Reputation: 27037

How do I open a SQL CE4 .sdf database file?

I installed Microsoft WebMatrix, which, I believe comes with SQL Server CE4. I've tried opening the SDF file in SQL Management Studio (SQL 2008), but I get the following error message:

-------- Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio: There is no editor available for 'C:\efTest\App_Data\SchoolRepository.sdf'.

Make sure the application for the file type (.sdf) is installed.

How do I view/modify my .sdf database?

I see there is a similar question on StackOverflow (http://stackoverflow.com/questions/4070860/sql-compact-4-0-cant-open-read-sdf-file) but I would really like to use Management Studio if I can, and not another 3rd party tool.

Upvotes: 14

Answers (5)

Haryono

Reputation: 2832

If you are using Visual Studio 2015, 2013, 2012, 2010, try SqlCeToolbox.4.5.0.3.vsix. It is SQL Server Compact/SQLite Toolbox for Visual Studio.

The link: http://www.sokhawin.com/how-to-open-sql-compact-edition-file-sdf-in-visual-studio-or-linqpad/

It has ability to open and edit.

Upvotes: 0

friend

Reputation: 1919

All of the other options require SQL CE 4.0 Database Provider installed on your machine.

This one doesn't need provider http://sqlcequery.codeplex.com/

Upvotes: 0

blins

Reputation: 2535

Here are a couple which have worked quite well for me in terms of connecting to SQL CE 3.5 and 4.0 databases:

LINQPad - (See my remark to question) It works quite well plus it allows for specifying LINQ or SQL for queries.

CompactView - Seems pretty full featured + install creates a nice Windows file association so one can simply double-click to open/connect to .sdf files for instance.

Upvotes: 4