Vitamin D analogs increase intestinal calcium absorption, and have been shown to possess antiresorptive and also bone anabolic properties in vivo. Therefore, the pharmacological profile of vitamin D analogs would be well suited for the treatment of osteoporosis. However, the calcemic side effects of this compound class, especially at higher doses, have hampered their wide use in osteoporotic patients. Nevertheless, the clear potential for bone anabolic properties together with oral availability have stimulated the interest in this substance class, and there is an active search for bone selective vitamin D compounds. After an overview of the physiological functions of vitamin D in bone, this article focuses on the effects of acute and chronic administration of pharmacological doses of vitamin D analogs on bone in animal models and humans. Furthermore, the endocrinological, cellular, and microanatomical mechanisms involved in the skeletal actions of vitamin D analogs are discussed. The final section briefly reviews the available data on possible bone selective vitamin D analogs.