Scripting MSSQL database schema and data

Recently ran into problems trying to export data from one MSSQL server to another. Turns out, you can't back up a database on a server running the 2012 copy and then restore it on a server running the 2008 copy.

To get arround this, I needed to script the entire database so that I could then run the script on the 2008 server and it was actually quite somple, I took the following steps:

In the MSSQL Management Console Object Explorer, right click on the database in question hover over 'Tasks' and then click 'Generate Scripts'.

It will allow you to generate scripts for one or all of the tables within your database. Just running through the wizard without changing any settings will only script the tables and this is where some people get confused.

On the first window, you need to select 'Script entire database and all database objects' then click 'Next >'.

Once on the next screen, you need to make sure 'Output type' is set to 'Save scripts to a specific location', then choose a file name and click 'Advanced'.

If you're using anything older than 2008, your settings will look like this, you need to change 'Script Data' to 'True'.

However if you're using 2008 or newer, the option changes name and section, look for 'Types of data to script' , then change it to 'Schema and data'.