sqlcmd

Microsoft's command-line tool for querying and managing SQL Server.

Runs as sqlcmd|macOS, Linux, Windows|github.com

Command form

ai-draft · 2 tasks · 12 fields

Connect to SQL Server with sqlcmd and run a query or script file, or open the interactive prompt. Passwords (-P) are left out so they do not land in shell history; contexts and the modern subcommands are not covered.

Opens the form; the finished command lands at your prompt, unrun

Run in Otty

otty gui sqlcmd

Run SQL Server queriesExample values, fixed in this page — nothing here reaches a terminal

Basic

Server*

string

Database

string

Trusted connection

-E

Query (run and exit)*

string

Advanced

Exit on error

-b

TasksEach one presets the form for one job

Run one query

serverdatabasetrusteduserqueryexit_on_error

Run a script file

serverdatabasetrusteduserinput_fileoutput_fileexit_on_error

ParametersOnly these flags are editable in the form

Server

[protocol:]server[\instance][,port]
string

-S

Database

string

-d

string

-U

Trusted connection

boolean

-E

Microsoft Entra authentication

boolean

-G

Trust server certificate

Skips certificate validation.
boolean

-C

Query (run and exit)

string

-Q

Script file(s)

Comma-separated list without spaces.
path

-i

Output file

path

-o

Exit on error

boolean

-b

Trim trailing spaces

boolean

-W

Column separator

string

-s

SourcesEvery flag above is checked against these

docs

-d db_name Issues a USE <db_name> statement when you start sqlcmd. -E Uses a trusted connection instead of using a user name and password to sign in to SQL Server. -G Use this option to authenticate with Microsoft Entra when connecting to Azure SQL Database or Azure Synapse Analytics. -S [protocol:]server[\instance_name][,port] -U login_id -i input_file[,inp…

manual2026-10-27

learn.microsoft.com

Before it fills your prompt, Otty checks the installed sqlcmd against its version. A form that does not match your version is not offered.