What is a .sql file?
SQL Script · Code and data · IBM (SQL language) · 1970s
A SQL file is a plain-text script of database commands, such as creating tables or inserting and querying data. Opening it is harmless, but running it against a database executes those commands, which can change or delete data.
What is a .sql file used for?
A .sql file holds SQL statements: the language databases speak, with commands like SELECT, INSERT, CREATE and DROP. It is often a database dump (a backup as text), a schema setup, or a migration.
Reading a .sql is completely safe, it is just text. The care is in running it: executing the script against a database carries out every command in it, which can include deleting rows or dropping whole tables.
You run one in a database client such as psql, the MySQL command line, SQLite, or a GUI like DBeaver, pointed at the database you want to change.
Open it in a text editor first to see exactly what it will do, especially any DROP or DELETE statements.
How to open a .sql file
The .sql format opens in the following apps, grouped by operating system. If one app does not work, try another from the same list.
Windows
- VS Code or Notepad++ (to read/edit)
- DBeaver / a DB client (to run)
macOS
- VS Code (to read/edit)
- DBeaver / a DB client (to run)
Linux
- Any text editor (to read/edit)
- psql / mysql / sqlite (to run)
Web
- Online SQL editors (against a test database)
How to convert a .sql file
You can convert a .sql file to Not convertible using a conversion tool or the export menu of an app that opens it.
.sql file signature (magic bytes)
Programs recognise a .sql file by the bytes at the start of the file, not by its name. These are the signatures for SQL.
| Hex signature | Offset | Note |
|---|---|---|
| (no fixed signature) | 0 | plain text; no fixed signature |
See the full magic-numbers reference for every format.
Frequently asked questions
What is a .sql file?
A SQL file is a plain-text script of database commands, such as creating tables or inserting and querying data. Opening it is harmless, but running it against a database executes those commands, which can change or delete data.
How do I open a SQL file?
Open it in any text editor to read the commands. To actually run it, load it into a database client such as DBeaver, psql or the MySQL command line and execute it against your database.
How do I run a .sql file?
In a database client, connect to your database and run the script, for example psql -f file.sql, mysql < file.sql, or the Run button in a GUI. Read it first, since it will carry out every command it contains.
Related formats
Sources
Details on this page were checked against authoritative references: