What is .sql?
A .sql file is a text file containing Structured Query Language (SQL) code. It typically contains commands to create database schemas (tables, views) or insert data, often generated as a database dump or export.
This quick guide explains when to use .sql files, how to open them on any device, and how to share them instantly with FileXhost.
When to use .sql files
- You are backing up a database (e.g., mysqldump).
- You are migrating a database from one server to another.
- You are sharing a database schema with developers.
- You are writing seed data for an application.
How to open .sql files
SQL files are plain text and can be opened in any text editor. To execute them, you need a database management tool like MySQL Workbench, pgAdmin, or DBeaver.
Algorithm details
The file contains a sequence of SQL statements separated by semicolons (e.g., `CREATE TABLE`, `INSERT INTO`, `DROP TABLE`). It is strictly structured according to the SQL standard (ANSI SQL) or specific dialects (MySQL, PostgreSQL, T-SQL).
Browser & platform support
- Direct: Browsers display it as plain text.
- Execution: Browsers cannot run SQL files directly; they must be imported into a database server.
Format comparison
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Readability | Human-readable text, unlike binary database files (.mdf, .db). |
| Portability | Highly portable between systems, though SQL dialects (MySQL vs Postgres) may require minor adjustments. |
| Size | Can become extremely large for full database dumps (gigabytes). Compression is recommended. |
How to create sql files
- Export/Dump: Generated by tools like `mysqldump` or `pg_dump`.
- Text Editor: Manually written for schema design or queries.
How to convert sql files
- To CSV/JSON: Can be converted using database tools after importing.
- FileXhost: Upload to share schemas or small dumps.
Advantages & disadvantages
Advantages
- Universal standard for relational databases
- Human-readable and editable
- Can recreate an entire database structure and data
Disadvantages
- Dialect differences (MySQL vs Postgres vs SQL Server) can cause errors
- No standard for large binary data (blobs are often hex-encoded text, inflating size)
- Plain text means no encryption by default (careful with sensitive data!)
Tools & software
Editors
VS Code, DataGrip, DBeaver
Database Servers
MySQL, PostgreSQL, SQLite, Microsoft SQL Server
CLI
mysql, psql, sqlite3
Frequently asked questions
How do I run a .sql file?
You generally use a command line tool (like `mysql -u user -p < file.sql`) or a GUI (like 'Import' in phpMyAdmin).
Can Excel open SQL files?
No, Excel opens spreadsheets. You would need to run the SQL to get data, then export that data to CSV/Excel.
Is a .sql file a database?
No, it is a *script* to create or modify a database. The actual database is managed by the server software.
Technical specs
- File type
- Code
- Extension
- .sql
- MIME type
- application/sql, text/sql, text/x-sql
- Compression
- Uncompressed
- Max file size on FileXhost
- Up to 25 MB per file on the free plan and up to 1 GB on Pro FileXhost accounts. Large dumps should be compressed.
Share .sql files instantly
Upload your .sql file to FileXhost to get a clean, shareable URL in seconds. View the file in a modern browser, protect access with optional settings, and let others download it without any confusing ads or cluttered file pages.
Upload .sql file