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I have an Azure Database backed up as a .bacpac file.

However, my new hosting platform does not allow .bacpac imports. (only .bak)

I was wondering if it were possible to backup to a .bak file, using SSMS.

If not, is it possible to convert a .bacpac to a .bak?

I'm going to add 1 more thing to this...

After research, I understand this is possible with SQL Server. (not SSMS)

Does anyone know if it's possible to do a .bak backup with SQL Server 2014 Express?

Penjimon
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  • Possible duplicate of [How to create BAK file from azure sql db](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/43447391/how-to-create-bak-file-from-azure-sql-db) – Piotr Palka May 20 '19 at 23:55
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    Possible duplicate of [How to create BAK file from azure sql db](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/43447391/how-to-create-bak-file-from-azure-sql-db) – Sajeetharan May 21 '19 at 00:17

2 Answers2

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Ok, so after some research... Here is the solution that worked for me:

First, download SQL Server 2014 Express, from Microsoft (Or whatever version/instance you prefer)

Microsoft SQL Server 2014 Express

Next, set it up correctly by watching this very helpful YouTube Video:

YouTube SQL Server 2014 Express Setup Video

Note: You will also need a version of SSMS, which you can also do/figure out by watching the YouTube video.

Then, on your Azure account (or wherever your Database is that doesn't allow you to create a .BAK file is, do the following)

Connect to it and navigate to Tasks > Export Data-tier Application.

Save that to your computer. (That will give you a .bacpac file.)

Next, connect to your "local" SQL Server instance.

Then, Import data-tier Application. (Will need the .bacpac file)

Lastly, (after fully imported) you will now have the option to do Tasks > Back Up

This will allow you to save a local file as a .BAK file!

Then, just upload this file to your new hosting platform.

This worked like a charm for me. :-)

Hope this helps someone else.

Penjimon
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  • Thanks for this solution, but what if you want to update the data from Azure to on-prem on a regular basis? Or does Azure do this automatically now because the onprem restore is connected to Azure? – Fandango68 Mar 17 '21 at 05:26
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.bacpac contains less information than .bak file, for example no transaction logs. Best approach would be to restore backpac on some other server and then create backup.

Piotr Palka
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