---
title: "Open a Trace File (SQL Server Profiler)"
description: Learn how to open a file that contains event data that was captured during a trace. Get started opening trace files in SQL Server Profiler.
author: rwestMSFT
ms.author: randolphwest
ms.date: 06/05/2025
ms.service: sql
ms.subservice: profiler
ms.topic: how-to
ms.collection:
  - data-tools
---

# Open a trace file (SQL Server Profiler)

[!INCLUDE [SQL Server Azure SQL Managed Instance](../../includes/applies-to-version/sql-asdbmi.md)]

This article describes how to open a trace file by using [!INCLUDE [ssSqlProfiler](../../includes/sssqlprofiler-md.md)].

## Open a trace file

1. On the **File** menu, select **Open**, and then select **Trace File**.

1. In the **Open File** dialog box, select the trace data file you want to open.

## Related content

- [SQL Server Profiler](sql-server-profiler.md)