SQL command-line utilities (Database Engine)
Applies to: 
SQL Server
Azure SQL Database
Azure SQL Managed Instance
Azure Synapse Analytics
Analytics Platform System (PDW)
Command-line utilities enable you to script SQL Server Database Engine operations. The following table contains a list of several command-line utilities that ship with SQL Server.
For information on the main SQL graphical and command-line tools, see SQL tools overview.
| Utility | Description | Installed in |
|---|---|---|
| bcp | Used to copy data between an instance of Microsoft SQL Server and a data file in a user-specified format. | <drive:>\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\Client SDK\ODBC\110\Tools\Binn |
| dta | Used to analyze a workload and recommend physical design structures to optimize server performance for that workload. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\nnn\Tools\Binn |
| dtexec | Used to configure and execute an Integration Services package. A user interface version of this command-line utility is called DTExecUI, which brings up the Execute Package Utility. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\nnn\DTS\Binn |
| dtutil | Used to manage SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) packages. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\nnn\DTS\Binn |
| Deploy Model Solutions with the Deployment | Used to deploy Analysis Services projects to instances of Analysis Services. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\nnn\Tools\Binn\VShell\Common7\IDE |
| osql | Allows you to enter Transact-SQL statements, system procedures, and script files at the command prompt. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\nnn\Tools\Binn |
| Profiler | Used to start SQL Server Profiler from a command prompt. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\nnn\Tools\Binn |
| RS.exe (SSRS) | Used to run scripts designed for managing Reporting Services report servers. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\nnn\Tools\Binn |
| rsconfig (SSRS) | Used to configure a report server connection. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\nnn\Tools\Binn |
| rskeymgmt (SSRS) | Used to manage encryption keys on a report server. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\nnn\Tools\Binn |
| sqlagent90 application | Used to start SQL Server Agent from a command prompt. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\<instance_name>\MSSQL\Binn |
| sqlcmd | Allows you to enter Transact-SQL statements, system procedures, and script files at the command prompt. | <drive:>\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\Client SDK\ODBC\110\Tools\Binn |
| SQLdiag | Used to collect diagnostic information for Microsoft Customer Service and Support. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\nnn\Tools\Binn |
| sqllogship | Used by applications to perform backup, copy, and restore operations and associated clean-up tasks for a log shipping configuration without running the backup, copy, and restore jobs. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\nnn\Tools\Binn |
| SqlLocalDB | An execution mode of SQL Server targeted to program developers. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\nnn\Tools\Binn |
| sqlmaint | Used to execute database maintenance plans created in previous versions of SQL Server. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\nnn\\MSSQL\Binn |
| sqlps | Used to run PowerShell commands and scripts. Loads and registers the SQL Server PowerShell provider and cmdlets. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\nnn\Tools\Binn |
| sqlservr | Used to start and stop an instance of Database Engine from the command prompt for troubleshooting. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL16.MSSQLSERVER\MSSQL\Binn |
| ssms | Used to start SQL Server Management Studio from a command prompt. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\nnn\Tools\Binn\VSShell\Common7\IDE |
| tablediff | Used to compare the data in two tables for nonconvergence, which is useful when troubleshooting a replication topology. | <drive>:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\nnn\COM |
Command-line utilities syntax conventions
| Convention | Used for |
|---|---|
| UPPERCASE | Statements and terms used at the operating system level. |
monospace |
Sample commands and program code. |
| italic | User-supplied parameters. |
| bold | Commands, parameters, and other syntax that must be typed exactly as shown. |