What is a BACPAC file?
A .BACPAC file is a Compressed Microsoft SQL Database package used by Microsoft. It contains both the database schema and the data stored within the tables. Administrators use these files to export a database from one server and import it into another. Under the surface, a .BACPAC file uses standard ZIP compression to store XML configuration files and BCP data files.
How to open BACPAC files
You can open and import a .BACPAC file using Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). Other tools like Azure Data Studio or the command-line `SqlPackage` utility also handle these files. Because the file uses ZIP compression, you can rename the extension from .BACPAC to .ZIP and extract the contents using archive software like 7-Zip.
Best practices and troubleshooting
When you import a .BACPAC file, ensure your target SQL server version supports the features used in the source database. If an import fails, inspecting the internal model.xml file can help you find version conflicts. Always verify the integrity of the file before you start a large database migration.
Software and tools
- Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio
- Azure Data Studio
- `SqlPackage.exe` command-line tool
- 7-Zip
Summary
viewer.online/bacpac analyzes .BACPAC files to identify their exact format and creator software, shows which programs can open the file, and usually previews it. Because .BACPAC files use the known ZIP format, viewer.online/bacpac can safely open and display them online, eliminating compatibility problems.