Microsoft supplied tools
Visual Studio Community 2017 free – when used with the SQL Server Compact / SQLite Toolbox: SQL CE 3.5, SQL CE 4.0Visual Studio 2008 Professional (SQL CE 3.5)
Visual Studio 2005 Standard (SQL CE 3.1)
SQL Server 2008 R2 Management Studio Express (free, SQL CE 3.5 SP2)
Link: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=30438
SQL Server 2005 Management Studio Express SP2 (free, SQL CE 3.1)
Link: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=15366
New or updated entries are noted with (new) or (updated) ”Last updated” indicates when the tool was last updated by it’s author.
Non-commercial (free) tools
My GitHub Tools
Name: SQL Server Compact Toolbox (updated)Link: https://github.com/ErikEJ/SqlCeToolbox
SQL CE Versions: 3.5, 4.0
Last updated: Current
Platforms: Win32, Win64
Added to list: 29th June 2010
”Add-in for Visual Studio 2071/2015/2013/2012 (for 3.5 and 4.0). Standalone app (for 4.0 and 3.5)
Adds several features to help your SQL Server Compact development efforts:
- Scripting of tables, including data.
- Script of entire schema, optionally with data, both of SQL Server Compact and SQL Server 2005 or later databases, including SQL Azure.
- Import to SQL Compact 3.5 from a server database or CSV file.
- Basic, free form query execution.
- Generation of DGML files for visualizing table relationships
- Database Schema Diff Script
- Detect database file version
- Fix broken connection definitions”
Name: SqlCeScripting.dll (updated)
Link: https://github.com/ErikEJ/SqlCeToolbox
SQL CE Versions: 3.5, 4.0
Last updated: Current
Platforms: Win32, Win64
Added to list: 29th June 2010
”Scripting library for inclusion in your own application, enumerates SQL Compact objects and allows scripting of these.”
Name: SqlCeCmd (updated)
Link: https://github.com/ErikEJ/SqlCeCmd
SQL CE Versions: 3.5, 4.0
Last updated: 2015
Platforms: Win32, Win64
”Administer SQL Compact databases directly from the command line, without having Visual Studio or SQL Server Management Studio installed. Only requires NetFx 2.0 and SQL Compact installed. Command line options similar to sqlcmd. Runs scripts generated by ExportSqlCe.”
Name: ExportSqlCe (updated)
Link: https://github.com/ErikEJ/SqlCeToolbox/
SQL CE Versions: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0
Last updated: Current
Platforms: Win32, Win64
”This command line utility helps you better manage your SQL Compact development efforts. If allows you to script schema and data from any SQL Compact database file to a .sql file, which can be used in any context. The utility is developed in C# with Visual Studio 2008. You can use the resulting script for documentation, programmatic scripting of SQL Compact database files, or migration of schema and data to SQL Server (Express) 2005 or later.
Name: Export2SqlCe (updated)
Link: https://github.com/ErikEJ/SqlCeToolbox
SQL Server Versions: 2005, 2008, 2012, 2014
Last updated: Current
Platforms: Win32
Added to list: 4th March 2010
”A command line utility to script an entire SQL Server 2005 or later database with or without data to a SQL Compact T-SQL script.”
Name: SqlCeBulkCopy (updated)
Link: https://github.com/ErikEJ/SqlCeBulkCopy
SQL CE Versions: 3.5, 4.0
Last updated: Current
Platforms: .NET library, .NET CF library
Added to list: 4th March 2010
”.NET Library for loading data fast (doing bulk inserts) into a SQL Server Compact database file. Attempts to mimic the SQLClient SqlBulkCopy API. Includes support for BULK INSERTing any IEnumerable”
Query and database management tools
Name: CompactViewLink: http://sourceforge.net/p/compactview/home/Home/
SQL CE Versions: 3.1, 3.5, 4.0
Last updated: 2015
Platforms: Win32, Win64
Added to list: 14th November 2011
CompactView is a viewer for Microsoft® SQL Server® Compact Edition (SQLCE) database files (*.sdf). CompactView can open database files of versions 3.1, 3.5 and 4.0
Name: SQL Compact Query Analyzer
Link: http://sqlcequery.codeplex.com/
SQL CE Versions: 3.1, 3.5, 4.0
Last updated: 2013
Platforms: Win32, Win64
Added to list: 3rd July 2011
Features:
- Execute SQL Queries against a SQL Server Compact Edition database
- Table Data Editor to easily edit the contents of the database
- Supports SQLCE 3.0, 3.1, 3.5 and 4.0
- Execute multiple SQL queries (delimited by a semi colon ;)
- Display query result as XML
- Shrink and Compact Databases
- Generate Schema and Data Scripts
- Display database and schema information
Name: LINQPad
Link: http://www.linqpad.net/
SQL CE Versions: 3.5, 4.0
Last updated: Current
Platforms: Win32, Win64
Added to list: 14th December 2010
Linqpad allows you to query various data sources via LINQ, including SQL Server Compact 3.5 and 4.0. See this blog post.
Name: Database .NET
Link: http://fishcodelib.com/Database.htm
SQL CE Versions: 3.1, 3.5, 4.0
Last updated: Current
Platforms: Win32, Win64
Added to list: 20th September 2010
“Database .NET is a simple and intuitive database management tool for multiple databases. Making Local and Remote Database Administration Easier, With it you can Create databases, Design tables, Edit data, Export data, Generate scripts and run SQL queries.”
Name: SQL CE Browser
Link: http://ericwillis.com/notes/2009/12/sql-ce-browser-v-110/
SQL CE Versions: 3.5
Last updated: 2010
Platforms: Win32, Win64 (?)
Added to list: 4th March 2010
”Open regular and encrypted/passworded databases for viewing or editing. Write and work with any number of queries at once via tabs. SQL syntax highlighting and SQL syntax verification. Explore columns, keys, and indexes“
Name: Mini SQL Query
Link: http://minisqlquery.codeplex.com/
SQL CE Versions: 3.5
Last updated: 2014
Platforms: Win32, Win64 (?)
Added to list: 4th March 2010
”Mini SQL Query is a minimalist SQL query tool for multiple databases (MSSQL, MSSQL CE, SQLite, OLEDB, MS Access/Excel files etc). The tool uses a generic schema engine taking advantage of the ADO.NET providers. Mini SQL Query is also easily extended with plugins.“
Name: SQL Server CE Query Tool
Link: http://cequery.codeplex.com
SQL CE Versions: 3.5, 4.0
Last updated: 2011
Platforms: Win32, Win64 (?)
”
CEQuery is written in C# with the help of Visual Studio 2008 platform. Some of the features of this tool are described below: User is able to create CE database. If the schema is provided, the tool is able to create the tables and columns. User is able to overview an existing CE database with its table and column structure in tree format. User can design a query by dragging and dropping tables and columns from the database tree. User can manipulate [
Insert/Update/Delete] records in a selected table. User is able to generate scripts from a single table or of whole databases. [Both for SQL CE or SQL Server]. User is able to open multiple SQL Server CE files simultaneously. User is able to convert a SQL Server database to a SDF file with schema and data. User is able to change password of a SQL CE DB. The tool is now capable of handling the database with no password.“Name: SeasonStar Database Management(SSDM)
Link: http://ssdm.codeplex.com/
SQL CE Versions: 3.5?, 4.0
Last updated: 2011
Platforms: Win32
”With support for all major database formats, top-class export functions and advanced feaures like Linq Data Context availabe, SSDM is probably your best choice for DB management. It's even free software!”
Name: SQL CE Database Editor
Link: http://sqlcedatabaseeditor.codeplex.com/
SQL CE Versions: 3.5
Last updated: 2009
Platforms: Win32
“Small lightweight application to browse and edit Microsoft SQL CE server databases. Does not require SQL CE server to be installed and can run custom queries.”
Name: DataBoy
Link:http://databoy.codeplex.com/
SQL CE Versions: 3.0, 3.5
Last updated: 2008
Platforms: Win32
“Small footprint, portable and simple database query tool. Support SQL CE 3.1, SQL CE 3.5 and SQL Server.”
Other tools and libraries
Name: Lyare.SqlServerCe.MultiQuery (new)Link: https://github.com/lokiworld/Lyare.SqlServerCe.MultiQuery
SQL CE Versions: 4.0
Last updated: 2014
Platforms: Win32, Win64
Added to list: 2nd March, 2014
“An extension to the Microsoft SQL Server Compact Edition client library, which simulates the support of the multiple statements in a single command.”
Name: SQLCE SCRIPTER
Link: http://sqlmgmt.com/sql/SQLCE-Scripter
SQL CE Versions: 3.5, 4.0
Last updated: 2011
Platforms: Win32, Win64
Added to list: 14th November, 2011
“Create SQL schema scripts for tables, indexes and referential relations. Create data scripts so that CE data can be moved to SQL Server or other data store. User can select specific tables only. User can select Script Schema, Script Data or both.”
Name: SQLCE Code Generator
Link: http://sqlcecodegen.codeplex.com/
SQL CE Versions: 3.5, 4.0
Last updated: 2012
Platforms: Win32, Win64
Added to list: 27th March, 2011
“Contains a stand alone GUI application and a Visual Studio Custom Tool for automatically generating a .NET data access layer code with Unit tests for objects in a SQL Server Compact Edition database. Also generates a Windows Phone DataContext”
Name: OpenNETCF.ORM Framework
Link: http://orm.codeplex.com/
SQL CE Versions: 3.5
Last updated: Current
Platforms: WinCE, Win32, Win64
Added to list: 27th March, 2011
“The OpenNETCF.ORM library is a lightweight object-relational mapping framework designed for use with the .NET Compact Framework.The framework is extensible to allow any type of backing store. An initial implementation using SQL Server Compact is provided.”
Name: SQL Metal Open Source User Interface
Link: http://sqlmetalosui.codeplex.com/
SQL CE Versions: 3.5
Last updated: 2008
Platforms: Win32
“This project provides an user interface for SqlMetal.exe tool.
SQLMetalOSUI allows users to generate code and mapping files for their SQL Server Compact Edition databases. SQL Server Compact Edition 3.5 is fully compatible with LINQ to SQL but the designer does not. This project will be focused to reach this initial purpose.”
Commercial tools
Name: MS Compact Maestro (new)
Link: http://www.sqlmaestro.com/products/mssql/compact_maestro/
SQL CE Versions: 3.5, 4.0
Last updated: 2013
Platforms: Win32, Win64
”MS Compact Maestro is a top-class SQL Server Compact management and development tool.”
Name: SDF Viewer
Link: http://www.flyhoward.com/SDF_Viewer.aspx
SQL CE Versions: 3.0, 3.5, 4.0
Last updated: Current
Platforms: Win32
“The simple way to create, view, edit or export the data in your Windows Mobile or Pocket PC device's SQLCE database, from the convenience of your Desktop. Run SQL commands on your SQLCE databases, and view the results instantly.”
Name: RemoteSqlCe
Link: http://www.gui-innovations.com/html/remotesqlce.html
SQL CE Versions: 2.0, 3.0
Last updated: 2007
Platforms: Windows CE, Win32
”SqlServerCE is a great database for Pocket PC’s, but designing, maintaining and querying databases on the PPC, especially whilst developing, can be wearing. We developed this tool to help us when developing for SqlServerCE. With RemoteSQLCe you can completely manage your SqlServerCE database from the desktop. RemoteSQLCE works in the cradle, and over ethernet/bluetooth.”
37 comments:
Gracias loco, estaba buscando esto! Saludos
Very informative, exactly the sort of information I had been looking for; with no extra serving of B.S. on the side -- well done!
Tried all tools from here, no one was able to do what i needed, so i wrote small tool that can copy result of query from one DB to another, works with ADO .NET, ODBC, OLEDB.
http://brokenpipe.wordpress.com/2010/01/02/ado-net-data-transfer-tool/
Do you know any database schema compare/sync tools for SQL Compact?
For example, I use xSQL Object on my SQL Server development. I found it be extremely useful when performing database upgrade for my customers.
Owner: You could script the SQL Compact databases, create SQL Server databases for each, and do the compare using any SQL Server compare tool - I do not know any schema compare tool that supports SQL Compact.
There is another free, light-weight query editor for SQL Server Compact.
http://www.yohz.com/
Hi
I'm working with a database .SDF using a VisualCE program, but this development software doesn't have any instruction or tool to sync between SDF and SQL server. Do you know any application which can do this synchronization?
I didn't develop my application in Visual Basic because I haven't experience in program language and VisualCE was a easy one.
Thanks.
In order to perform sync, you must develop an app in C# or VB.net - I do not know VisualCE...
Cool list, thank you.
It is a free and multiple database manager
Supports SQL CE 3.5(v2), 4.0(v3)
http://fishcodelib.com/Database.htm
Fish: added to the list!
Thanks ErikEJ!
Database .NET v3 now works with SQL Server CE 3.1/3.5 and 4.0 databases (Auto Detection of Database Versions)
Eric
Can you add two tools to your list please.
Database Browser Portable
http://www.dbsoftlab.com/database-editors/database-browser/overview.html
Simple data editing tool
Works with a lot of different databases including SQL Server CE 3.1/3.5
Advanced ETL Processor
http://www.dbsoftlab.com/etl-tools/advanced-etl-pocessor-news/
Powerful Data Transformation tool
Support 16 different database types including SQL Server CE
Thank you!
Very useful info.
I am looking for a graphical sql server CE 4.0 management tool that will allow me to Import data into the tables. I need to import data from large Excel files. What are my options?
My Toolbox can create INSERT statements from a csv file, but may be challenged by large Excel files. I do not know any other tool that works directly with Excel files.
Thanks. I can import my XLS files into an Access table, the export it as a CSV.
With an Access table as a starting point, are there any other options for getting the data into a CE 4.0 database using your Toolbox?
Nope, (other than migratting access to SQL Server, but that will be too many steps). The Primeworks tools has very good MS Access support
Very nice list Erik. Thank you.
It's sad that they are so many different free projects doing similar things... They should come together and make a common effort...
Jonx: Agreed, but many entries in the list are inactive projects - maybe I should add that info (Last activity date) to the list, if I can find it.
Are there any web based one similar to PhpMyAdmin?
Eeleen: No, not that I know of, would that be useful?
Is there a way to connect to a SQL Server CE 4.0 from Excel to use is as a data source for Pivot Table ?
I cannot see any Oledb provider corresponding to
Windows CE in the Excel Data Source connection dialog after installing it, and the associated tools...
Jose: See this post: http://erikej.blogspot.com/2010/06/walkthrough-expose-sql-compact-data-to.html
Other utility to view/edit/query and show schema is the open source program "CompactView":
http://www.sourceforge.net/p/compactview/home/Home/
Axtur: Yes, it will be on the list soon - yet another query tool - I wish all the query tools developers could join forces instead of each developing the same tool!
could you see my question?
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/10542544/a-lot-of-update-same-column-at-one-query-how-to-do-this-dynamic-query
mutiples query how convert it, only in one? cuz it update all rows
Just needed an editor and a way to run scripts.
on this Win7 64b machine:
SQL Compact Query Analyzer
installs but nothing shows up in the start menu
SQL CE Browser
crashes promptly on start up
SQL CE Database Editor
crashes promptly on start up
SqlCeExplorer
crashes promptly on start up
CompactView
too minimalist and slow
Compact Query
just works
fast
Thanks it helped me!
Hi,
First of all, thanks for your these posts... very useful.
In case you would like to keep your post up to date, Compact view has just been updated to version 1.4.2 on 2014-02-18.
Tnks!
Hello Sir. I love your blog. Keep up the good work.
I have found all the necessary info about what database is right in terms of their pros and cons. This site has been truly useful to me.
I however want to make a humbly request. I wish you will make a tutorial about using SQLite with VB.NET, C# with SQLite.
There seems to be very limited resources out there. Even if they are many, they seem to very fragmented and the steps seems very confusing to me...Some talk of Finisar dll that needs to be downloaded etc.
To me, as it seems SQLite is going to be the future db for apps, I wish there was a good site or blog dedicated to it providing solid tutorials on how to complete the basics of every DB app - CRUD. (Add, Read, Edit, Delete) with the embedding/and retrieval of images to the database as well.
I have managed to make a head start but due to very limted resource materials on .net and sqlite, I have found myself wanting.
For example, I have been able to load all the tables in the database to a combobox, but I am unable to display the content of a table in a listview for instance.
I urge you to google: "How to display sqlite table contents into listview in VB.net" and all you get is stuff relating to android.
Please kindly help. We need resources on the .net languages (VB.NET esp & C# and SQLite). ALso please help me with how to display the contents of the sqlite table to my listview. It will be very much appreciated by the way. :)
what can I do if I've got this message ?
SQL Server Compact does not support calls to HasRows property if the underlying cursor is not scrollable.
Radwan: pls do not use these blog comments for the support, ask on gothub or stackoverflow, please
Do you know of any repair tools for sqlce. I have a sdf file that will not open and gives the error message The database file is corrupted, possibly due to a file system issue. Ive tried your sqlcecmd40 repairdatabase with no joy aswell as other editors.
@rekojem: No, I do not know any other tools - restore a backup!
You could adjust your CodePlex links to point to GitHub.
@UK: Updated!
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