In this article, we will show you how to connect to SQL Server using sqlcmd utility with practical examples. Before you start using the command prompt to connect with SQL Server, First, use the SQLCMD utility help command to see the list of available options
SQLCMD -?
Connect using sqlcmd utility Windows Authentication
You can connect in multiple ways.
-- Connect Default Instance using Windows Authentication SQLCMD -S SERVERNAME -E -- Connect Named Instance using Windows Authentication SQLCMD -S SERVERNAME\INSTANCE -E -- Connecting Named Instance with port using Windows Authentication SQLCMD -S SERVERNAME\INSTANCE, 1919 -E
In this SQL Server tutorial example, we will connect with SQL Windows authentication.
SQLCMD -S PRASAD -E
Use QUIT keyword to exit or close the connection
QUIT
If your SQL server has the localhost instance, you can use that localhost to connect with the server.
SQLCMD -S localhost -E
The query below will return all the available SQL databases.
SELECT name FROM master.sys.databases
Connect using sqlcmd utility and Server Authentication
You can connect with SQL Server authentication in multiple ways.
-- Connect Default Instance using SQL Authentication SQLCMD -S SERVERNAME -U Username -P password -- Connect Named Instance using user Authentication SQLCMD -S SERVERNAME\INSTANCE -U Username -P password -- Connecting Named Instance with port using SQL. Authentication SQLCMD -S SERVERNAME\INSTANCE, 1919 -U Username -P password
Let me connect with Server authentication.
SQLCMD -S PRASAD -U Suresh -P yourpassword
Let me select the Column names from the Employee table. Please refer to the Get the column names in SQL and create a table in SQL articles.
SELECT COLUMN_NAME FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS WHERE TABLE_NAME = N'Employee' GO
