SQL Server Management Studio

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, SQL Server Management Studio was included as part of the SQL Server installer. Back then, upgrading SSMS was not only a technical problem, but a political one too. Organizations would say things like, “Sorry, we haven’t certified that cool new SQL Server 1982 here yet,…

Some folks are seeing an ad at the top of their SSMS v22, like this one reported in the feedback site: Today, Microsoft’s using this to test ads for an upcoming conference. Interesting that they give deeper discounts to Reddit readers as opposed to SSMS users, but I digress. Tomorrow, they might be pushing SQL…

SQL Server Management Studio 22 Preview 3 is out, and it brings with it a new Query Hint Recommendation tool. Start by highlighting the query you want to test, then click Tools, Query Hint Recommendation Tool. It slides out a new pane on the right hand side: The maximum tuning time defaults to 300 seconds,…

I use AI tools constantly in my work, so when the new SSMS v21 came out with Copilot support, I was excited to try it. The short story is that the user interface is fine, and it doesn’t feel buggy, but the advice is simply terrible compared to other LLMs due to the prompt Copilot is…

Several years ago, I wrote a post about how I configure older versions of SQL Server Management Studio, but now that SSMS v21 is out, it’s time to revisit that post. SSMS v21 is built on the Visual Studio shell, so it’s got a lot of cool new tricks. Let’s make sure you’re using ’em.…

SQL Server Management Studio v21 added native Git support, making it easier to use source control natively inside SSMS. This feature is for developers who are already used to working with Github to manage specific object changes as they work, and who are already accustomed to Git terminologies like branches, commits, pushes, and pulls. This…

Ever go into Tools-Options? SSMS has a stunning number of options these days. Here are some of my favorites: Documents options On the Documents options, I uncheck “Check for consistent line endings on load” because I constantly get scripts with all kinds of wacko line endings. That warning is a pain in the butt. On…