Master Data Services Features and Tasks

Applies to: SQL Server - Windows only Azure SQL Managed Instance

Important

Master Data Services (MDS) is removed in SQL Server 2025 (17.x) Preview. We continue to support MDS in SQL Server 2022 (16.x) and earlier versions.

Learn how to use Master Data Services to manage your organization's master data. Learn how to create and manipulate model objects, which are containers for data. Learn how to organize and maintain the master data itself. Learn how to import and export master data, as well as share models between test and production environments. Finally, learn how to develop custom applications that access the Master Data Services web service.

Create Structures to Contain Data

• Models (Master Data Services)

• Entities (Master Data Services)

• Attributes (Master Data Services)

• Domain-Based Attributes (Master Data Services)

• Attribute Groups (Master Data Services)

Maintain Master Data

• Master Data Services Add-in for Microsoft Excel

• Members (Master Data Services)

• Transactions (Master Data Services)

• Annotations (Master Data Services)

• Hierarchies (Master Data Services)

• Collections (Master Data Services)

Improve Data Quality

• Business Rules (Master Data Services)

• Validation (Master Data Services)

• Versions (Master Data Services)

• Notifications (Master Data Services)

• Security (Master Data Services)

Move Data

• Overview: Importing Data from Tables (Master Data Services)

• Overview: Exporting Data (Master Data Services)

• Deploying Models (Master Data Services)

Develop a Custom Application

• Master Data Services Developer Documentation