SQL Server Tips, Articles and Training

SQL Server resources to solve real world problems for DBAs, Developers and BI Pros - all for free. Check out tips, articles, scripts, videos, tutorials, live events and more all related to SQL Server.

Next Webcast - Cross-Platform Database Performance Monitoring

Most organizations have more than one database platform, yet the challenge of finding and solving performance issues remains the same. Learn how the SolarWinds® Database Performance Analyzer (DPA) provides a unique approach to database performance.

Author: John Maxwell and Ed Saenz

Compare SQL Server Results of Two Queries

Code Tuning | Data Comparison | T-SQL Samples - In this tip we look at a simple way to compare the output from two different queries that are supposed to provide the same output to make sure the query results are exactly the same for both.

Author: Jim Evans

SQL Server Implicit Conversions Performance Issues

Performance Tuning | Diagnostics | Resolution - In this tip we learn about implicit conversions that occur in SQL Server. We will look at an example, how to fix and also how to detect using extended events.

Author: K. Brian Kelley

Setup SQL Server Database Mail to use a Gmail, Hotmail, or Outlook account

Database Mail | Configuration - In this tip we will walk through how you can setup SQL Server Database Mail to use email services like Gmail, Hotmail or Outlook.

Author: Mohammed Moinudheen

Create SQL Server Database using SQL Server Management Studio

Database Management | Beginner | Step by Step - In this tip we look at how to create a new SQL Server database using the SQL Server Management GUI along with some database option settings you can use when creating a new database.

Author: Joe Gavin

Power BI Workbooks

Power BI Workbooks | Step by Step - In this tip we look at how to work with Power BI workbooks and in the previous tip we looked at working with Power BI datasets.

Author: Koen Verbeeck

Entity Core Framework Query Types

Entity Framework | Code Samples - In this article we look at how to use Query Types when working with Entity Framework Core, compare and contrast the features and provide code samples to get started.

Author: Joydip Kanjilal

Azure Storage Explorer Overview

Azure | Azure Storage Explorer - Learn how to manage the contents of an Azure storage account using the Azure Storage Explorer.

Author: Mohammed Moinudheen

Find Embedded SQL Server Logins in Jobs, Linked Servers or SSISDB

Script | Login and Password | Search - In this tip we look at a script you can use to see if a login and password is embedded somewhere with in your Linked Servers, SQL Server Agent Jobs or SSISDB information.

Author: Pablo Echeverria

Azure Data Factory ForEach Activity Example

Azure Data Factory | ForEach Activity | Step By Step - In this tip we look at how to use the ForEach activity when there is a need for iterative loops in Azure Data Factory.

Author: Fikrat Azizov

Using hash values in SSIS to determine when to insert or update rows

When you want to load data into your data warehouse, for example into one of your dimensions, you need to determine if an incoming row is either an update – a historical change – or an insert, which is a new occurrence of a record. In this tip we show how you can use hash values to eliminate unnecessary inserts and updates for existing data.

Author: Koen Verbeeck

Create a basic KPI in SQL Server Reporting Services 2016

We are using SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) 2016. I'd like to create a key performance indicator (KPI) to track the status of my orders. I'd also like to show this KPI on any mobile device. Read this to learn how.

Author: Koen Verbeeck

Logging Level Recommendations for the SQL Server Integration Services Catalog

In the Integration Services (SSIS) catalog, there are several options for the built-in logging. These options are called logging levels and they control the granularity of the logging when SSIS packages run in the catalog. In this tip we will cover each of these logging levels.

Author: Koen Verbeeck

Impact of UTF-8 support in SQL Server 2019

SQL Server Data Type | Storage | Performance - SQL Server 2019 introduces support for UTF-8 for data storage. In this tip we take a look at this new option and whether it is something worth considering using or not.

Author: Aaron Bertrand

SQL Server Transparent Data Encryption Alternative Solution - NetLib Security Encryptionizer

Whether you are facing GDPR, HIPAA, PCI, etc. regulations, encrypting your SQL Server databases is a critical component to be compliant. SQL Server offers a few different options to encrypt databases including column level encryption and transparent data encryption with Enterprise Edition. Learn about alternative solutions to be compliant.

Author: Jeremy Kadlec

How to create a table using SQL Server Management Studio

Table Creation | How-To | Step By Step - In this article we look at how to create a table using the SQL Server Management Studio Table Designer as well as how to create a primary key and foreign key relationships.

Author: Gauri Mahajan

Troubleshoot Slow RDS SQL Servers with Performance Insights

AWS | Performance Monitoring | Performance Insights - In this article we look at using AWS Performance Insights to help monitor and troubleshoot SQL Server performance issues when running on RDS.

Author: Sadequl Hussain

Read Excel File in SQL Server with OPENROWSET or OPENDATASOURCE

SQL Server and Excel | Integration | OPENROWSET and OPENDATASOURCE - In this tip we look at how to read an Excel file from within SQL Server using OpenRowSet and OpenDataSource along with the possible errors you may encounter and how to fix these issues.

Author: Diana Moldovan

How to Monitor Storage Performance with a Single Application

Learn how to monitor storage performance for your SQL Server environment with Storage Resource Monitor.

Author: K. Brian Kelley

Splitting a SQL Server Table Over Multiple Files

Database File Management | Table Configuration - In this tip we look at how to move SQL Server tables from one filegroup to another filegroup.

Author: Kenneth Igiri

SQL Server User Defined Function Overview

Development | User Defined Functions | Examples - In this article we look at the different types of SQL Server User Defined Functions and how they can be created and used.

Author: Rick Dobson

Script to Find SQL Server Windows Login Expiration Date

Database Administration | Security | Plug n Play Script - In this tip we look at a simple way to get information about when a Windows Login password will expire from within SQL Server.

Author: Eli Leiba

Inventory SQL Server Agent Jobs for all Instances with PowerShell

SQL Server Agent | Management | Reporting - In this tip we look at a PowerShell script you can use to gather information about all SQL Server Agent jobs on all SQL Server instances in your environment for quick reporting and analysis.

Author: Alejandro Cobar

Simplify Your Azure Bill by Resource Group

Azure | Billing | Finance - Learn how to use tags in Azure to group and sort your Azure resources as well as get billing information groups based on your Azure resources.

Author: Mohammed Moinudheen

Get Column Attributes for all SQL Server Tables that Match Search Criteria

SQL Server Development | Search | Column Metadata - In this tip we look at how to query the SQL Server metadata in a database to gather things such as column names, data types, and other attributes across a large number of tables.

Author: Aaron Bertrand

Find, Analyze and Optimize SQL Server Performance with SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer

Learn about the Query Tuning and Table Tuning Advisors in SolarWinds Database Performance Analyzer to find, analyze and optimize SQL Server performance.

Author: Jeremy Kadlec

Find SQL Server Stored Procedure Create, Modified, Last Execution Date and Code

SQL Server Developer | Stored Procedures | System Information - In this tip we look at different scripts you can use to find when a SQL Server stored procedure was created, modified, last executed and to also return the code for the stored procedure.

Author: Rick Dobson

Create a New SQL Server Maintenance Plan with the Maintenance Plan Designer

SQL Server DBA | Maintenance Plan | Step by Step - In this tip we look at how to use the SQL Server Maintenance Designer to build maintenance plans for your databases and instance.

Author: Sergey Gigoyan

Azure Data Factory Filter Activity and Debugging Capabilities

Cloud | Azure Data Factory | Step By Step - In this article we look at how to use the debugging functions within Azure Data Factory to set breakpoints to help with development as well as how to use the Filter activity within a pipeline.

Author: Fikrat Azizov

Getting Started with SQL Server Azure Container Instances ACI

Learn how to quickly deploy a new SQL Server instance on Azure using Azure Container Instances ACI.

Author: Carlos Robles

Find SQL Server Installation Date for all Instances with PowerShell

In this tip we look at a PowerShell script you can use to gather information about the installation date for all of your SQL Servers.

Author: Alejandro Cobar

Azure Data Factory Lookup Activity Example

Developer Focus | Azure Data Factory | Step by Step - To continue our series of tips on Azure Data Factory in this tip we look at how to use the lookup activity to ready objects from a database or file system with both the Azure Data Factory Lookup Activity in Singleton and Array Mode.

Author: Fikrat Azizov