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Adventure Works for Azure SQL Database

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This post will show how to create the Adventure Works sample in an Azure SQL Database using the new Azure portal.

Background

Every once in awhile, I will need a sample database to test something out.  Such was the case today, I wanted to use the Adventure Works database sample in Azure SQL Database.  However, I remembered that there were a few modifications required to make it work in Azure SQL Database, so I kept searching to find a blog post somewhere that said how to do this.  I kept running into a download page:

https://msftdbprodsamples.codeplex.com/releases/view/37304

I am lazy in my old age, and I wanted something easier. 

I’ll also admit that I don’t use the new Azure portal very often, I prefer the old blue portal.  I decided to check to see if there is a link or quickstart… even better, they added Adventure Works directly into the blade!

This may be old news to some of you, but I couldn’t find this anywhere and it’s worth mentioning.

Create the Database

Click the New button and choose New / Data + Storage / SQL Database.

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The blade asks you to create a server.  Provide a name, location, and choose if you want to use the latest version (if your region supports it). 

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On the “Select Source” option, choose Sample.

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Now the samples are shown, and you can choose which one.  I am using a V12 server, so I’ll choose the V12 database.

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Choose your pricing tier.  This is just a quick demo of Azure Search and I don’t need active geo-replication for this solution, so I can get away with the $4.99US per month option.

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Review all of your settings and create the database.

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Yes, it’s that easy.  In about 10 minutes, my shiny new Adventure Works database is ready.

Playing Around With Azure SQL Database

I now go into Visual Studio 2013 and refresh the SQL Databases node, and the AdventureWorks database is there.

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Right-click and open in SQL Server Object Explorer.

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You are prompted to add a firewall rule.

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Provide credentials, and you are now logged in and can easily query the database.

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Like I said, probably old information for some, but I was happy to see that I didn’t have to go edit indexes in SQL scripts anymore just to get a sample database going. 

Notably missing: Northwind.  Gotta get Northwind up there Smile

For More Information

Adventure Works for Azure SQL Database – download the database and install from command line instead of using the portal integration shown above.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    August 27, 2015
    The comment has been removed

  • Anonymous
    August 31, 2015
    @Scott - thanks for the note!  Maybe I'll publish content for YouTube one day, for now I prefer writing to my blog.

  • Anonymous
    December 17, 2015
    Why only AdventureWorksLT and not the "fully fledged" version? Even Northwind is more complex. So I guess, moving AdventureWorks to azure is still a manual job :-(

  • Anonymous
    April 27, 2016
    Excellent... I am just now "playing" with Azure using BizSpark... I found your article helpful. Thank you!-------------------------Perry