In short: learn step-by-step instructions to rollback delete table in SQL Server. This article will provide three different methods to learn How to rollback drop table in SQL Server and fix them.
In SQL Server, the DELETE/DROP table statement is used to permanently remove a table and all its data from the database. Once a SQL Server table is dropped, thus it cannot be recovered using regular means. However, SQL Server provides a way to rollback the drop table operation. If it was performed within a transaction.
In the following sections, we will explore two distinct methods that allow you to rollback delete table in SQL Server without any hassle.
Caused Behind Recovering Delete Table in SQL Server
There can be several reasons why you might want to rollback a DROP table in SQL Server. Here are few of them:
- Sometimes, a table may be dropped accidentally due to human mistake. If this happens, you would want to recover the dropped table.
- If a table is dropped unintentionally and it contains crucial data, rolling back the drop table operation helps to recover the lost data.
- In certain industries and businesses , it is necessary to maintain the record of all database changes for audit and compliance. Rolling back drop tables might help you to maintain the integrity of the data and ensure compliance with regulations.
To rollback a drop table operation , you need to ensure that the drop table statement is executed within a transaction. In the upcoming section, you will learn how to rollback drop table in SQL Server with two different techniques.
Also Read : Fix SQL Server No Backupset Selected to Be Restored Issue Easily
Method # 1 How to Restore Deleted Table in SQL Server Using LSN
Note: LSN stands for Log Sequence Number. It is a unique identifier assigned to every log record in the transaction log. The transaction log in SQL Server is a crucial co,pontent that records all changes made to the database.
Phase 1: Create SQL Database
You have to run the below command for creating SQL databases named as “RecoverDeletedTables” and table name as “Employees”.
USE [master];
GO
CREATE DATABASE RecoverDeletedTables;
GO
USE RecoverDeletedTables;
GO
CREATE TABLE [Employees] ()
[Sr.No] INT IDENTITY,
[Date] DATETIME DEFAULT GETDATE (),
[City] CHAR (25) DEFAULT ‘City1’);
Phase 2: Insert Data in SQL Table
Using phase 1, we have successfully created a SQL database with tables including 3 different columns. Now see the insert process.
USE RecoverDeletedTables;
GO
INSERT INTO Employees DEFAULT VALUES;
GO 100
Phase 3: Delete Some Rows in SQL Table
USE RecoverDeletedTables
Go
DELETE Employees
WHERE [Sr.No] < 10
GO
Select * from Employee
Phase 4: Know About Deleted Table Rows
Now, time to get information about the deleted SQL Rows by searching the transaction log data.
USE RecoverDeletedTables
GO
SELECT
[Current LSN],
[Transaction ID],
Operation,
Context,
AllocUnitName
FROM
fn_dblog(NULL, NULL)
WHERE
Operation = ‘LOP_DELETE_ROWS’
After executing the aforementioned command, one can observe the transaction IDs associated with deleted SQL table rows. Subsequently, it becomes essential to search for the deletion time of these rows.
Phase 5: Get LSN of LOP_BEGIN_XACT Log Record
Now, it is mandatory to use the transaction id to get exact Rows deletion time.
USE RecoverDeletedTables
GO
SELECT
[Current LSN],
Operation,
[Transaction ID],
[Begin Time],
[Transaction Name],
[Transaction SID]
FROM
fn_dblog(NULL, NULL)
WHERE
[Transaction ID] = ‘0000:0000030e’
AND
[Operation] = ‘LOP_BEGIN_XACT’
Following that, users can access the information about the Current LSN, Operation, Transaction ID, Transaction Name, or other details.
Phase 6: Recover Deleted Tables in SQL Server
Subsequently, it is necessary to convert the LSN values from hexadecimal to decimal format by prefixing ‘0x’ before the LSN. This step is crucial for recovering deleted SQL tables from the database.
–Restoring Full backup with norecovery.
RESTORE DATABASE RecoverDeletedTables_COPY
FROM DISK = ‘C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.BITRECOVER\MSSQL\Backup\RecoverDeletedTables.bak’
WITH
MOVE ‘RecoverDeletedTables’ TO ‘C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.BITRECOVER\MSSQL\Backup\RecoverDeletedTables.mdf’,
MOVE ‘RecoverDeletedTables_log’ TO ‘C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.BITRECOVER\MSSQL\Backup\RecoverDeletedTables.ldf’,
REPLACE, NORECOVERY;
GO
–Restore Log backup with STOPBEFOREMARK option to restore extract LSN.
RESTORE LOG RecoverDeletedTables_COPY
FROM
DISK = N’C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.BITRECOVER\MSSQL\Backup\RecoverDeletedTables_tlogbackup.trn’
ITH
STOPBEFOREMARK = ‘lsn:0x00000015:0000002a:0001’
Now the process to restore the deleted table in SQL server has been successfully completed. If you wish to restore deleted SQL table records, then run the below-mentioned command.
USE RecoverDeletedTables_COPY
GO
SELECT * from Employee
Attention: In the provided code, replace the location ‘C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL10_50.BITRECOVER\ MSSQL\Backup\RecoverDeletedTables.bak’ with the actual path where your backup file is stored. Additionally , ensure to replace the paths for the MDF and LDF files with correct locations where you have saved the MS SQL database files.
With manual methods, users can face several challenges which are mentioned below:
- Rolling back a dropped table in SQL Server is possible with in depth technical knowledge.
- If any steps are misplaced, it can result in significant data corruption.
- There is no guarantee of data integrity or safety.
- This process is time-consuming and complex.
Method # 2 How to Rollback Drop Table in SQL Server Using Automated Solution
To overcome the challenges associated with manual solutions, consider the most effective and user friendly approach – SysTools SQL Database Recovery Tool. This powerful software is designed to repair corrupted, damaged or inaccessible database files. Despite this feature, the tool enables you to recover and preview deleted database objects such as- table, triggers, views, stored procedure, functions and so on.
Additionally, the utility helps you to recover data from ransomware affected master database files. The tool supports Microsoft SQL Server version 2022, 2019, 2016 and earlier versions.
Follow the below mentioned Steps Carefully to Learn How to Rollback Drop Table in SQL Server :
Step 1. Download and run the tool on your system and click on “open” to add the MDF file.
Step 2. Thereafter, choose the scan mode either Quick or Advanced mode.
Step 3. After this, you can preview the deleted database objects in red color and click on “Export”.
Step 4. Thereafter, you need to choose the Export option accordingly.
Step 5. Finally, click on the save button to initiate the scanning process.
Conclusion
In this article, we have mentioned two distinct methods to understand how to rollback a dropped table in SQL Server. These simple and user-friendly approaches enable you to recover a deleted table in SQL Server without any complications or data loss. However, the manual method requires considerable time and effort, we recommend opting for an automated solution for a more efficient way to undo drop table operation in SQL Server.
