Compare and synchronize backup files

Data Compare for SQL Server provides an option of comparing data between backup files or between databases and backup files. This feature can be useful if you want, for example, to retrieve data from a backup file and compare it with your database without restoring or copying the backup from a remote network.

Compatibility issues

Data Compare supports:

  • Native SQL Server backups

Note

If you want to set up a comparison using a backup, you should keep in mind that Data Compare for SQL Server does not support:

  • Tables that do not have a primary key, unique index, or unique constraint
  • Views
  • Computed columns, but you can compare persisted computed columns
  • String representations of CLR types (only binary representation is supported)
  • Custom comparison keys, but you can select an alternative unique index, or unique constraint
  • Row filtering using the SQL Filter Editor

With Data Compare, you can:

  • Compare a backup file with another backup file or with a database
  • Create a synchronization script from a backup
  • Update the database from which the backup was created
  • Recover individual rows from a backup

Note

Backup files cannot be modified directly. If you set a backup file as the Target, the Data Synchronization wizard creates a script to update the database from which the backup was created.

If you set a backup file as the Source, and a database is the Target, the database can be synchronized with the backup.

Backup

Differential backups

dbForge Data Compare can retrieve the data from full or differential backups. However, if you select a differential backup that is part of a series of differential backups, the tool will compare the changes made up to the moment of that particular backup. It will take into account the modifications made in previous backups but will not consider any changes made in subsequent backups.

Differential Backup

Want to Find out More?

Overview

Overview

Take a quick tour to learn all about the key benefits delivered by dbForge Data Compare for SQL Server.
All Features

All features

Get acquainted with the rich features and capabilities of the Data Compare in less than 5 minutes.
Request a demo

Request a demo

If you consider employing the Data Compare for your business, request a demo to see it in action.
Ready to start using dbForge Data Compare for SQL Server?