• Free Sql Server Database Viewer
• Free Sql Database Viewer Download

It also has an Export option by which you can export all the recovered BAK data directly to the SQL Server Database. Steps to Open BAK file without SQL Server and Restore it to the SQL Server Database. Download SQL BAK File Recovery Tool and launch it into your Windows system.

• SysInfo SQL file viewer is a free application that lets users view and open SQL database files without SQL Server. This free SQL Opener supports viewing of all the data types of SQL files like tables, columns, classes, triggers, keys, indexes, etc.
• DbVisualizer Free is a universal database tool that allows you to manage a wide range of databases including Oracle, Sybase, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, DB2, MySQL, Informix, H2, and SQLite.

Free Sql Server Database Viewer

Microsoft SQL Server application is one of the biggest waves in the relational database management system and handles huge database in a well-structured manner.

Nowadays, Ex-employees or hackers intentionally modifies the values of databases in order to damage the organization assets. And it becomes difficult to analyze or examine who is the culprit manually. As a result, the Organizations run into big trouble.

In SQL Server, there is a transaction Log file that keep records of all transactions & modifications in database executed on a database in a Microsoft SQL Server. By reading the Log file, one can easily check who deleted data from table in SQL Server database. Plus, it is used by forensic investigator to examine SQL Server Transaction Log and view & check every log detail in a detailed manner. In short, with SQL Log file, it becomes easy to find out which query performed on which table at what time.

Here, we are going to answer how to view log file of SQL Server by using various workarounds. Just go through this article once and understand how to open or read transaction log file in Microsoft SQL Server 2017 / 2016 / 2014 / 2012 / 2008 / 2008 R2 / 2005.

Moreover, if user want to restore the deleted query from a log file, then they can go through this blog – How to Recover Data from Log file in SQL Server – A Complete Guide .

Methods Use For How to View Transaction Log File of SQL Server

In the following section, you will understand how to open, check and read transaction file to retrieve information about the data which had been altered. So, let’s get started!!

Workarounds to Read SQL Log File

#Approach 1: Use Log File Viewer in SQL Server Management Studio

Basically, this method exclusively used to open and view the information about following logs in SSMS:

• Audit Collection
• Database Mail
• Job History
• Data Collection
• SQL Server
• SQL Server Agent
• Windows Events

Its prime function of Log File Viewer is to provide the report of activities taken place in SQL Server Management Studio. In fact, one can open the Log File Viewer wizard in different ways on the basis of information that you want to check. Now, go through the instructions to view log details in SQL Server.

How to View Log File of SQL Server Via. Log File Viewer

Step 1: Open Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio application. Here, we are using SQL Server 2014 environment for reading SQL Server Error Log.

Step 2:Connect to Server windows pops-up. Here, you need to select the Server Name and Type of Authentication. Afterward, click on Connect.

Step 3: In Object Explorer, go to Management as shown in the screenshot to examine or read log file of SQL Server 2014.

Step 4: Now, move to SQL Server Logs option.

Step 5: Now, Right-click on SQL Server Logs and select View >> SQL Server Log sequentially.

Step 6: All the Log summary displayed on Log File Viewer window. Here, you can select other logs such as SQL Server Agent , Database Mail from the left panel to check its information too.

#Approach 2: View Log File of SQL Server Via. Undocumented fn_dblog()

Originally, the function fn_dblog() is used to extract data from Transaction file of SQL Server for forensic purposes to analyze every log event performed on the table. So, let’s check out how to read transaction log file in Microsoft SQL Server 2017 / 2016 / 2014 / 2012 / 2008 / 2008 R2 / 2005 editions.

Steps to View Log File in SQL Server Using Fn_dblog()

Step 1: We have a table named as ‘Employee’. So, first view the values of the table using the following T-SQL.
Select * from employee.

Step 2: Afterward, alter the table data using update command. For this, execute the query;
Update employee set department ='IT' where emp_name = 'jeevan'

Step 3: Again, view the table values using the Select Query. Now, you can see a modified table.

Free Sql Database Viewer Download

Step 4: Run the fn_dblog function according to the need. Here, we execute the query to check out the time when update operation was executed.

Select [Begin Time], [Transaction Name] from fn_dblog(null , null) where [Transaction Name] = ‘Update’

Step 5: In a situation, when you want to analyze all the logs such as Delete etc. , then run the following T-SQL query.

Select [Begin Time], [Transaction Name] from fn_dblog(null, null)

However, there are some consequences attached with fn_dblog(). Actually, this function only provide the time of the query when it was committed instead of which data entry gets affected. Due to which, it becomes cumbersome to find out which table data get altered. This problem is overcome with the third technique where user can view the log file of SQL Server without any hassle. Apart from this, both the described technique can run in SQL Server Management Studio only. You cannot read a Transaction Log File in offline environment with Log File Viewer and Fn_dblog().

#Approach 3: Use Smart Solution to Analyze Transaction File Easily

To get exact information from SQL Log File, take the help of SysTools SQL Log Reader Software. With the help of this software, user can scan and analyze T-log file in human readable format. However, the tool works in Online as well as Offline environment. User can get the information like Transaction , Login Name , Time , Table Name , Query . It is a best software solution that answers the question – how to read SQL Server Transaction Log file.

Related : How to Fix Log File Corruption – Step-By-Step Guide

In fact, after viewing the log file of SQL Server, user can export the query in Live SQL Server database environment , SQL Compatible Scripts , and in CSV format. Moreover , the software can read Transaction log file of every SQL Server edition.

That’s all about on how to View Log file of SQL Server. Now, go through the methods and opt the best that suitable for youand examine SQL Server Transaction Log file.

Frequently Asked Questions:-

Try SQL Log Analyzer tool to easily scan and read the Transaction .ldf file records.

Use Fn_dblog() function to read the details of transaction in SQL Server.

With the help of SQL Log Viewer, one can read .ldf file and view Transaction, Transaction time, Table name and Query of Microsoft SQL Server 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008 and SQL Server 2005

Yes, with the help of mentioned workaround, one can easily examine SQL LDF file.

1. Appreciate the recommendation. Will try it out.|

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