How to restore to SQL Elastic Pool from a Local Database without expensive tools

How to do this is mentioned in the Export the Bacpac section of this article:

Migrating from SQL Server to Azure SQL Database using Bacpac Files

Just in case, this article goes away later:

“SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) provides a UI for creating bacpacs (under the Database context menu, Tasks, Export Data-tier Application)”

This worked seamlessly for me. I was able to import the databases from the bacpac files.

Note that the databases restored with “full fidelity”:

• Change tracking was retained over the restore
• Looks like snapshot isolation is also retained over the restore

If you don’t have the cash to shell out for RedGate tools, this is a great free workaround.