Search for SQL objects and table data in SSMS with ease

Q: What's the difference between text search and data search?

In the Text search mode, you can search for objects by name. In this case, the tool searches across object names and bodies. In the Data search mode, you can find the database object (table, view, stored procedure, etc.) that contains the required data.

dbForge Search for SQL Server is a FREE add-in for Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio that allows you to quickly locate SQL objects, data, and text in your databases.

With dbForge Search for SQL Server, you no longer need to look through the entire SSMS Object Explorer to find a column name or text in a stored procedure. The tool helps you search for data across multiple databases, instantly returning structured results.

Find fragments of SQL in tables, views, stored procedures, and functions
Use wildcards to substitute any characters in a search string
Navigate quickly to the object of search in Object Explorer
Search across multiple databases and object types
Perform object and data search in SSMS directly
Locate table data according to a search string
Sort and filter search results
Configure the search filter

Includes dbForge Search

Get the ultimate bundle of SSMS add-ins

dbForge

SQL Tools

Download the full dbForge SQL Tools bundle – 15 standalone tools and add-ins for SSMS and Visual Studio.

Download for free

Develop SQL twice to four times faster

dbForge

SQL Complete

Context-aware SQL completion, instant formatting, and advanced refactoring for SSMS and Visual Studio.

Download for free

Features

Meet the key feature of dbForge Search

Search for the required data in the databases and locate the table, view, stored procedure, function, trigger, or other object that contains the data you are looking for within seconds. The results are displayed in a grid showing complete information about matching objects:

Name
Schema
Database
Object type
Matches count

Get the free tool

dbForge Search results grid showing database objects with name, schema, database, object type, and match count

Text search in object names and bodies

Search for objects by name across SQL Server databases and get a list of all objects that contain the search string, including stored procedures. You can use various data in search queries:

Text
Numbers
Dates
Unique identifiers

The tool performs search in both object names and bodies.

Get the free tool

Text search in SQL Server object names and bodies showing search results for stored procedures and other database objects

Wildcard search for flexible matching

Use wildcards to substitute any character in a search string and match zero or more characters, a set of characters included in or excluded from the search query, etc.

Broaden your search with the wildcard search feature that allows you to get the maximum number of matching results.

Get the free tool

Wildcard search in SQL Server databases showing flexible pattern matching and expanded search results

SQL fragment search in routines and scripts

Search for SQL code fragments in tables, views, stored procedures, functions, triggers, and other objects across multiple databases.

Just enter the required fragment in the search field and browse a list of all objects that contain it.

Get the free tool

SQL fragment search in routines and scripts showing results across tables, views, and stored procedures

Quick navigation to objects in Object Explorer

Quickly locate the matching object in Object Explorer right from the search results. Rather than browsing the entire database, jump to the object you need in a single click.

In addition to helping you locate the object, Search displays its entire hierarchy within the database.

Get the free tool

Quick navigation from search results to database objects in Object Explorer with full hierarchy view

Customizable scope and filters (DDL/Data, case, whole word)

Choose between the two available search modes:

DDL (Data Definition Language), where you can search for text or objects within database schema definitions
Data, where you can look for the required data across one or several databases

Fine-tune your search by enabling or disabling further search options:

Match case
Match whole word
Use wildcards
Search in comments

Get the free tool

Customizable search scope and filters in SQL Server showing DDL and data search options with case and whole word settings

Multi-database and multi-object-type search

Search across multiple databases with search results displayed in a single structured grid. Find what you need by searching through various objects in the databases you choose:

Tables
Views
Functions
Triggers
Stored procedures
...and other database objects

Get the free tool

Multi-database and multi-object-type search results shown in a single grid for tables, views, functions, and stored procedures

Results management: Sorting, filtering, and grouping

Arrange search results for better visibility and management. In dbForge Search, the following options are available:

Sort results by column in an ascending or descending order
Filter results by column
Group and ungroup results by object category

Get the free tool

Search results management with sorting, filtering, and grouping by object category

Get more free SQL Server tools

dbForge

SQL Decryptor

Decrypt encrypted stored procedures, views, triggers, and functions in SQL Server

Download for free

dbForge

Monitor

An add-in for SSMS that allows you to track and tune SQL Server performance

Download for free

dbForge

Event Profiler

Capture and analyze SQL Server events in trace files to optimize performance

Download for free

Leading companies choose dbForge SQL Tools

Reviews from our customers

"dbForge search for SQL - Addin for Microsoft SSMS. dbForge Search for SQL server has helped us a lot when it comes to searching of large databases. It had helped us in finding specific text and data in the tables and views. The data searched can be filtered for more detailed requirement."

Kashish P., Technical Consultant

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

"Love this product. I like searching for terms and GUIDs inside our databases. Much better tool than out of the box MSMS. dbForge Search for SQL Server helps us identify mistakes and ensure data is going where it is designed to go"

Nathan B., Projects & Applications Supervisor

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

"Great tool to search through your databases. dbForge Search for SQL Server allows me to search for the correct data in many of the databases we use daily, making it easy to get answers in a fast-tracked manner."

Verified User in Higher Education

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

"dbForge Search: Saves All the Time. Super easy to install and use, usually gets the results I need in seconds. It allows me to search for other queries or even through procs to see what tables/views/objects get referenced by different procs."

Verified User in Information Technology and Services

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

"Excellent tools - couldn't imagine not having them now! Tools that I do use - Schema Compare, Data Compare and SQL Complete, Search - are superb, and get used every day. Doing my work without them would be unimaginably harder."

Verified User in Information Technology and Services

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

Frequently asked questions

What types of SQL objects can I search for in SSMS?

Using dbForge Search, an add-in for Microsoft SSMS, you can search for a variety of SQL objects: tables, views, stored procedures, triggers, functions, etc.

What's the difference between text search and data search?

In the Text search mode, you can search for objects by name or by text contained in their definitions. The tool searches across both object names and object bodies.

In the Data search mode, you can find the database object (table, view, stored procedure, etc.) that contains the required data.

Does wildcard search support partial matches and masks?

Yes, in dbForge Search, you can use wildcards to get partial matches. When you include wildcard characters and masks in the search string, you broaden your search and get a larger number of matching results.

Can I search inside procedures, views, and triggers?

Yes, you can search for data inside database objects, such as procedures, views, or triggers. Enable the Data search mode to find the required data within any object.

How do I filter results by schema, object type, or database?

dbForge Search returns search results as a structured grid with columns indicating the database, schema, and object type for each result. You can sort and filter the results by each column.

Can I jump from a search result directly to Object Explorer?

Yes, dbForge Search supports quick navigation in Object Explorer from the search results. Right-click the result you need and select Find in Object Explorer. The corresponding object in the database will be highlighted with the entire hierarchy shown.

How does the add-in handle large databases and performance?

dbForge Search is engineered for fast and efficient search without affecting the overall application performance, even with large databases. However, you can still accelerate it by narrowing down the search with filters and scope limitations.

What permissions are required to search for objects and data?

dbForge Search does not require special permissions to search for objects or data. You need general database permissions to view database data and objects.