How to read MS SQL backup file on Mac

I am an IT guy in an all Mac school and our SIS has provided a backup of our data but it is a MS SQL backup file. All I want to do is read it. Are there any good apps for reading MS SQL backup files on mac? Thanks!

You can see that I selected the correct answer below, but for the future reader, it was this step by step article that walked me through it and made the whole things easy:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/linux/tutorial-restore-backup-in-sql-server-container?view=sql-server-ver15

Solution 1:

If you have or install Docker on your Mac, you can install Microsoft SQL Server in Docker from:

https://hub.docker.com/_/microsoft-mssql-server

When you have the server running locally, you can install the free Azure Data Studio for macOS from here:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/azure-data-studio/download-azure-data-studio?view=sql-server-ver15

That is a graphical tool that will let you for example restore the backup file you have received. You can then export the data in the format you need to continue working with it with other tools.

Solution 2:

No. Beg, borrow or rent a MS SQL and next time have them export in SQL text or work with you on a better format.

Since they want you to read the data, I would see if you can use this awesome Mac app to just connect and run your report, look or export to a better format using Mac native tools.

• https://www.sqlprostudio.com/

If that fails, the fastest and cheapest avenue to MS SQL is a $200 free trial in azure. https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/free/

Also, you can manage sql directly from Mac with Code. This might help reading the dumps or csv

• https://code.visualstudio.com/

Hopefully someone will have a better recommendation, but Azure is super cost effective as you can power off the VM as soon as you’re done and the storage costs are very reasonable once you export the data to a storage bucket. Hopefully your time budget is high even though your funds budget is low.