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Properties Window
The Properties Window in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) provides a convenient UI for viewing and editing the settings of selected objects such as databases, tables, columns, indexes, and server-level components.
How to open the Properties Window
- Click an object in Object Explorer (e.g., a database, table, or column).
- Press F4 or right‑click the object and select Properties from the context menu.
The window docks on the right side of the SSMS workspace by default. It can be undocked, floated, or pinned using the toolbar buttons on the window’s title bar.
Common Objects and Their Properties
| Object | Key Properties |
|---|---|
| Database | Name, Collation, Recovery Model, Compatibility level, Auto‑close |
| Table | Schema, Owner, Table Type, Row‑guid column, Change Tracking |
| Column | Data type, Length, Nullable, Default value, Identity |
| Index | Name, Type (Clustered/Non‑clustered), Uniqueness, Fill factor, Included columns |
Editing Properties
Most properties are editable directly within the grid. Follow these steps:
- Select the property value you wish to change.
- Type the new value or choose from a dropdown list.
- Press Enter or click outside the cell to commit.
- Click the Apply button (or Ctrl+S) to push changes to the server.
Some properties, such as Recovery Model, require a restart of the database service or a scripted ALTER statement. The UI will display a warning icon next to these properties.
Examples
Changing a Database Collation
-- Using the Properties window:
-- 1. Select the database in Object Explorer.
-- 2. Press F4, find the "Collation" property.
-- 3. Choose a new collation from the dropdown.
-- 4. Click "Apply".Adding a Default Constraint to a Column
-- Using the Properties window:
-- 1. Expand the table → Columns.
-- 2. Select the target column.
-- 3. In the Properties window, set "Default Value" to '(GETDATE())'.
-- 4. Click "Apply".Modifying Index Fill Factor
-- Using the Properties window:
-- 1. In Object Explorer, expand Indexes under the table.
-- 2. Select the desired index.
-- 3. In the Properties window, adjust "Fill Factor" (e.g., 80).
-- 4. Click "Apply".Tips & Tricks
- Press Ctrl+F inside the Properties window to quickly locate a property.
- Use the Filter textbox at the top of the window to hide properties that are not relevant.
- For scripting, click the Script button to generate the corresponding T‑SQL statements before applying changes.
- Combine multiple property edits and click Apply once to reduce round‑trips to the server.
- Properties that are read‑only are displayed in gray; they usually reflect system‑generated values.