SSIS Toolbox is not visible in SQL Server Data Tools

By: Ghanesh Prasad | Read Comments (5) | Related Tips: More > Integration Services Development

Problem

The SSIS Toolbox is very important in SQL Server Integration Services to allow you to add components to the SSIS package. If you close the SSIS Toolbox sometimes making it display again doesn't work. In this tip we look at what is happening and how to resolve this issue.

Solution

Previous to SQL Server Data Tools (SSDT), we used the Business Intelligence Development Studio (BIDS) to develop SSIS packages. In BIDS when we click on the Toolbox icon it opens the SSIS Toolbox window, but now in SQL Server Data Tools it opens the user control toolbox. In this tip I will describe how to get the SSIS Toolbox window back. To demonstrate the solution I will use SQL Server Integration Services 2012.

This tip assumes that you have previous real world work experience building a simple SSIS Package.

Step 1:

Let's start SQL Server Data Tools and create a new SSIS Package. By default the SSIS Toolbox window is on the left side, you can refer to the below image.

Step 2:

Let's close the SSIS Toolbox window by clicking on the close (x) button. After closing the SSIS Toolbox window, the environment looks like the below image.

Step 3:

Now we want to open the SSIS Toolbox window again. To do this you would normally go to VIEW in the menu bar and then click on Toolbox as shown below.

SSIS Toolbox Does not come from View Toolbox

When you click on Toolbox from the menu, it opens a new Toolbox window, but it is not what we need. You can refer to the below image.

SSIS Toolbox Not Visible From View Toolbox

Step 4:

The following are two methods to show the SSIS Toolbox.

Method#1

In package design window, next to "Package Explorer" you will find two small icons. The second icon as shown below will open the SSIS Toolbox window. You can confirm this with a mouse over on the icon.