Failed to retrieve data for this request. .sdf is not a primary database file.

You might get the following whilst trying to attach a .sdf file (SQL Server Compact) in SQL Server Management Studio:

Failed to retrieve data for this request. (Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Sdk.Sfc)

Additional Information:

An exception occurred while executing a Transact-SQL statement or batch.

‘path’.sdf is not a primary database file.

Microsoft SQL Server, Error: 5171

What has happened – you tried to attach a SQL Server Compact Edition file to SQL Server Management Studio, but in the wrong connection method. Don’t do a connect within the SQL Engine. Go to the menu and do File >>Connect Object Explorer, and then in Server Type choose SQL Server Compact.

Thanks,

Lee

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SQL Server Compact Edition – oh the power at-hand!