Are you looking to transfer your MySQL database to SQL Server? Whether you’re expanding your operations or consolidating your database platforms, this guide will walk you through three proven methods to connect and move data between MySQL and SQL Server.
Why Connect MySQL to SQL Server?
Connecting MySQL to SQL Server offers several benefits:
- Data Consolidation: Merge data from existing MySQL systems into SQL Server for unified reporting and analysis.
- Enhanced Security: Take advantage of SQL Server’s robust security features while maintaining access to your MySQL data.
- Cross-Platform Integration: Enable seamless data flow between applications that use different database platforms.
Top 3 Methods to Connect MySQL to SQL Server
Here’s a quick overview of the three methods we’ll cover:
| Solution | Best For |
| SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) | Organizations needing official Microsoft support and comprehensive schema conversion |
| Coefficient | Non-technical users who want to transform and migrate data using familiar spreadsheet interfaces |
| ODBC Driver Method | Developers who require direct connectivity and custom migration scripts |
Let’s dive into each method in detail.
1. Coefficient: User-Friendly Data Migration
Coefficient is a no-code solution that allows seamless data migration between MySQL and SQL Server using Google Sheets or Excel as an intermediate platform. This method is ideal for business users who need to clean and transform data during migration.
Step-by-step Guide:
Step 1. Install Coefficient
For Google Sheets
- Open a new or existing Google Sheet, navigate to the Extensions tab, and select Add-ons > Get add-ons.
- In the Google Workspace Marketplace, search for “Coefficient.”
- Follow the prompts to grant necessary permissions.
- Launch Coefficient from Extensions > Coefficient > Launch.
- Coefficient will open on the right-hand side of your spreadsheet.
For Microsoft Excel
- Open Excel from your desktop or in Office Online. Click ‘File’ > ‘Get Add-ins’ > ‘More Add-Ins.’
- Type “Coefficient” in the search bar and click ‘Add.’
- Follow the prompts in the pop-up to complete the installation.
- Once finished, you will see a “Coefficient” tab in the top navigation bar. Click ‘Open Sidebar’ to launch Coefficient.
Step 2. Connect and Import Data from MySQL
- Launch Coefficient from the Extensions menu in Google Sheets.
- Select “Import from” and choose “MySQL.”
- Enter your MySQL credentials (host, database name, username, password) and choose your import method.
- Customize your import by selecting columns, filtering data, etc.
- Click Import to finish
Step 3. Export Data from Your Spreadsheet to MS SQL
Before starting, make sure you’ve connected to MS SQL.
Then, navigate to Coefficient’s menu >Click “Export to…”
Select MS SQL.
Choose the tab in your workbook that contains the data you want to export and specify the header row that contains the database field headers.
Specify the table in your database where you want to insert the data and choose the appropriate action (Insert, Update, Delete).
Complete the field mappings for the export. Then, confirm your settings and click “Export” to proceed.
Then, highlight the specific rows in your sheet that you want to export, or choose to export all rows.
Review your settings and follow the prompts to push your data back to MS SQL.
Pros:
- No coding required
- Familiar spreadsheet interface
- Data transformation capabilities
- Automated refresh options
Cons:
- May not be suitable for very large datasets
- Requires a spreadsheet as an intermediary
Learn more about MySQL Google Sheets Integration Explore MySQL Excel Integration
2. SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA)
Microsoft’s official migration tool is designed specifically for converting MySQL databases to SQL Server format with automated schema and data migration capabilities.
Steps:
Step 1: Install SSMA for MySQL
Installation Requirements:
SSMA Version: 8.24 or later
Prerequisites:
.NET Framework 4.7.2
Visual Studio 2019 Runtime
MySQL Connector/Net 8.0
System Requirements:
CPU: 1.8 GHz or faster
Memory: 4GB minimum
Disk Space: 2GB for installation
Operating System: Windows 10/11 or Server 2019/2022
Step 2: Connect to Source MySQL Database
— First, prepare MySQL database for migration
— Create a dedicated migration user in MySQL
CREATE USER ‘migration_user’@’%’
IDENTIFIED BY ‘StrongPassword123!’;
— Grant necessary permissions
GRANT SELECT, SHOW DATABASES, SHOW VIEW, LOCK TABLES
ON *.* TO ‘migration_user’@’%’;
— Validate user permissions
SHOW GRANTS FOR ‘migration_user’@’%’;
— Optional: Create connection test query
SELECT VERSION(), DATABASE(), USER();
Step 3: Connect to Target SQL Server Instance
— Prepare SQL Server for migration
CREATE DATABASE MySQLMigration;
GO
— Create dedicated migration login
CREATE LOGIN mysql_migration
WITH PASSWORD = ‘StrongPassword123!’;
GO
— Create database user
USE MySQLMigration;
GO
CREATE USER mysql_migration FOR LOGIN mysql_migration;
GO
— Grant necessary permissions
GRANT CREATE TABLE, ALTER, INSERT TO mysql_migration;
GO
— Create schema validation procedure
CREATE PROCEDURE dbo.ValidateSchema
AS
BEGIN
SELECT
OBJECT_NAME(object_id) as TableName,
indexes.name as IndexName,
indexes.type_desc as IndexType
FROM sys.indexes
WHERE OBJECT_NAME(object_id) IN (
SELECT name
FROM sys.tables
WHERE is_ms_shipped = 0
);
END;
Step 4: Convert Schema
— Create table validation queries
CREATE TABLE dbo.SchemaValidation (
ValidationID INT IDENTITY(1,1),
TableName NVARCHAR(128),
ColumnName NVARCHAR(128),
MySQLDataType NVARCHAR(50),
SQLServerDataType NVARCHAR(50),
ConversionStatus NVARCHAR(20),
ValidationDate DATETIME2 DEFAULT GETDATE()
);
— Create data type mapping check
CREATE PROCEDURE dbo.ValidateDataTypeMapping
AS
BEGIN
SELECT
TableName,
ColumnName,
MySQLDataType,
SQLServerDataType,
CASE
WHEN SQLServerDataType IS NULL THEN ‘Failed’
ELSE ‘Success’
END as ConversionStatus
FROM dbo.SchemaValidation
ORDER BY TableName, ColumnName;
END;
Step 5: Migrate Data
— Create migration tracking procedure
CREATE PROCEDURE dbo.TrackMigration
@TableName NVARCHAR(128),
@StartTime DATETIME2,
@EndTime DATETIME2,
@RowsCopied INT,
@Status NVARCHAR(20)
AS
BEGIN
INSERT INTO dbo.MigrationLog (
TableName, StartTime, EndTime,
RowsCopied, Status
)
VALUES (
@TableName, @StartTime, @EndTime,
@RowsCopied, @Status
);
END;
— Create validation query
CREATE PROCEDURE dbo.ValidateMigration
AS
BEGIN
SELECT
m.TableName,
m.RowsCopied,
DATEDIFF(SECOND, m.StartTime, m.EndTime) as DurationSeconds,
m.Status
FROM dbo.MigrationLog m
ORDER BY m.StartTime DESC;
END;
Pros:
- Official Microsoft support
- Comprehensive schema conversion
- Built-in validation tools
Cons:
- Complex interface for non-technical users
- Limited data transformation options
3. ODBC Driver Method
Using MySQL and SQL Server ODBC drivers provides a direct connection method for database migration, ideal for developers who need precise control over the migration process.
Steps:
Step 1: Install MySQL ODBC Driver
Driver Configuration:
Version: MySQL ODBC 8.0 Driver
Architecture: 64-bit
Connector Type: Unicode
Stop exporting data manually. Sync data from your business systems into Google Sheets or Excel with Coefficient and set it on a refresh schedule.
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SSL Configuration: Enabled
Character Set: utf8mb4
Step 2: Configure System DSN
[ODBC Data Sources]
MySQL_Source=MySQL ODBC 8.0 Unicode Driver
[MySQL_Source]
Driver=MySQL ODBC 8.0 Unicode Driver
Server=localhost
Port=3306
Database=source_database
User=migration_user
Password=encrypted:StrongPassword123!
Option=3
Step 3: Create Linked Server in SQL Server
— Create linked server
EXEC sp_addlinkedserver
@server = ‘MYSQL_SOURCE’,
@srvproduct = ‘MySQL’,
@provider = ‘MSDASQL’,
@datasrc = ‘MySQL_Source’;
— Configure security
EXEC sp_addlinkedsrvlogin
@rmtsrvname = ‘MYSQL_SOURCE’,
@useself = ‘False’,
@locallogin = NULL,
@rmtuser = ‘migration_user’,
@rmtpassword = ‘StrongPassword123!’;
Step 4: Write Migration Queries
— Create migration stored procedure
CREATE PROCEDURE dbo.MigrateTable
@SourceTable NVARCHAR(128),
@DestinationTable NVARCHAR(128)
AS
BEGIN
BEGIN TRY
BEGIN TRANSACTION;
— Create destination table if not exists
DECLARE @CreateSQL NVARCHAR(MAX);
SET @CreateSQL =
‘SELECT TOP 0 * INTO ‘ + @DestinationTable +
‘ FROM OPENQUERY(MYSQL_SOURCE,
”SELECT * FROM ‘ + @SourceTable + ”’)’;
EXEC sp_executesql @CreateSQL;
— Copy data
DECLARE @CopySQL NVARCHAR(MAX);
SET @CopySQL =
‘INSERT INTO ‘ + @DestinationTable +
‘ SELECT * FROM OPENQUERY(MYSQL_SOURCE,
”SELECT * FROM ‘ + @SourceTable + ”’)’;
EXEC sp_executesql @CopySQL;
COMMIT TRANSACTION;
END TRY
BEGIN CATCH
ROLLBACK TRANSACTION;
THROW;
END CATCH;
END;
Step 5: Execute Data Transfer
— Create execution log table
CREATE TABLE dbo.TransferLog (
LogID INT IDENTITY(1,1),
TableName NVARCHAR(128),
StartTime DATETIME2 DEFAULT GETDATE(),
EndTime DATETIME2,
RowsTransferred INT,
Status NVARCHAR(20)
);
— Create monitoring procedure
CREATE PROCEDURE dbo.MonitorTransfer
AS
BEGIN
SELECT
TableName,
DATEDIFF(SECOND, StartTime, EndTime) as DurationSeconds,
RowsTransferred,
Status,
CASE
WHEN Status = ‘Completed’ THEN ‘Success’
ELSE ‘Failed’
END as TransferResult
FROM dbo.TransferLog
WHERE StartTime >= DATEADD(HOUR, -24, GETDATE())
ORDER BY StartTime DESC;
END;
Pros:
- Direct database connection
- Full control over migration process
- No intermediate tools required
Cons:
- Requires technical expertise
- Manual query writing
- Limited automation options
Start Your MySQL to SQL Server Migration Today
While each method has its merits, Coefficient offers the most user-friendly approach for business users who need to maintain data accuracy and perform transformations during migration. It provides a balance between ease of use and powerful data manipulation capabilities.
Ready to streamline your database migration process? Get started with Coefficient today and experience seamless data integration between MySQL and SQL Server.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you convert MySQL to SQL?
Yes, you can convert MySQL to SQL Server using various methods. While traditional approaches like SSMA exist, Coefficient offers a more user-friendly solution that allows you to convert and migrate data through familiar spreadsheet interfaces.
How do I convert MySQL command to SQL Server?
The easiest way is to use Coefficient’s spreadsheet interface to import MySQL data, transform it as needed, and push it to SQL Server. Alternatively, SSMA can automatically convert most MySQL commands to their SQL Server equivalents.
Can MySQL connect to SQL Server?
Yes, MySQL can connect to SQL Server through various methods. Coefficient provides a no-code solution using spreadsheets as an intermediary, while technical users can utilize ODBC drivers for direct connectivity.
How to import MySQL data into SQL Server?
With Coefficient, you can import MySQL data by connecting to your database, selecting the required tables, transforming the data if needed, and pushing it to SQL Server – all through an intuitive spreadsheet interface.
Meta Title: How to Connect MySQL to SQL Server: 3 Proven Methods for 2024
Meta Description: Learn how to migrate MySQL to SQL Server using SSMA, Coefficient, or ODBC drivers. Step-by-step guide with pros and cons for each method. Start your migration today
