How can I execute a set of .SQL files from within SSMS?

Question

How could I execute a set of .SQL files (each does some data transformations) from within SQL Server Management Studio?

What other alternative are there for executing .SQL files in batch?

Answer 1

Use SqlCmd.exe.

For example:

sqlcmd -S myServer\instanceName -i C:\myScript.sql

or to save output to a file:

sqlcmd -S myServer\instanceName -i C:\myScript.sql -o C:\EmpAdds.txt

Answer 2

While SQLCMD.exe is the best way, SSMS also has a SQLCMD mode where you can execute a SQLCMD script.

The ":r filename.sql" command is the SQLCMD script command to import and execute a sql script file. You know you are in SQLCMD mode because any lines that are SQLCMD script commands will appear with colored (gray I think) background.

:r file1.sql
:r file2.sql