Important Update
Azure Data Studio is officially retiring on February 28, 2026. Microsoft recommends migrating to Visual Studio Code (VS Code) for a more modern, robust, and integrated SQL development experience.
Why Retire Azure Data Studio?
The decision to retire Azure Data Studio comes from a desire to simplify the SQL development experience and focus innovation on one powerful platform—Visual Studio Code.
Key Reasons:
- Consolidation of tools reduces duplication and accelerates feature delivery.
- Enhanced developer experience through a single platform with deeper integration and advanced features.
Benefits of Migrating to Visual Studio Code
A Modern Development Environment
- Widely adopted and loved by developers around the world.
- Lightweight, fast, and extensible.
- Backed by an active open-source community and frequent updates.
Comprehensive Feature Set
- Improved Query Execution: Faster, more reliable, and packed with better filtering options.
- Modern Schema Management: Visual tools to design and manage your database.
- CI/CD Integration: Built-in support for DevOps and automated deployments.
- Smarter Editing Experience: Intenseness, error highlighting, and an updated query editor.
Cross-Platform Support
- Just like Azure Data Studio, VS Code works on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Streamlined Workflows
- Effortless integration with Azure.
- Live Share for real-time team collaboration.
- Thousands of extensions to customize your environment.
Migration Plan
If you’ve been using Azure Data Studio, the good news is: migrating is smooth and straightforward.
Steps to Migrate
Download Visual Studio Code from the official website.
Install the MSSQL Extension from the VS Code Marketplace.
Open Your Existing SQL Projects — no manual migration needed.
Explore New Capabilities:
- Advanced schema tools
- DevOps workflows
- More integrations via extensions
Replacement Tools & Extensions
Here’s a quick reference to what replaces key Azure Data Studio extensions:
| Azure Data Studio Extension | Functionality | Recommended Replacement |
| SQL Server Agent | Job management | SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) |
| SQL Server Profiler | Monitoring | SSMS |
| Flat-file import | .txt/.csv import | PowerShell / MSSQL Extension (in dev) |
| DACPAC Import/Export | Database packaging | SqlPackage / MSSQL Extension |
| SQL Projects | Manage deployments | Fully supported in MSSQL Extension |
💡 Note: SQL Server Schema Compare, Flat-file import, and other tools are actively being developed in the MSSQL extension.
Final Thoughts
The retirement of Azure Data Studio marks a new chapter in SQL development. With Visual Studio Code, developers gain a unified, modern environment that evolves with today’s data and cloud-first workflows.
Start migrating today to stay ahead and unlock new possibilities in your SQL journey!
