Server view and object explorer
The sidebar on the left shows the open connections, each with every database on its server below it.
Databases
- Filter databases… narrows the list, handy on servers with many databases.
- The system databases (
master,model,msdb,tempdb) are grouped under System databases. - Greyed-out databases are offline, being restored, or your login has no access. They cannot be expanded.
- Several databases can be expanded at once. NovaSql remembers which ones were open.
The database you clicked last is the target for new query tabs. Tabs that are already open keep their database.
Right-clicking a database
| Entry | Effect |
|---|---|
| New query | empty tab on this database |
| New table | opens the table designer |
| New view, New stored procedure, New scalar function, New table-valued function | opens a template in a new tab |
| Refresh | reloads the objects |
Right-clicking the connection itself offers New query on its active database.
The object explorer
An expanded database shows its objects in groups:
- Tables, Views, Procedures
- Functions: table-valued, scalar-valued and aggregate functions
- Service Broker: message types, contracts, queues, services, routes, remote service bindings and broker priorities
The + on a group opens a template for a new object of that kind. More in Creating and changing objects.
Filtering
Two filters cut large databases down to what matters:
- Filter schemas...: select one or more schemas. Which ones are preselected is set by Default schemas in explorer, see Settings.
- Filter objects…: type part of a name, e.g.
customer. The filter applies to every group.
Right-clicking an object
Tables: SELECT TOP 100, SELECT COUNT(*), Edit table, Rename, Move to schema, Create new table, Drop table.
Views: Show, Edit, SELECT TOP 100, SELECT COUNT(*), Move to schema, Create view.
Procedures: Show, Edit, Generate EXEC (a call with all parameters), Move to schema, Create procedure.
Functions: Show, Edit, Move to schema.
Service Broker objects: Show definition, for queues also Show contents (TOP 100), and delete.
Show opens the definition read-only, Edit as an editable script in a new tab. The database only changes once you run the script.