SQL Server: Importing database from .mdf?

Question

I have an .mdf file on my local box.

I have SQL Server 2008 Express and SQL Management Studio 2008 Express installed on my local box.

How in the world do I impor

Answer 1

If you do not have an LDF file then:

1) put the MDF in the C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL13.SQLEXPRESS\MSSQL\DATA\

2) In ssms, go to Databases -> Attach and add the MDF file. It will not let you add it this way but it will tell you the database name contained within.

3) Make sure the user you are running ssms.exe as has acccess to this MDF file.

4) Now that you know the DbName, run

EXEC sp_attach_single_file_db @dbname = 'DbName', 
@physname = N'C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL13.SQLEXPRESS\MSSQL\DATA\yourfile.mdf';

Reference: https://dba.stackexchange.com/questions/12089/attaching-mdf-without-ldf