Tool Windows in SQL Server Management Studio

SQL Server Management Studio provides many powerful tool windows for all phases of development and administration. Some tools can be used on any SQL Server component, and others are for certain components only. The following table identifies the tools that can be used for all components of SQL Server.

Tool	Purpose
Using Object Explorer	Browse servers, create and locate objects, manage data sources, and view logs. This tool is accessed from the View menu.
Managing Registered Servers	Store connection information for frequently accessed servers. This tool is accessed from the View menu.
Using Solution Explorer	Store and organize scripts and related connection information in projects called SQL Server Scripts. You can store several SQL Server Scripts as Solutions and use source control to manage scripts as they evolve over time. This tool is accessed from the View menu.
Using SQL Server Management Studio Templates	Create queries based on existing templates. You can also create your custom queries or alter the existing templates to fit your scenarios. This tool is accessed from the View menu.
Dynamic Help	Show a list of related Help topics as you click on a component or type code.

The tools in SQL Server Management Studio work together. For example, you can:

• Register a server with Object Explorer.

• Open a SQL Editor window connected to a specific database from Object Explorer.

See Also

Other Resources

Introducing SQL Server Management Studio