Add date to SQL database backup filename

Question

I\'m using the below to backup a db from a SQL job. Can someone tell me how to add the current date to the output filename? Preferably in YYYYMMDD format.

BACK         


        

Answer 1

If you want to include the date and time, so you can use:

DECLARE @MyFileName varchar(200)
SELECT @MyFileName='\\ServerToSave\Path\MyDB_' + REPLACE(convert(nvarchar(20),GetDate(),120),':','-') + '.bak'
BACKUP DATABASE [myDB] TO DISK=@MyFileName ...

The 120 in the Convert gives you the yyyy-mm-dd hh:mi:ss(24h)

The REPLACE function is necessary because the filename can not have the : character.