How to Restore an Azure Database (.bacpac file)

Azure databases (.bacpac files) cannot be restored from the Control Panel directly.   In order to restore your Azure database, you'll need to perform the restore locally first.   Make sure you've downloaded and installed the latest version of SQL Server and SQL Server Management Studio.

  1. Launch SQL Server Management Studio and connect to your local SQL Server instance.
  2. In the Object Explorer window, right click on Databases and select Import Data-tier Application...



  3. Follow the wizard to completion.



  4. Once the database has been restored locally, right click on the newly created database, select Tasks and then Back Up... to create a normal SQL backup (.bak file).



  5. Upload the .bak file to your hosting account using an FTP client and then use the Control Panel to perform the restore.