SQL Server Management Studio Object Explorer Search Add-In

I always didn't like Object Explorer in SQL Server Management Studio, primary because it doesn't have easy filtering for objects. It has build in filter, but it takes to many click to use it. This filter only lets you search across one database, and only for one kind of thing at a time (table, stored procedure, view etc). I was looking for something like Toad for SQL Server has.

Even SQL Server Management Studio 2008 doesn't have it. Finally I found

The Black Art of Writing a SQL Server Management Studio 2005 Add-In article. Joseph Cooney wrote addin that does exactly what I want. Here the screenshot from his site.

Db Object QuickFind Screenshot

His addin has a few bugs, but still it's very useful.

One of most singnificant that before first use you need to press New Query, other wise Add-in won't be able to initialize and you face:

"When ran search windows appears, but can not type anything. After that can not focus on search text box".

However, I didn't close my SQL Server Management Studio for a weeks, so this is not a problem for me.

He also didn't provide version for SQL Server Management Studio Express and SQL Server Management Studio 2008.

So, I took his code, tweak it a little bit and here it is:

I recently found out that Stefan from iucon GmbH created codeplex project based on Joseph Cooney addin. He created two versions of it for SSMS 2005 and 2008. Also he added some new features to the addin, such as search in selection. Project can be found at SSMS 2008 Addin - QuickFind CodePlex project


Posted on Friday, September 26, 2008 by | Comments (6) | Add Comment

Comments

Gravatar

Re:SQL Server Managment Studio Object Explorer Search Add-In

Hello,

Your code works great

I've tested the 2005 editions (express, developer edition and workgroup edition) and I'm impressed!

I look forward to see other searching options, like:
- search only some databases, not all
- search only some database objects, not all.

See this free tool for some great ideas:

http://www.xsqlsoftware.com/Product/Sql_Database_Object_Search.aspx
Posted on 11/23/2008 10:04:47 AM by Charles Rex #
Gravatar

Re:SQL Server Managment Studio Object Explorer Search Add-In

Hello,

This is such an interesting subject!

I wish an official documentation and support from Microsoft would exist.

I would be interested to manipulate:
- the grid showing the table's rows
- the content of the 'Show SQL pane' window

1. From the left, I select a table in Object Explorer
2. I right-click its name and choose the 'Open table' menu option
3. I see the table's rows displayed in the grid (on the right side of the screen)

The question are :

- How can the grid object showing the table's rows be manipulated, I mean how to access its structure and its rows ?

- How can I access the content of the 'Show SQL Pane' window ? I mean that window from the right side of the screen which is 'behind' the grid, which is displaying
SELECT * FROM tableName

Thank you.

Posted on 1/29/2009 11:15:48 PM by Charles Rex #
Gravatar

Re:SQL Server Managment Studio Object Explorer Search Add-In

Hi,

Any idea why this line would fail:

_DTE2 = CType(application, DTE2)

With the error:

Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio
Error Message: No such interface supported
Error Number: 800004002

This is targeting SSMS 2008.

Thanks
Posted on 3/11/2010 7:00:39 AM by Mark #
Gravatar

Check your referece bindings. Make sure that it doesnt have broken.
Gravatar

Re:SQL Server Managment Studio Object Explorer Search Add-In

How do you get the tool to show up in SQL Server Management Studio? Can't find it.
Posted on 6/23/2010 1:59:59 PM by Kevin #
Gravatar

Try to use this one:
http://ssmsaddins.codeplex.com/releases/view/19122

Shortcut is Ctrl+Shift+F
Gravatar

Re:SQL Server Management Studio Object Explorer Search Add-In

_DTE2 = CType(application, DTE2)

needs to be

public void OnConnection(object application, ext_ConnectMode connectMode, object addInInst, ref Array custom)
{
_addInInstance = (AddIn)addInInst;
_applicationObject = _addInInstance.DTE as DTE2;
Posted on 10/9/2010 4:53:25 PM by Graham #
Gravatar

Re:SQL Server Management Studio Object Explorer Search Add-In

Great tool! However i am using sql 2008 R2 and during loading the addin when starting sql, i get error message that this interface is not supported.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Bendo
Posted on 1/19/2011 5:38:55 AM by Bendo #
Gravatar

Sorry, I don't know what causing it.

New Comment

Your Name:
Email (for internal use only):
Comment:
 
Code above:

Categories

Recent Tweets

Valid HTML5