How to run SQL scripts from the command line

Last modified: March 28, 2025

You can automate executing the scripts using the command line.

Note

The command-line interface is available only in certain editions of dbForge Studio for SQL Server. For detailed information on the features availability in the dbForge Studio editions, please refer to the Editions page.

Click Start.
Type cmd in the Search programs and files text box and press the ENTER button.
Note
To run the Command Line in Windows 10:

From the Desktop Mode

Move the mouse cursor to the exact lower left corner until the desktop shortcuts menu appears.

Right-click to see the shortcut menu and than click Run.

From the Charms Bar

Move your mouse to the upper right corner until the Charms Bar appears.

Select Apps from the list and type ‘run’ in the search box.

Click Run from the search results.

Use Windows + R Shortcut Keys

In desktop mode, press the Windows + R keys, to show the Run command line.

In the window that opens, type cmd and press Enter.
Type a path to the dbforgesql.com file located in the dbForge Studio for SQL Server installation folder on your PC, and then press the SPACE key.

C:\Users\JordanSanders>"C:\Program Files\Devart\dbForge Studio for SQL Server\dbforgesql.com"

Note
The path to the executable file will differ depending on how you have installed the Studio - as a standalone tool or as part of the dbForge Edge bundle. Make sure that you have specified a correct path. If you have installed the Studio as part of dbForge Edge, change the path accordingly:
cd "C:\Program Files\Devart\dbForge Edge\dbForge Studio for SQL Server"

4. To execute the corresponding script, use the /execute command, and press the SPACE key.

dbforgesql.com /execute /?

5. Specify connection details of the server where to execute the script.

dbforgesql.com /execute /connection:"Data Source=DBMSSQL\MSSQL2012;Integrated Security=False;User ID=yourusername"

6. Specify the script file.

dbforgesql.com /execute  /connection:"Data Source=DBMSSQL\MSSQL2012;Integrated Security=False;User ID=yourusername" /inputfile:"script.sql"

7. Specify the password.

dbforgesql.com /execute /connection:"Data Source=DBMSSQL\MSSQL2012;Integrated Security=False;User ID=yourusername" /inputfile:"script.sql"  /Password:yourpassword

8. To hide the command line window, use the /quiet command. (Useful for batch files).

dbforgesql.com /execute /connection:"Data Source=DBMSSQL\MSSQL2012;Integrated Security=False;User ID=yourusername" /inputfile:"script.sql" /Password:yourpassword /quiet

9. Press ENTER to run the process.

If you use the /argfile argument, all the following commands are specified inside an argfile:

/execute
/connection:"Data Source=DBMSSQL\MSSQL2012;Integrated Security=False;User ID=yourusername"
/inputfile:"script.sql"

In this case, the command line string will be written as follows:

dbforgesql.com /argfile:myarg.txt

Arguments Used in Command Line

Select corresponding command line switches to perform the required operations:

Argument	Action and Usage
`/connection`	This switch is used to specify a connection string. Command usage looks like:`/connection:<connection_string>`
`/database`	This switch is used to specify a database to execute the script to. Databases specified in the script before will be ignored. It does not affect the objects specified with fully qualified names.
`/inputfile`	This switch is used to specify an SQL or ZIP file with the script to execute.
`/password`	This switch is used to specify a server password. It overrides the password specified in the connection string. Command line usage looks like: `/password:<yourpassword>`
`/encoding`	This switch is used to specify the encoding which should be applied to open and execute the script. Command line usage looks like:`/encoding:<encoding>`