How do I copy SQL Azure database to my local development server?

Question

Does anyone know how I can copy a SQL Azure database to my development machine? I\'d like to stop paying to have a development database in the cloud, but it\'s the best way

Answer 1

The trick for me was to start replicating PKs/FKs/constraints on empty DB, then temporarily disable constraints while importing data (see https://stackoverflow.com/a/161410).

More precisely:

1. Create empty target DB manually;
2. Right-click source DB > Tasks > Generate Scripts;
3. Run script file on empty target DB (now DB has correct PKs/FKs/constraints, but no data);
4. Disable all constraints;
5. Import data (Right-click target DB > Tasks > Import Data);
6. Re-enable constraints.

Hope this helps!