CODEWITHSUNDEEP
sql-serversql-server-2008database-designssms
ThaKidd KG5ORD
ThaKidd KG5ORD

Reputation: 1605

SQL Server Management Studio 2008: save database diagrams without applying tables just yet

Can you create a database diagram for a database and save it without creating the actual tables? You know, so the boss can check it out before you apply it?

Upvotes: 3

Views: 4329

Answers (4)

David Atkinson
David Atkinson

Reputation: 5899

You could use a tool like SQL Dependency Tracker to visualise your database, or you could just make a copy of your database schema and save your databse diagram in SSMS on the copy if you don't want to apply them to the original instance.

Upvotes: 0

AllenG
AllenG

Reputation: 8190

Not if you're setting keys/relationships. When you make those connections in the diagram, SSMS establishes the keys/constraints as well.

If your boss wants to look at a diagram before you make the changes, I would suggest Visio or some other visualization tool. You can provide the same information (albiet with a little extra effort) and it doesn't mess with the DB itself. Addtionally, you'd then have a "database diagram" which was disconnected from the DB, so if you wanted to make future changes, you could move things around with impunity until you got your connections/relationships just the way you want them.

Upvotes: 4

SQLMenace
SQLMenace

Reputation: 134941

No, but why don't you print it out and show it to your boss like that

ideally you have a dev version of the database where you make changes and this won't impact anything

Upvotes: 2

Martin Smith
Martin Smith

Reputation: 452998

No. The database diagram is somewhat confusingly named in that it is basically a table designer not just a pictorial representation of the database.

Saving the diagram will persist all changes to the underlying database objects.

Upvotes: 6

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