How can I generate an entity–relationship (ER) diagram of a database using Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio?

Asked 3/9, 2015 at 14:54 Answered 14/10, 2019 at 19:8

115

I want to generate an ER diagram of an SQL database using Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SMSS). However, I don’t know how to.

I found this technique online: Making ER Diagram from SQL Server 2008 Database

However, I am not able to see "Database Node" or "Database Diagrams" nodes as mentioned in the first and second steps.

Hence, how can I generate an ER diagram from an existing database?

From the comments, I realize that I was right in my understanding that Database node means the node with my database name. But then my problem is I am not able to find the "Database Diagrams" node under my Database name. What should I do so that I can see it?

PS: It’s not a local database.

Batsheva answered 3/9, 2015 at 14:54 Comment(4)

what version of sql server are you using? – Rapprochement 3/9, 2015 at 14:59

Database Node refers to the name of your database.. once you connect to your server you should see Databases tree.. under that the actual names of your databases. drill into the database you want to create a diagram for and Database Diagrams should be under it. – Rapprochement 3/9, 2015 at 15:2

OK. So, I was right. But then my problem is I am not able to find the "Database Diagrams" node under my Database name. What should I do now so that I can see it. PS: Its not a local database. – Townie 7/9, 2015 at 10:42

msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms189279%28v=SQL.100%29.aspx

To use Database Diagram Designer, it must first be set up by a member of the db_owner role to control access to diagrams.

– Rapprochement 8/9, 2015 at 20:14

159

Go to SQL Server Management Studio →
Object Explorer →
Databases →
Choose and expand your database.
Under your database, right click on "Database Diagrams" and select "New Database Diagram".
It will a open a new window. Choose tables to include in the ER diagram (to select multiple tables, press Ctrl or Shift key and select tables).
Click Add.
Wait for it to complete. Done!

You can save the generated diagram for future use.

Gide answered 24/6, 2016 at 11:13 Comment(8)

Great! Do you @DhaRmvEEr siNgh know how to save the diagram as PDF/png file from SQL Management Studio? – Where 30/10, 2017 at 16:7

Remeber to upgrade your Sql Server MAnagement Studio – Forcefeed 7/11, 2017 at 7:36

@WojciechJasiński sorry I dont have that tool right now so not sure. But you can try "Open the database diagram and right click then select copy to clipboard (If available). Once on the clipboard open Paint and paste into a new image " – Gide 22/11, 2017 at 7:11

Unfortunately after generating the diagram under db name/Database Diagrams from SSMS the only option is printscreen to save the whole diagram, but if you have many tables it lasts forever. The right mouse click menu/Copy Diagram to clipboard command copies only table structures without relations. – Acetophenetidin 21/3, 2019 at 10:39

Warning: this is no longer supported. It is deprecated as of SSMS Version 18. – Funest 26/3, 2019 at 14:14

Right click -> copy diagram to clipboard. Open your favorite image editor -> paste. – Kindly 9/5, 2019 at 14:33

It's also saved in Database Diagram Folder...if u are created and Save – Kazim 27/11, 2019 at 6:34

It IS there in SSMS V18. However, you'll have to expand the particular DB and then there you'll see this exact option. – Palmetto 23/9, 2021 at 13:59

Diagrams are back as of the 2019-06-11 release

Download the latest

As stated:

Yes, we’ve heard the feedback; Database Diagrams is back.

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 18.1 is now generally available

Note: The latest version does not include it

Sadly, the last version of SSMS to have database diagrams as a feature was version v17.9.

Since that version, the newer preview versions starting at v18.* have, in their words "...feature has been deprecated".

Hope is not lost though, for one can still download and use v17.9 to use database diagrams which, as an aside for this question, is technically not an ER diagramming tool.

As of this writing it is unclear if the release version of 18 will have the feature. I hope so because it is a feature I use extensively.

Science answered 7/11, 2018 at 15:10 Comment(1)

download older versions at: github.com/ktaranov/sqlserver-kit/blob/master/SSMS/… – Adallard 17/9, 2019 at 15:42

From Object Explorer in SQL Server Management Studio, find your database and expand the node (click on the + sign beside your database). The first item from that expanded tree is Database Diagrams. Right-click on that and you'll see various tasks including creating a new database diagram. If you've never created one before, it'll ask if you want to install the components for creating diagrams. Click yes then proceed.

Massacre answered 3/9, 2015 at 16:45 Comment(1)

As of 2019-10, for SQL Server Management Studio, they did not upgrade it to add the create ER Diagram feature.

I would suggest try using DBeaver:

I am using both Mac and Windows and I was able to download the community edition. I logged into my SQL server database and was able to create the ER diagram using the DBeaver.

Cotto answered 14/10, 2019 at 19:8 Comment(6)

Could you please share the link to this DBWeaver please? – Townie 15/11, 2019 at 6:54

@TempO'rary Updated the link in the response : dbeaver.io/download – Cotto 18/11, 2019 at 16:0

nice crossplatform tool if you dont have access to SSMS – Fluoro 30/10, 2020 at 18:20

DBEaver - Pretty neat and useful tool, another tool I have used is DbVisualizer - dbvis.com/… – Chefoo 25/12, 2021 at 17:1

Does DBeaver detect the relationships, or will I need to add those manually? – Interrupt 8/4, 2022 at 13:32

Yeah, DBeaver detects the relationships automatically. You just need to select the table you need the ERD for – Mongolian 23/12, 2022 at 13:21

Diagrams are back as of the 2019-06-11 release

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