Documentation
Installation guides, how-tos and fixes, per product.
Virtual Folders for SSMS
Installation guides, how-tos and fixes for the SSMS add-in.
Installation
- Install Virtual Folders on SSMS v22
Step by step: install the Virtual Folders add-in in SQL Server Management Studio 22. Unblock the zip, extract it into the Extensions folder, restart SSMS.
- Install Virtual Folders on SSMS v21
Step by step: install the Virtual Folders add-in in SQL Server Management Studio 21. Unblock the zip, extract it into the Extensions folder, restart SSMS.
- Install Virtual Folders on SSMS v20
Step by step: install the Virtual Folders add-in in SQL Server Management Studio 20. Unblock the zip, extract it into the Extensions folder, restart SSMS.
How-to
- Group databases into folders in SSMS Object Explorer
SSMS shows every database in one long list. Group databases, tables and jobs into your own folders in the Object Explorer with the Virtual Folders add-in.
- Add Virtual Folders
Create a virtual folder in the SSMS Object Explorer, choose which databases, tables or jobs it shows, and decide who can see it.
- Why is it called Virtual Folders?
Virtual folders exist only inside SSMS. Nothing changes on your SQL Server; the folders are kept in a table you choose.
- How Virtual Folder Persistence works
Virtual folders are kept in tempdb by default and are lost when SQL Server restarts. Store them in a database of your choice instead.
- What is (Click here to filter)?
Use (Click here to filter) in the SSMS Object Explorer: type several names separated by ;, use % and _ as wildcards, or switch the box off.
- Special SQL Agent Folders
Predefined SQL Server Agent folders for disabled, replication and Reporting Services jobs.
Troubleshooting
- Error loading property page
The Options page shows "Error loading property page". The files were blocked by Windows.
- Error: Cannot open database...VFP02x
Fixes the Virtual Folders error Cannot open database ... VFP02x, which appears when SSMS shows a database as (Synchronized) or (Read-Only).
SQLTreeo Compare
Getting started, step-by-step guides for schema, data and server comparisons, the command line and licensing.
Installation
- Getting started with SQLTreeo Compare
Install SQLTreeo Compare, run your first schema comparison and generate a deployment script.
- Installer options and return codes
Command line switches of SqlCompare-win-Setup.exe, silent installation for deployment tools, log locations and the exit codes the installer returns.
How-to
- How to compare two SQL Server databases
Find every schema difference between two SQL Server databases: tables, columns, indexes, procedures and permissions. A T-SQL check and the full comparison.
- Compare table data between two SQL Server databases
Find the rows that differ between two SQL Server databases: missing rows, extra rows and changed values. With EXCEPT in T-SQL, or for all tables at once.
- Compare the configuration of two SQL Server instances
Compare sp_configure settings, trace flags, logins, Agent jobs, Database Mail and database options between two SQL Server instances, and script the differences.
- Compare SQL Agent jobs and logins between two servers
Check that two SQL Server instances have the same Agent jobs, operators and logins, for example availability group replicas, and script what is missing.
- Detect schema drift in a CI pipeline
Fail a build or raise an alert when a SQL Server database drifts from its reference, with the sqlcompare command line in GitHub Actions or Azure DevOps.
- SQLTreeo Compare command line
Run schema, server and data comparisons from CI pipelines with the sqlcompare command.
- Trial and licensing
How the 30-day trial works, what stays free afterwards and how to activate a license key for SQLTreeo Compare.
Troubleshooting
- Diagnostics and logging
Environment variables that turn on timing logs, stack traces and other diagnostics.
SQLTreeo Job Timeline
Getting started, adding many servers, permissions, availability groups, licensing and the diagnostics report.
Installation
- Getting started
Install SQLTreeo Job Timeline, add your first SQL Server instance and find your way in the seven views of its Agent jobs.
- Installer options and return codes
Switches of JobTimeline-win-Setup.exe, silent installation for deployment tools and the Microsoft Store, log locations and the installer exit codes.
How-to
- Add many servers at once
Add tens or hundreds of SQL Server instances in one run: from a list or file, a Central Management Server, SSMS, the network or availability groups.
- Find overlapping SQL Server Agent jobs
Find SQL Server Agent jobs that run at the same time: a T-SQL query on msdb for one server, and the Rhythm view of SQLTreeo Job Timeline for all servers.
- Find SQL Server Agent jobs that run longer than usual
Find SQL Server Agent jobs that take longer than usual: a T-SQL query on msdb, and the baseline rule SQLTreeo Job Timeline uses for every job.
- Jobs in availability groups
How availability group jobs are shown and compared: instance jobs per replica with its role, the Replicas view, contained groups and failovers.
- Trial and licensing
How the 30-day trial of SQLTreeo Job Timeline works, what stays free afterwards, and how to activate a purchased license key.
Reference
- Permissions and what is read
What is read from a SQL Server instance, the permissions that takes, a script for a dedicated read-only login, and what stays on your computer.
- Job history, baselines and long runs
Why SQL Server Agent keeps little job history, what the local archive holds, and the exact rule that decides when a run is long.
Troubleshooting
- The diagnostics report
The plain-text diagnostics report: where it is, what is in it, what is never in it, replacing names by placeholders, and how to send it.