SQL Server 2014 Management Studio - updated support for the latest Azure SQL Database Update V12 (preview)

We are excited to announce enhanced SQL Server 2014 Management Studio (SSMS) support for Azure SQL database including the latest SQL Database Update V12 (preview). Bringing this functionality into SSMS provides an easy way to discover and better leverage cloud capabilities in a familiar environment. Available for download now, this functionality is being delivered via the SQL Server CU5 update.

 

What’s New

We’ve enabled a variety of scenarios to fill some existing gaps in our Azure SQL database experience. These range from added support for the Database Properties dialog and Table Designer to command availability in the Object Explorer. Additionally, the Import Export and Deploy to Azure wizards have be extended to support the latest SQL Database Update V12 (preview). Let’s take a look at some
of the things we’ve brought into this update.

 

Database Property Dialog

The properties dialog has been extended to add support for the performance model for Azure SQL Database. You can now view and change your Service Tiers (Editions) as well as Performance Levels (Service Level Objectives). For more details on the performance model, see Performance Levels and Service Tiers.

 
 

 

Object Explorer

Several new contextual menu items are now enabled for Microsoft Azure SQL Databases that are outlined below.

 

Table Designer

Now you’ve got access to a powerful productivity surface in SSMS with the added support of the table designer for Azure SQL Database. Some tasks are suited for T-SQL, others for the designer. You can now choose the method you’d like to accomplish the work across a range of platform offerings.

 

 “Select Top 1000 Rows” and “Edit Top 200 Rows”

In terms of utility, we’ve added support for quickly showing the top rows of a table in Azure SQL Database. This is one of those little things that make DBA and development work just a bit easier.

 
 

 

Table Properties Dialog and Sequence Dialog:

Reviewing and setting the myriad of properties on a table is sometimes easier with some help from a familiar user interface. Table properties and sequence dialogs are now supported for tables in Azure SQL Databases.

 

Extend Object Types in the Object Explorer

The Object Explorer has been updated to properly display the supported object types in Microsoft Azure SQL Databases. The new exposures here includes: Aggregate Functions, Application Roles, Assemblies, Columns/Indexes for Tables, Defaults, Plan Guides, Rules, Sequences, Storage, User-Defined Object Types, and XML Schema Collections. This represents a significant growth in surface area for Azure SQL databases – as the surface area moves closer to SQL Server, managing and maintaining these objects just like SQL Server makes good sense.

 

 

Functions and Stored Procedures

The context menu commands for Functions and Stored Procedures have been exposed properly for Azure SQL Databases.

 

Open in Management Portal…

The “Open in Management Portal…” option for Azure SQL Databases we’ve added allows direct navigation to the Azure Management Portal. This provides an easy way of accessing your Azure SQL Databases in the Azure portal.

 

 

Contact Us

If you have any questions or feedback, please visit our Microsoft Connect page. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

SQL Server team