I have a database in SQL server 2012. I want to convert it to SQL express 2012. Is that possible? if yes how can I do that?

both use the same database Level, so detach/attach should work just fine (

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms187858.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396 ).

consider however the limitatiosn, like the database cannot be bigger 10gb (

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/server-cloud/Products/sql-server-editions/sql-server-express.aspx )

• Proposed as answer by Katherine XiongMicrosoft contingent staff, Moderator Thursday, September 03, 2015 7:46 AM

Hello,

Is the actual SQL Server instance an Enterprise Edition? In that case you should make sure the instance and the databases are not using Enterprise Edition features before transferring databases to the new Express edition instance.

You may consider to use the backup and restore method for migrating those databases.

Please consider you wont have SQL Server Agent to schedule jobs on a SQL Server Express Edition instance.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Alberto Morillo
SQLCoffee.com

• Edited by Alberto MorilloMVP, Moderator Thursday, September 03, 2015 1:51 PM

I have a database in SQL server 2012. I want to convert it to SQL express 2012. Is that possible? if yes how can I do that?

Plain and simple answer NO, you cannot *convert* it and I assume you have licensed version of 2012 why do you actually want to change it into express which has lot of limitations.

Now can you tell me what is your requirement may be I can suggest you an alternative