If you are looking at exporting SharePoint List data to SQL server then one of the most common approaches is to use SQL Server Integration Services or SSIS to get the job done the steps are something like:
- Download and install the SharePoint list adapter MSIs from Codeplex
- Create an SSIS project using Visual Studio, in the package drop a Data Flow Task Component.
- Go into the Data Flow Task by double clicking on the component, you will see the SharePoint List destination and SharePoint list source components under the common category in the toolbox
- Follow this long list of instructions to complete the setup http://download.microsoft.com/download/D/2/0/D20E1C5F-72EA-4505-9F26-FEF9550EFD44/SharePoint%20SSIS%20Adapters%202011.docx
THIS IS A LONG AND PAINFUL PROCESS!
What’s more you will need to make changes every time your SharePoint list schema changes.
THERE MUST BE AN EASIER WAY? YES THERE IS!
What if I could show you how to set up continuous export of SharePoint list and library data including all blobs and attachments from MULTIPLE SharePoint lists and libraries in 5-10 minutes? What if I told you this could also keep the SharePoint lists and library schemas up to date in sql server in normalised SQL Server database tables.
Take a look at AxioWorks SQList which is a lightweight windows service that requires no changes to your SharePoint infrastructure. It works with SharePoint 2007, 2010, 2013 and SharePoint online in Office365. It will selectively replicate lists and libraries in a SharePoint site as a set of normalised tables to any SQL Server database.
Below is a demo of how you can get your SharePoint lists, libraries, files and attachment into normalised sql server databases and continuously replicate them in just a few minutes: