Maintaining up-to-date documentation for your SQL Server databases can be a challenging task. Whether you have a small team or a large one, keeping documentation current requires constant effort. However, there are tools available that can simplify this process and ensure that your documentation is always accurate.
SQL Server stores metadata about your database objects, making it a valuable resource for generating documentation. Instead of manually writing queries and reports, you can leverage this metadata to automatically generate comprehensive documentation for your databases.
There are numerous SQL Server documentation tools available in the market that can help you create documentation in various formats such as CHM, HTML, XML, and PDF. These tools also provide built-in hyperlinks for easy navigation through your database structures.
Here is a list of some popular SQL Server documentation tools:
- ApexSQL Doc
- Dataedo
- DTM Schema Reporter
- dbdesc
- DBScribe 1.4 for SQL Server
- Red-Gate’s SQL Doc
- SchemaToDoc
- SqlSpec
- SQL Data Dictionary
- SQLDoc
- SQL Documentation Tool
- SQL Help Builder
- T-SQL Source Code Unscrambler
- turtle SQL Analysis Services Documentation
- DOC xPress Reporting Services Documentation
- DOC xPress Integration Services Documentation
- DTS Documentation
- XIA Configuration
These tools offer a range of features and options to customize your documentation. Once you have set the necessary options, generating the documentation is as simple as a click of a button.
While some of these tools may come at a cost, starting around $99, the time and effort saved in maintaining accurate documentation can outweigh the investment.
Automating SQL Server documentation not only saves time but also ensures that your documentation is always up to date. By utilizing the metadata stored in SQL Server, you can generate comprehensive documentation with ease.
So, if you find yourself struggling to keep your SQL Server documentation current, consider exploring these SQL Server documentation tools to simplify the process and improve the accuracy of your documentation.