BACK UP SQL SERVER TO DROPBOX
Need an accessible way to back up your SQL Server data to Dropbox? SQL Backup Master combined with Dropbox cloud storage enables you to automate backups and safeguard your databases off-site. This tutorial walks through the complete setup – from connecting to SQL Server through running and verifying your first backup.
Prerequisites
You'll need a Dropbox account before configuring the backup job. If you don't have one yet, visit Dropbox.com, select the Sign Up option, provide your credentials, click Create an Account, and then select a Dropbox plan matching your storage and budget requirements. You'll also need SQL Backup Master installed on a Windows host that can reach your SQL Server instance.
Step 1: Create a backup job and connect to SQL Server
Open SQL Backup Master, click Backups in the navigation area, then select the New Backup button. The Database Backup Editor window appears. Click Choose SQL Server to open the Connect to SQL Server window.
In the Server name field, enter or select your SQL Server instance name. Common examples include:
- (local)\SQLExpress – Default SQL Express named instance on your local computer
- (local) – Local SQL Server installation without an instance name
- Server1\SQLExpress – Default SQL Express named instance on a remote computer called "Server1"
- Server1 – Unnamed SQL Server instance on a remote computer called "Server1"
Tip: Use the dropdown arrow in the Server name field to locate local and remote SQL Server instances automatically.
Click Test SQL Connection to verify your connection, then click OK.
If a Windows user account configuration notice appears when saving the job, click Yes to continue, then check the Run Backup with a Specific Windows Account box and enter your authentication credentials. This is typically needed only once per backup job.
Step 2: Select the databases to back up
After connecting to SQL Server, the Database Backup Editor window lists available databases in the leftmost Source column. Select the databases you'd like to include in this backup job.
Tip: Check Back up all non-system databases to automatically back up any new databases created on the target SQL Server going forward.
Step 3: Add a Dropbox backup destination
Click the Add button under the Destinations header. A window listing all available backup destinations appears. Double-click Dropbox (or click it once, then press Select) to choose Dropbox as your backup destination.
The Dropbox Destination Settings window appears – this is where you authorize the Dropbox connection. Press the Authorize Now button and enter your account information on the Dropbox login page that opens in your browser. When the permission window appears, click Allow. You'll then reach the SQL Backup Master app verification page, which displays an authorization code.
Press the Copy button to copy the authorization code to your clipboard. Back in SQL Backup Master, paste the code into the Authorization Code window and click OK to complete authorization.
Use the Test button in the bottom-left corner of the Dropbox Destination Settings window to verify a successful connection, then select OK. Finally, save the backup job using the save icon in the Database Backup Editor window.
Step 4: Schedule the backup job (optional)
SQL Backup Master can run backup jobs automatically on a recurring schedule, so your databases are protected without manual intervention. Configure a schedule from within the backup job editor, choosing a recurrence that matches how frequently your data changes.
Step 5: Run the backup job and verify
Return to SQL Backup Master's main window, select your newly created backup job, and click Back up now to begin backing up your databases to Dropbox. If the backup job doesn't complete successfully, review the log file for error details.
That's it – your SQL Server databases now back up to Dropbox. Automating backups with SQL Backup Master provides confidence that your critical data is protected off-site and available for recovery. Additional destinations such as Google Drive, OneDrive, and Amazon S3 are also fully supported.