Compare databases on unconnected SQL Server instances

Last modified: August 28, 2024

If you need to compare databases on unconnected SQL Server instances, you can do it by creating either a snapshot or scripts folder from the required databases.

To compare databases on unconnected SQL servers using a snapshot:

1. Create a snapshot of a database\databases you want to compare.

For more information, refer to Compare and synchronize snapshots.

2. In the New Schema Comparison Wizard:

• create a project that compares the snapshot with a database.

-or-

• create a project that compares the snapshot with another snapshot, or with a scripts folder.

3. Configure and then run the comparison on the project.

4. Configure synchronization options and run the synchronization.

Note

• When a snapshot is selected as a target, you can select to overwrite it after synchronization.

• When a snapshot is selected as a source, and a database as a target, the synchronization script can be executed directly against the target database.

To compare databases on unconnected SQL servers using a scripts folder:

1. Create a scripts folder from a database\databases you want to compare.

For more information, refer to Compare and synchronize scripts folders.

2. In the New Schema Comparison Wizard:

• create a project that compares the scripts folder with a database.

-or-

• create a project that compares the scripts folder with another scripts folder.

3. Configure and then run the comparison on the project.

4. Configure synchronization options and run the synchronization.

Note

• When comparing and synchronizing scripts folders either as a target or a source, a synchronization script is created. It can be saved to a file or opened in an internal browser.
• When a scripts folder is selected as a source, you can select to execute the synchronization script directly target database.
• When a scripts folder is selected as a target, you can select to update the scripts folder after synchronization.