Transact-SQL in Visual Studio Code

Turn Visual Studio Code into a powerful editor for Transact-SQL (T-SQL) development, with the mssql extension available in the VS Code Marketplace. The mssql extension is optimized to work with SQL Server running on-premises, in any cloud, Azure SQL Database, and Azure SQL Data Warehouse.

Connect to SQL databases, type T-SQL code, execute T-SQL code, view results, and save results as JSON or CSV files. While typing T-SQL code, you get rich T-SQL language features like T-SQL IntelliSense (code completion), syntax highlighting, linting, code navigation and code snippets.

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Install T-SQL support

Add T-SQL language support to VS Code by installing the mssql extension from the VS Code marketplace as follows:

  1. Open the Extensions view from VS Code Side Bar (kb(workbench.view.extensions)).
  2. Type “mssql” in the search bar, click Install, and reload VS Code when prompted.

install mssql extension

Connect and Execute T-SQL

Easily connect to SQL Server running on-premises, in any cloud, Azure SQL Database, and Azure SQL Data Warehouse. Then, execute your T-SQL statements and batches to view results and messages - all within VS Code. Your recent connections are saved across sessions, so you can quickly connect to your databases again.

execute tsql

View and Save Results

View results and messages when you execute your T-SQL code. Save results as a JSON or CSV file to use the data in your applications with just a few clicks.

save tsql

T-SQL IntelliSense

As you type T-SQL code in the editor, VS Code provides intelligent code completion for T-SQL keywords, suggestions for schema object names (tables, columns, views), and parameter help for functions and procedures when connected to a database.

tsql intellisense

Linting

Linting is the analysis of your T-SQL code for potential syntax errors. Use Visual Studio Code to quickly navigate to the errors and warnings in your T-SQL code as you type.

tsql linting

Peek Definition/Go to Definition

Use Peek Definition or Go to Definition to quickly browse the definition of schema objects in your database such as tables, functions, and procedures while typing T-SQL code.

tsql peek definition

Snippets

T-SQL snippets provide code templates for commonly used T-SQL statements. Type “sql” to get the list of T-SQL snippets.

tsql snippets

Next steps

Further Reading