Have you ever wondered if a table in your SQL Server database is being accessed by any user? Knowing when a table is used can be helpful for various reasons, such as monitoring usage patterns or identifying potential performance bottlenecks. In this article, we will explore a method to determine the last user access of a table using a Dynamic Management View (DMV).

The DMV we will be using is called sys.dm_db_index_usage_stats. This DMV provides information about the usage of indexes in a database, including the last user lookup, scan, and seek operations. By analyzing these values, we can determine the last time a table was accessed.

Here is an example query that utilizes the sys.dm_db_index_usage_stats DMV to identify the last user access of a specific table:

SELECT 
    DB_NAME(ius.[database_id]) AS [Database],
    OBJECT_NAME(ius.[object_id]) AS [TableName],
    MAX(ius.[last_user_lookup]) AS [last_user_lookup],
    MAX(ius.[last_user_scan]) AS [last_user_scan],
    MAX(ius.[last_user_seek]) AS [last_user_seek]
FROM 
    sys.dm_db_index_usage_stats AS ius
WHERE 
    ius.[database_id] = DB_ID()
    AND ius.[object_id] = OBJECT_ID('YourTableName')
GROUP BY 
    ius.[database_id],
    ius.[object_id];

Make sure to replace YourTableName with the name of the table you want to monitor. Additionally, ensure that you are executing this query in the context of the desired database.

The result of this query will provide you with the database name, table name, and the last user lookup, scan, and seek timestamps. The latest timestamp among these values indicates the last time the table was accessed by a user.

It is important to note that the information provided by this DMV may get reset when the database services or servers are restarted. Therefore, it is recommended to use this method as a shortcut or temporary solution, rather than relying on it for long-term auditing purposes.

If you require a more accurate and persistent solution for tracking table access, it is recommended to create a database audit task. This will allow you to monitor and log all table access activities in a more comprehensive manner.

By utilizing the sys.dm_db_index_usage_stats DMV, you can quickly determine the last user access of a table in your SQL Server database. This information can be valuable for various purposes, such as performance optimization, security monitoring, and usage analysis.

Do you have any other methods or suggestions for tracking table access in SQL Server? Let us know in the comments below!