Error or Warning Message

When trying to create a project database, the following error message is displayed on the Project Database Utility dialog: 

Execution error: The system cannot find the file specified

Explanation

The Project Database Utility uses tools included with the SQL Server installation to create the database. It relies on the PATH environment variable to find the necessary tools on the system running the Project Database Utility. The error message is displayed when the software cannot find such a tool. This can be caused by SQL Server not being installed on the machine running Project Database Utility, or a path is missing or incorrect in the PATH environment variable.

How to Avoid

Option 1 - make the Project Database Utility work

Install SQL Server

If SQL Server is not installed, install SQL Server on the workstation even if attempting to create the database on another machine running SQL Server. SQL Server Express is adequate and bundled with Promis.e and Bentley Substation. To avoid trouble, it may be best to install the same version (2008, 2012, 2014, etc.) of SQL Server. Installing SQL Server should install the necessary tools and add the necessary paths to the PATH environment variable.

Check the PATH environment variable

If SQL Server is already installed on the machine running the Project Database Utility, ensure the necessary paths are included in the PATH environment variable. Check this with the following process:

1. Go to Control Panel > System > Advanced System Settings.
2. Click the Environment Variables button.
3. Highlight the PATH variable in the System variables list.
4. Click the Edit button under the System variables list.

For SQL Server 2008 R2, the PATH environment variable should include the following paths or similar:

c:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Binn\;c:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\DTS\Binn\;c:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\100\Tools\Binn\VSShell\Common7\IDE\;

For SQL 2014:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\Client SDK\ODBC\110\Tools\Binn\;C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\120\Tools\Binn\;C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\120\DTS\Binn\;C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server\120\Tools\Binn\ManagementStudio\;

The critical path may be the one containing SQLCMD.EXE (highlighted above).

Important: Restart the computer after making the changes to the environment variables. 

Option 2 - Create the database without using Project Database Utility

The database can be created by running a script using SQL Server Management Studio. See Creating and Updating the Project Database for details.

See Also

Creating and Updating the Project Database

Installing SQL Server

Install SQL Server Management Studio