I use SQL Database Management Studio to connect to SQL Server, to query and modify data, and to create databases and stored procedures.

In this article I will be sharing tips and tricks that will help you improve your productivity, giving you the skills and knowledge to work smarter, instead of harder.

Use copy of your items stored in memory

These two keyboard shortcuts are used by all developers in their day-to-day work. You’ll discover the benefits of these shortcuts, plus get a refresher course on how they work, in this quick tutorial.

There is no need to copy and paste the content repeatedly. In SQL Server Management Studio, you can use a feature called ‘Cycle Clipboard Ring’ to copy the last 20 items you have cut or copied.

In addition to using CTRL+SHIFT+V to paste a clip into a clipboard ring, you can also use CTRL+SHIFT+V to paste the entire clip.

After the first entry of what you copy from Clipboard Ring’s memory contains the desired information, you can repeatedly press CTRL+SHIFT+V, numerous times, to cycle through all the entries in the memory and then choose the one you want to make sure of.

 Tip 2 Edit multiple lines of code in two clicks

If you’re a programmer, you know how frustrating it can be to have to edit multiple lines of code. It’s even more frustrating when you have to do it in two different places. But with the new “Edit Multiple Lines” feature in Visual Studio Code, you can now do it in two clicks!

The SSMS Vertical Block Select Mode feature allows you to select groups of lines to appear throughout your entire text.

To use this feature, hold down the ALT key and then click on your mouse’s scroll bar and drag the text to where you want it to go. You simply select text along following the mouse pointer and arrow keys, typing the entire line.

Tip 3 Fix issues with Intellisense in SSMS

If you’ve been using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and Intellisense has suddenly stopped working, there are a few things you can do to try and fix the issue. Intellisense is a great tool that can save you a lot of time when writing SQL queries.

To resolve this issue, you need to use a simple shortcut CTRL+SHIFT+R to update the Intellisense cache.

In the event that intellisense does not work as expected, this is another handy strategy you can use.

 Tip 4 AutoRecover your SQL queries

If you’ve ever had a computer crash, you’re certainly familiar with the severe aggravations it causes, like losing all of your unsaved work due to an SSMS crash or a system reboot brought on by Windows updates.

Thankfully, Microsoft has a unique auto-recovery capability in SSMS where you can configure it so your work is saved routinely and you may opt to save it overnight so that it’s accessible to you the next day.

This should not be seen as a replacement to saving your work regularly, but can aid in reducing information loss, and may lessen the impact of such circumstances, in the case of unfortunate events.

Navigate to this setting by going to this location Tools Options Environment AutoRecover Picture The setting described previously automatically triggers a dialog box when the SSMS is replaced by an unexpected shutdown.

 Conclusion

SQL Server Management Studio has a number of features you may not be aware of, but if you learn these hidden features, you’ll find yourself using them more frequently.

You should start using these tips and tricks right away because you’ll notice an increase in your productivity and efficiency, and it will make a significant impact on the quality of your work.