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The TRUNCATE command in SQL Server removes complete data from a table in the database. Users often use it in place of DROP when they want to remove every row and column but leave the table structure intact. However, sometimes, users accidentally execute the TRUNCATE command, which puts them in a critical condition and compels them to restore the table after TRUNCATE in SQL.
Is it Possible to Retrieve Truncated Table in SQL Server?
Yes, you can recover the truncated data in SQL Server database. However, many users believe that it is not possible. Certain individuals state that since TRUNCATE is a DDL command, a database rollback cannot be done. Now, you might wonder what a DDL command is.
SQL Server commands are divided into certain categories, such as DDL, DML, DQL, DCL, and TCL. The TRUNCATE commands fall into the DDL (Data Definition Language) category. Another command used to remove table data, DELETE, comes under the DML category.
The nature of the TRUNCATE and DELETE commands often raises the question of whether they are the same. The answer to this is NO; they are different. Both TRUNCATE and DELETE removes table data but in their own unique way.
Now that we know you can recover data after TRUNCATE command. Let’s see different methods to recover table after TRUNCATE command in SQL.
How to Restore truncated Table in SQL Server?
Our DBA expert has analyzed and tested different ways and come up with 3 ways to safely recover SQL Server all data objects like table. Let’s go through each one by one:
Method 1: With SQL ROLLBACK command
The simplest way to restore truncated data or an entire table is with a ROLLBACK command. However, this method will only work if you have run the TRUNCATE command in transaction. Let’s understand this with an example:
Step 1: Create a temporary database and a table. Insert some dummy values into the table.
CREATE DATABASE TestDB
USE TestDB
CREATE TABLE TestTable (ID INT)
INSERT INTO TestTable (ID)
VALUES (1), (2), (3)
SELECT * FROM TestTable
Step 2: TRUNCATE the table in a transaction with BEGIN TRAN keyword and check if data is removed with SELECT command.
BEGIN TRAN
SELECT * FROM TestTable
Step 3: Now roll back the transaction and check if data is restored.
ROLLBACK TRAN
SELECT * FROM TestTable
This way, you can safely retrieve truncated table in SQL Server database. But this is possible only when the user executes TRUNCATE in transactions. What would you do if this was not the case with you? Worry not. The next method will answer the question how to recover truncated table in SQL Server database without ROLLBACK command.
Method 2: Restore SQL Database
Another way to get back your data is to restore database from a backup manually to the time when the user has not run the TRUNCATE command. The steps to do so are as follows:
Step 1: Open the SQL Server Management Studio software.
Step 2: Right-click Database and select Restore Database.
Step 3: Select the database, specify the destination, and click OK.
Step 4: When the recovery is complete, view the data with the Select command with the table name.
Restoring the database to an earlier point in time will remove any data inserted after the backup was created. This means that if you restore the database to a date like 21 March 2024, then any data that user inserts after 21 March will be lost.
Method 3: Restore Table after TRUNCATE in SQL with an automated tool
If you cannot afford to lose data with database restore and a ROLLBACK is not available. Then, to recover your truncated data safely, we recommend to use a professional tool – Kernel for SQL Database Recovery. The automated SQL recovery tool bypasses all the limitations of the above two manual methods. With its user-friendly interface, you can easily complete the complex SQL recovery process.
Unique features of the SQL Database Recovery tool:
- Preserves complete data integrity & original file/folder structure.
- Easily recover deleted SQL table records.
- NO database size restriction.
- Preview recovered database components
- Dual scan modes – Standard and Advanced Scan.
Conclusion
To retrieve truncated table in SQL Server, you must be familiar with the working of SQL commands. We recommend users perform TRUCATE in the transaction to allow data rollback. Also, keep in mind database restoration may result in loss of information. Consult an expert DBA or use professional tools like Kernel for SQL Database Recovery for safe data restoration.
FAQs
Q. Is it possible to recover truncated table in SQL Server?
A. Yes, you can. With SQL ROLLBACK command and database backup, truncated data can be retrieved.
Q. Is TRUNCATE the same as DELETE and DROP?
A. No, they are different. TRUNCATE deletes complete data from a table, while DELETE only removes data if the condition defined with WHERE clause is fulfilled. DROP removes the table from the database, not just the rows.
Q. How to restore database in SQL Server?
A. To restore a database, open SQL Server Management Studio. Right-click on Databases option in the left pane and select Restore database. Select the database to restore and begin the restoration process.