---
title: Previous versions of SQL Server documentation
description: How to get online and offline documentation for previous versions of SQL Server, including 2005, 2008, 2012, and 2014.
author: markingmyname
ms.author: maghan
ms.reviewer: randolphwest
ms.date: 03/11/2024
ms.service: sql
ms.subservice: install
ms.topic: conceptual
monikerRange: ">=aps-pdw-2016 || =azuresqldb-current || =azure-sqldw-latest || >=sql-server-2016 || >=sql-server-linux-2017"
---

# Previous versions of SQL Server documentation

The documentation for several older versions of [!INCLUDE [ssnoversion-md](../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] is archived. This article describes how to access documentation for previous versions in both online and offline formats.

## Online documentation

To access the online documentation for SQL Server 2005 - 2014, see [SQL Server previous versions documentation](/previous-versions/sql/).

## Offline documentation

To access offline content for [!INCLUDE [sssql11-md](../includes/sssql11-md.md)] and later versions, see [Install SQL Server documentation to view offline in SSMS](sql-server-offline-documentation.md).

> [!IMPORTANT]  
> [!INCLUDE [sssql14-md](../includes/sssql14-md.md)] Transact-SQL content is only available [offline](sql-server-offline-documentation.md?tabs=sqlserver2014).

## Lifecycle policy

Review the [Microsoft Lifecycle Policy](/lifecycle/products) for information about how a specific product, service, or technology is supported.

For specific guidance on your options for SQL Server end of support, see [SQL Server end of support options](end-of-support/sql-server-end-of-support-overview.md).

## Related content

- [Online documentation for SQL Server 2016 and later versions](index.yml)
- [SQL Server docs navigation guide](sql-docs-navigation-guide.md)