Copy encrypted database views

Question

I need to take a copy of a SQL Server database. The database has approx 40 views that link to other databases, and I need sample data from those views too. Also, the views are encrypted so when I try and generate a script from one of the views this is the error:

Property TextHeader is not available for View '[dbo].[TABLE1]'. This property may not 
exist for this object, or may not be retrievable due to insufficient access rights.  The 
text is encrypted. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Smo)

What would be the best way to get a copy of this database containing data from the views? I was thinking about creating extra tables and populating with sample data but that seems long-winded, so is there a better way?

Answer 1

Encrypted stored procs and views can be decrypted pretty easily:

http://www.mssqltips.com/tip.asp?tip=1046

That'll give you the unencrypted text of the stored procedures and views. Just change the CREATE statement to be an ALTER, and it'll overwrite the encrypted versions with decrypted ones.

Don't do this in production - do it in a restored backup of the database. That way if it's a third party vendor app, you'll still be supported in production.

Answer 2

A view is only a metadata definition (if it's not an indexed view, of course). So copying the database would get you only the encrypted definition of that view.

I think that your best bet is to create new tables with current data from those views and so you'll have your data sample.

Answer 3

Here is one more solution that works on SQL Server 2012. You'll get the body of the view in the results.

Encrypting and Decrypting SQL Server Stored Procedures, Views and User-Defined Functions

HTH