How do I copy SQL Server 2012 database to localdb instance?

Question

I\'m looking to copy a SQL Server 2012 Standard database to my localdb instance. I\'ve tried the wizard which complains that localdb isn\'t a SQL Server 2005 or later expres

Answer 1

I had the same issue, and after doing a little online research I came across an ingenious way to get it to work (albeit quite hacky). Basically, you:

1. Create a SqlLocalDb instance (SqlLocalDb c tmp -s).
2. Restore the database as you did above (e.g., SqlCmd -E -S -Q "RESTORE DATABASE ...").
3. Stop the SqlLocalDb instance (SqlLocalDb p tmp).
4. Delete the SqlLocalDb instance (SqlLocalDb d tmp).
5. Create a new SqlLocalDb instance (SqlLocalDb c persistent -s).
6. Create the database in the new instance by attaching it (SqlCmd -E -S -Q "Create Database On (Filename = ') For Attach".

And hopefully it should work. See here for original idea.

Edit: Added Jason Brady's correction of the create command.