView - Seems pretty full featured + install creates a nice Windows file association so one can simply double-click to open/connect to .sdf files for instance.

edited Aug 20 '13 at 12:17

answered Apr 18 '13 at 15:28

blins

2,515
21
32

score 4 · Accepted Answer · edited May 17 '13 at 11:50

4

You can download sql ce through web api just follow this link

visual-studio-tools-for-sql-serverl

to do that.

edited May 17 '13 at 11:50

Prahalad Gaggar

11,389
16
53
71

answered Apr 08 '11 at 06:11

Crimsonland

2,194
3
24
42

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Apr 22 '16 at 09:20

0

All of the other options require SQL CE 4.0 Database Provider installed on your machine.

This one doesn't need provider http://sqlcequery.codeplex.com/

answered Apr 22 '16 at 09:20

friend

1,909
2
21
28

score 0 · Answer 5 · answered Dec 04 '18 at 00:53

If you are using Visual Studio 2015, 2013, 2012, 2010, try SqlCeToolbox.4.5.0.3.vsix. It is SQL Server Compact/SQLite Toolbox for Visual Studio.

The link: http://www.sokhawin.com/how-to-open-sql-compact-edition-file-sdf-in-visual-studio-or-linqpad/

It has ability to open and edit.

How do I open a SQL CE4 .sdf database file?

5 Answers5