MSDN Documentation – SSMS Query Windows

Overview

The Query Window is the core editing surface in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). It provides a rich environment for writing, testing, and debugging T‑SQL scripts.

  • Multiple query tabs per connection
  • IntelliSense and code completion
  • Integrated execution plans and result sets
  • Customizable output formats (grid, text, file)

Query Window Basics

Open a new window with Ctrl+N or use the File → New → Query with Current Connection menu.

SELECT TOP 10
    name,
    object_id,
    type_desc
FROM sys.objects
WHERE is_ms_shipped = 0
ORDER BY name;
Invoke-Sqlcmd -Query "
SELECT @@VERSION
" -ServerInstance "localhost"

Keyboard Shortcuts

ActionShortcut
Execute queryCtrl+E or F5
Show IntelliSense suggestionsCtrl+Space
Comment/Uncomment selectionCtrl+K, Ctrl+C / Ctrl+K, Ctrl+U
Format selected SQLCtrl+K, Ctrl+F
Toggle results paneCtrl+R
Open new query tabCtrl+N
Switch between tabsCtrl+Tab / Ctrl+Shift+Tab

Templates & Snippets

SSMS ships with a set of code templates accessible via View → Template Explorer (Ctrl+Alt+T). You can also define custom snippets.

-- Template: Create Table
CREATE TABLE dbo.[TableName] (
    Id INT IDENTITY(1,1) PRIMARY KEY,
    Column1 NVARCHAR(100) NOT NULL,
    Column2 DATETIME NULL
);
GO

Results Pane Options

The results pane can display data in three formats:

  • Grid – tabular view with sorting and copying.
  • Text – plain text output suitable for scripting.
  • File – direct export to CSV/JSON.

Switch formats with the buttons on the Results tab toolbar or press Ctrl+D (grid) / Ctrl+T (text).

Tips & Tricks

  1. Use the Parse button (Ctrl+F5) to validate syntax without execution.
  2. Save frequently used queries as Solution Items for quick access.
  3. Enable Query Execution Time in Tools → Options → Query Results → SQL Server to monitor performance.
  4. Drag a query tab to another SSMS window to compare result sets side‑by‑side.
  5. Customize the color theme via Tools → Options → Environment → General.