Run the script against a new database named Northwind .
The Northwind database is freely available from multiple sources, primarily Microsoft’s GitHub repository. Depending on your database system (SQL Server, Access, MySQL, SQLite, PostgreSQL, or CSV), choose the appropriate port. Always verify the integrity of community-sourced versions.
Unlike older versions where it was bundled with the software, modern Microsoft Access requires you to download it as a template from within the application. Northwind sample database | YugabyteDB Docs download northwind database
The Northwind database is a classic fictional dataset representing a company’s sales operations. It contains tables for customers, orders, products, suppliers, shippers, and employees. It has been used for decades by educators, beginners, and software testers to learn SQL, practice database design, and demonstrate application features.
For modern SQL Server environments (2019, 2022, or SQL Azure), the most reliable way to obtain the database is through the official Microsoft GitHub repository or script-based installations. Run the script against a new database named Northwind
In culinary school, students learn to prepare their station before they cook—a concept called mise-en-place . Northwind is the data equivalent. It is prepped, cleaned, and waiting for you.
| Format | Source / Location | Notes | |--------|------------------|-------| | | Microsoft GitHub repository: Microsoft/sql-server-samples → samples/databases/northwind-pubs | The original script. Creates schema and inserts data. | | Microsoft Access (.accdb/.mdb) | Microsoft templates archive (via Office templates) or GitHub | Original 90s Access database file. | | SQLite (.db) | GitHub search: northwind.sqlite (community maintained) | Popular for mobile/local development. | | MySQL / PostgreSQL | GitHub repos (e.g., dvdh/northwind-mysql , pthom/northwind_psql ) | Community ports with adjusted syntax. | | CSV files | Kaggle dataset "Northwind" or data.world | Tables as individual CSV exports. | Always verify the integrity of community-sourced versions
For most users, download the official SQL script from Microsoft’s GitHub and run it on SQL Server or Azure SQL Edge for the most authentic experience.