Options (Text Editor/Transact-SQL/General Page)

  • Article

Use the General options dialog box to change the general editing behavior of the Database Engine Query Editor, which is used to edit Transact-SQL scripts. To display these settings, click Options on the Tools menu, expand the Transact-SQL subfolder, and then click General.

Setting Options in Multiple Locations

Options for the Database Engine Query Editor can also be set in the All Languages General dialog. If you use the All Languages dialogs to set different options for the other SQL Server Management Studio editors, such as the DMX or MDX editors, you must reset the Database Engine Query Editor options using this dialog.

Statement Completion

  • Auto list members
    When this check box is selected, lists of available database and schema objects, columns, table-valued functions, or functions are displayed as you type in the editor. Choose any item from the pop-up list to insert it into your code.

  • Hide advanced members
    This check box is unavailable.

  • Parameter information
    When this check box is selected, parameter information is displayed for a stored procedure or function that is immediately to the left of the insertion point (cursor). The information includes a list of the available parameters with their names and data types.

Settings

  • Enable virtual space
    When this check box is selected, you can click anywhere beyond the end of a line of code and type. Select this check box to position comments at a consistent point next to your code. Selecting this check box disables the Word wrap check box.

  • Word wrap
    When this check box is selected, any portion of a line that extends horizontally beyond the viewable editor area is automatically displayed on the next line. Selecting this check box enables the Show visual glyphs for word wrap check box and disables the Enable virtual space check box.

  • Show visual glyphs for word wrap
    When this check box is selected, a return arrow indicator is displayed where a long line wraps to the next line.

  • Apply Cut/Copy commands to blank lines when there is no selection
    This check box sets the behavior of the editor when you place the insertion point on a blank line, select nothing, and then click Copy or Cut.

    When this check box is selected, the blank line is copied or cut. If you then click Paste, a new, blank line is inserted.

    When this check box is cleared, nothing is copied or cut. If you then click Paste, the content most recently copied is pasted. If nothing has been copied previously, nothing is pasted.

    This setting has no effect on Copy or Cut when a line is not blank. If nothing is selected, the entire line is copied or cut. If you then click Paste, the text of the entire line and its end line character are pasted.

Display

  • Line numbers
    When this check box is selected, a line number appears next to each line of code.

    Note

    These line numbers are not added to your code, and they do not print. They are for reference only.

  • Enable single-click URL navigation
    When this check box is selected, the cursor changes to a pointing hand as it passes over a URL in the editor. You can click the URL to display the indicated page in your Web browser.

  • Navigation bar
    This check box is unavailable.