--- title: "Start-VESQLDatabaseExport" description: "Exports a backed-up Microsoft SQL Server database. Product: Veeam Backup & Replication Product Edition: Community, Standard, Enterprise, Enterprise Plus, Veeam Universal License This cmdlet provides the following parameter sets: This cmdlet expor" canonical: "https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/vbr/explorers_powershell/start-vesqldatabaseexport.html" breadcrumb: "Veeam Explorers PowerShell Reference > Veeam Explorers PowerShell Reference > Veeam Explorer for Microsoft SQL Server > Start-VESQLDatabaseExport" dateModified: "2026-08-18" --- # Start-VESQLDatabaseExport ## Short Description Exports a backed-up Microsoft SQL Server database. **Product**: Veeam Backup & Replication **Product Edition**: Community, Standard, Enterprise, Enterprise Plus, Veeam Universal License ## Syntax This cmdlet provides the following parameter sets: ## Detailed Description This cmdlet exports a Microsoft SQL Server database to a target Windows server. To specify the target Windows server, use the `TargetHost` parameter. You can use the following export options: - Export a Microsoft SQL Server database in the .mdf format. If transaction log backups are available for the selected restore point, they will be exported as well, in the .ldf format. - Export a Microsoft SQL Server database as a backup (.bak) file. To enable this option, use the `ToBackupFile` parameter. ## Parameters

Parameter

Description

Type

Required

Position

Accept Pipeline Input

Database

Specifies a Microsoft SQL Server database that you want to export.

Accepts the VESQLDatabase object. To get this object, run the Get-VESQLDatabase cmdlet.

VESQLDatabase

True

0

True (ByValue)

EnableCompression

For the ToBackupFile parameter.

Defines that the cmdlet will compress the new backup (.bak) file.

Note: This option is available only if your version of Microsoft SQL Server supports the compression option.

SwitchParameter

False

Named

False

Force

Defines that the cmdlet will overwrite the following files:

  • The .bak file that you specify in the Path parameter.
  • Microsoft SQL Server database .mdf and .ldf files in case they are located in the target folder.

Note: The cmdlet will show no prompt before executing the command.

SwitchParameter

False

Named

False

GMSAAccount

Specifies the name of the Group Managed Service Account (gMSA). The cmdlet will use this account to authenticate to Microsoft SQL Server on the target machine.

String

True

Named

False

GuestCredentials

Specifies credentials for authenticating to the staging server.

Consider the following:

  • If you omit this parameter, the cmdlet will use the credentials specified in the SqlCredentials parameter to connect to both Microsoft SQL Server and to the guest OS on the staging server.
  • If you do not specify SQL credentials, the cmdlet will use the current account credentials.

Accepts the PSCredential object. To get this object, run the [`Get-Credential`](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet.

PSCredential

False

Named

False

InstanceName

Specifies the Microsoft SQL Server instance on the staging server to which the cmdlet will connect.

String

False

Named

False

Path

Specifies the export path on the target Windows server.

To export your database as a backup (.bak) file, specify the ToBackupFile parameter.

Note: To overwrite an existing file in the export destination, use the Force parameter.

String

True

1

False

Port

Specifies a port number that will be used to connect to the staging server.

Int32

False

Named

False

ServerName

Specifies DNS name or IP address of the staging server.

String

False

Named

False

SqlCredentials

Specifies SQL credentials for authenticating to Microsoft SQL Server on the staging server.

Note: If you do not specify SQL credentials, the cmdlet will use the current account credentials. If these credentials do not work, the cmdlet will use the credentials specified in the backup job.

Accepts the PSCredential object. To get this object, run the [`Get-Credential`](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet.

PSCredential

False

Named

False

TargetGuestCredentials

Specifies credentials to authenticate to the target Windows server.

Accepts the PSCredential object. To get this object, run the [`Get-Credential`](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet.

PSCredential

True

Named

False

TargetHost

Specifies the DNS name or IP address of the target Windows server to which the cmdlet will export the database.

String

False

Named

False

ToBackupFile

Defines that the cmdlet will export the specified Microsoft SQL Server database as a backup (.bak) file.

SwitchParameter

False

Named

False

ToPointInTimeUtc

Specifies a point in time within the restore interval of a Microsoft SQL Server database.

The cmdlet will export the database to the state of the specified point in time.

Note: Make sure that the value you assign to this parameter is converted to Universal Coordinated Time (UTC).

DateTime

False

Named

False

UseSQLAuthentication

Defines that the cmdlet will use SQL authentication to connect to Microsoft SQL Server on the staging server.

Note: If you omit this parameter, the cmdlet will use the credentials specified in the SQLCredentials parameter to connect to both Microsoft SQL Server and to the guest OS on the staging server.

SwitchParameter

False

Named

False
`` This cmdlet supports Microsoft PowerShell common parameters. For more information on common parameters, see the [About Common Parameters](http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkID=113216) section of Microsoft Docs. ## Examples ::: example ### Example 1. Exporting Microsoft SQL Server Database Files to Latest State This example shows how to export Microsoft SQL Server database files to the latest state on the backup file. This example uses the backup server as a staging server. ``` $session = Get-VESQLRestoreSession $database = Get-VESQLDatabase -Session $session[0] -Name "SQLDatabase" $targetcreds = Get-Credential Start-VESQLDatabaseExport -Database $database -Path "C:\SQLExport" -TargetGuestCredentials $targetcreds ``` Perform the following steps: 1. Run the [`Get-VESQLRestoreSession`](get-vesqlrestoresession.md) cmdlet. Save the result to the `$session` variable. The cmdlet will return an array of restore sessions. Note the ordinal number of the necessary restore session. In this example, it is the first restore session in the array. 2. Run the [`Get-VESQLDatabase`](get-vesqldatabase.md) cmdlet. Set the `$session` variable as the `Session` parameter value and select the necessary restore session. Specify the `Name` parameter value. 3. Run the [`Get-Credential`](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet to create a credential object. Enter credentials that will be used for authenticating to the target Windows server. Save the result to the `$targetcreds` variable. 4. Run the `Start-VESQLDatabaseExport` cmdlet. Specify the following settings: - Set the `$database` variable as the `Database` parameter value. - Specify the `Path` parameter value. - Set the `$targetcreds` variable as the `TargetGuestCredentials` parameter value. ::: ::: example ### Example 2. Exporting Microsoft SQL Server Database to Latest State as .bak File This example shows how to export a Microsoft SQL Server database to the latest state on the backup file. The database is exported as a .bak file. This example uses SQL credentials to authenticate to Microsoft SQL Server on the staging server. ``` $session = Get-VESQLRestoreSession $database = Get-VESQLDatabase -Session $session[0] -Name "SQLDatabase" $sqlcreds = Get-Credential $targetcreds = Get-Credential Start-VESQLDatabaseExport -Database $database -Path "C:\export\Export.bak" -ServerName "StagingServer" -SqlCredentials $sqlcreds -TargetGuestCredentials $targetcreds -ToBackupFile ``` Perform the following steps: 1. Run the [`Get-VESQLRestoreSession`](get-vesqlrestoresession.md) cmdlet. Save the result to the `$session` variable. The cmdlet will return an array of restore sessions. Note the ordinal number of the necessary restore session. In this example, it is the first restore session in the array. 2. Run the [`Get-VESQLDatabase`](get-vesqldatabase.md) cmdlet. Set the `$session` variable as the `Session` parameter value and select the necessary restore session. Specify the `Name` parameter value. 3. Run the [`Get-Credential`](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet to create a credential object. Enter the SQL credentials that will be used for authenticating to Microsoft SQL Server on the staging server. Save the result to the `$sqlcreds` variable. 4. Run the [`Get-Credential`](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet to create a credential object. Enter credentials that will be used for authenticating to the target Windows server. Save the result to the `$targetcreds` variable. 5. Run the `Start-VESQLDatabaseExport` cmdlet. Specify the following settings: - Set the `$database` variable as the `Database` parameter value. - Specify the `Path` parameter value. - Specify the `ServerName` parameter value to select the staging server. - Set the `$sqlcreds` variable as the `SqlCredentials` parameter value. - Set the `$targetcreds` variable as the `TargetGuestCredentials` parameter value. - Provide the `ToBackupFile` parameter. ::: ::: example ### Example 3. Exporting Microsoft SQL Server Database Files to Specific Point in Time This example shows how to export Microsoft SQL Server database files to a specific point-in-time state. ``` $session = Get-VESQLRestoreSession $database = Get-VESQLDatabase -Session $session[0] -Name "SQL database" $pit = Get-Date -Date "2026-05-25 15:00:00" $pitutc = $pit.ToUniversalTime() $windowscreds = Get-Credential $sqlcreds = Get-Credential $targetcreds = Get-Credential Start-VESQLDatabaseExport -Database $database -Path "C:\Export" -ServerName "StagingServer" -UseSQLAuthentication -GuestCredentials $windowscreds -SqlCredentials $sqlcreds -TargetGuestCredentials $targetcreds -ToPointInTimeUtc $pitutc ``` Perform the following steps: 1. Run the [`Get-VESQLRestoreSession`](get-vesqlrestoresession.md) cmdlet. Save the result to the `$session` variable. The cmdlet will return an array of restore sessions. Note the ordinal number of the necessary restore session. In this example, it is the first restore session in the array. 2. Run the [`Get-VESQLDatabase`](get-vesqldatabase.md) cmdlet. Set the `$session` variable as the `Session` parameter value and select the necessary restore session. Specify the `Name` parameter value. 3. Run the [`Get-Date`](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.utility/get-date?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet and specify the date and time of the point-in-time state. Save the result to the `$pit` variable. 4. Convert the `$pit` variable to the UTC format using the `ToUniversalTime()` method. Save the result to the `$pitutc` variable. Note that you can use the [`Get-VESQLDatabaseRestoreInterval`](get-vesqldatabaserestoreinterval.md) cmdlet to get the restore interval of the necessary database in UTC. 5. Run the [`Get-Credential`](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet to create a credential object. Enter guest credentials that will be used for authenticating to the guest OS on the staging server. Save the result to the `$windowscreds` variable. 6. Run the [`Get-Credential`](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet to create a credential object. Enter SQL credentials that will be used for authenticating to Microsoft SQL Server on the staging server. Save the result to the `$sqlcreds` variable. 7. Run the [`Get-Credential`](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet to create a credential object. Enter credentials that will be used for authenticating to the target Windows server. Save the result to the `$targetcreds` variable. 8. Run the `Start-VESQLDatabaseExport` cmdlet. Specify the following settings: - Set the `$database` variable as the `Database` parameter value. - Specify the `Path` parameter value. - Specify the `ServerName` parameter value to select the staging server. - Provide the `UseSQLAuthentication` parameter. - Set the `$windowscreds` variable as the `GuestCredentials` parameter value. - Set the `$sqlcreds` variable as the `SqlCredentials` parameter value. - Set the `$targetcreds` variable as the `TargetGuestCredentials` parameter value. - Set the `$pitutc` variable as the `ToPointInTimeUtc` parameter value. ::: ::: example ### Example 4. Exporting Microsoft SQL Server Database to Another Windows Server This example shows how to export Microsoft SQL Server database files to another Windows server. ``` $session = Get-VESQLRestoreSession $database = Get-VESQLDatabase -Session $session[0] -Name "SQLDatabase" $targetcreds = Get-Credential Start-VESQLDatabaseExport -Database $database -Path "C:\SQLExport" -TargetHost "TargetServer" -TargetGuestCredentials $targetcreds ``` Perform the following steps: 1. Run the [`Get-VESQLRestoreSession`](get-vesqlrestoresession.md) cmdlet. Save the result to the `$session` variable. The cmdlet will return an array of restore sessions. Note the ordinal number of the necessary restore session. In this example, it is the first restore session in the array. 2. Run the [`Get-VESQLDatabase`](get-vesqldatabase.md) cmdlet. Set the `$session` variable as the `Session` parameter value and select the necessary restore session. Specify the `Name` parameter value. 3. Run the [`Get-Credential`](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) cmdlet to create a credential object. Enter credentials that will be used for authenticating to the target Windows server. Save the result to the `$targetcreds` variable. 4. Run the `Start-VESQLDatabaseExport` cmdlet. Specify the following settings: - Set the `$database` variable as the `Database` parameter value. - Specify the `Path` parameter value. - Specify the `TargetHost` parameter value to select the target Windows server. - Set the `$targetcreds` variable as the `TargetGuestCredentials` parameter value. ::: ## Related Commands - [`Get-VESQLRestoreSession`](get-vesqlrestoresession.md) - [`Get-VESQLDatabase`](get-vesqldatabase.md) - [``Get-Date``](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.utility/get-date?view=powershell-7.6) - [``Get-Credential``](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.security/get-credential?view=powershell-7.6) - [`Get-VESQLDatabaseRestoreInterval`](get-vesqldatabaserestoreinterval.md)