How to select data of a table from another database in SQL Server?

Question

Suppose, I have a database named testdb in test server. Also I have a database named proddb in prod server.

Now I want to select data of a table of testdb database from proddb database.

How can I do that in SQL Server?

Also, I can do it using database link in oracle. But how can do that in SQL Server?

Answer 1

You need sp_addlinkedserver()

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms190479.aspx

Example:

exec sp_addlinkedserver @server = 'test'

then

select * from [server].[database].[schema].[table]

In your example:

select * from [test].[testdb].[dbo].[table]

Answer 2

In SQL Server 2012 and above, you don't need to create a link. You can execute directly

SELECT * FROM [TARGET_DATABASE].dbo.[TABLE] AS _TARGET

I don't know whether previous versions of SQL Server work as well

Answer 3

I've used this before to setup a query against another server and db via linked server:

EXEC sp_addlinkedserver @server='PWA_ProjectServer', @srvproduct='',
@provider='SQLOLEDB', @datasrc='SERVERNAME\PWA_ProjectServer'

per the comment above:

select * from [server].[database].[schema].[table]

e.g.

select top 6 * from [PWA_ProjectServer].[PWA_ProjectServer_Reporting].[dbo].[MSP_AdminStatus]

Answer 4

To do a cross server query, check out the system stored procedure: sp_addlinkedserver in the help files.

Once the server is linked you can run a query against it.