Question: I'm hoping to restore a backup from SQL Server 2008 into a Sql Server 2005 instance. Is there a way to have Sql 2008 back up in a format that 2005 will understand?

Answer: 
Not as a backup (natively).

I know of three options to get an MSSQL2008 database into MSSQL2005, though.

1) Third-party software. The DBAs here love [Redgate](http://www.red-gate.com/products/sql-development/sql-data-compare/).

2) Scripts. An example of which [can be found here](http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic584539-357-2.aspx#bm1277177), and is [mostly] included below.

1. Run the `Generate SQL Server Scripts` wizard in SQL Server Management Studio by right clicking on the database and selecting "Tasks –> Generate Scripts."
2. Click `Next` to get past the initial dialog.
3. Click `Script all objects in the selected database,` and then click "Next."
4. Script for Server Version as "SQL Server 2005" and set "Script Data" to "True".
5. If you are putting the database on a new instance for the first time, make sure the `Script Database Create` option is set to `True.` Click `Next`.
6. Select `Script to file`, input a filename and select `Choose Single file`.
7. When the script is completed, locate the the following lines:

> 
> Blockquote
> 
> 
> CREATE DATABASE [databasename] ON PRIMARY
> 
> 
> (NAME = N'[databasename]', FILENAME = N'[path to file][filename]' , SIZE = [size]KB , MAXSIZE = [size], FILEGROWTH = [filegrowthsize]KB )
> 
> 
> LOG ON
> 
> 
> (NAME = N'[databasename]\_log', FILENAME = N'[path to file][filename].ldf' , SIZE = [size]KB , MAXSIZE = [size]GB , FILEGROWTH = [x]%)
> 
> 
> GO
> 
> 
> 

You will need to amend the paths to a valid path for the computer on which you are moving the database to. You also will need to comment out the following lines like this:

> 
> --EXEC sys.sp\_db\_vardecimal\_storage\_format N'Northwind', N'ON'
> 
> 
> --GO
> 
> 
> 

Once you have made these changes, move the database file over to the other server, and you can run the script in SQL Server 2005 Management Studio to recreate the database there. 

3) [SQL Publishing Wizard](http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=5498). (Read the description, it may not be applicable to your enviornment.)
You can use a tool like Talend to migrate your tables. It has a GUI interface and can work with SQL Server 2008/2005/2000 and is OSS/Free

<http://www.talend.com>