SSMS Schema Folders

This an extension for SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). It groups sql objects in Object Explorer (tables, views, etc.) into schema folders.

Source code, documentation and issues can be found at https://github.com/nicholas-ross/SSMS-Schema-Folders

This is a fork of SSMS2012Extender (from when it was on CodePlex) that adds support for later SSMS versions.

You can download the latest version of SSMS for free from Microsoft.

Install

SSMS 18 and above

Download the latest release from the releases page.

You must unblock the zip file before extracting. Right click on the zip file in Windows Explorer and select Properties. If you see an Unblock button or checkbox then click it.

Extract the zip file and copy the SSMS Schema Folders folder into the SSMS extension folder. Remove or replace any previous version.

SSMS allows installing in a different location. The default paths are listed below. If the path does not exist then you need to find the correct path to use.

• 18 - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 18\Common7\IDE\Extensions
• 19 - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 19\Common7\IDE\Extensions
• 20 - C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 20\Common7\IDE\Extensions
• 21 - C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio 21\Preview\Common7\IDE\Extensions

SSMS 2012, 2014, 2016, 17

The last supported version of this extension for these SSMS versions is v1.6. The code is available by the tag v1.6 and the extension download in releases v1.6.

Version 1.4 introduced the requirement for .Net Framework version 4.7.2. Previous versions use 4.5.2.

Options

There are a few user options which change the style and behaviour of the schema folders. Tools > Options > SQL Server Object Explorer > Schema Folders

• Enabled - So you can disable the extension without uninstalling it.
• Modifier Keys - Hold these keys to do the opposite of the enabled setting. Default Ctrl.
• Append Dot - Add a dot after the schema name on the folder label.
• Clone Parent Node - Add the right click and connection properties of the parent node to the schema folder node.
• Use Object Icon - Use the icon of the child node as the folder icon. If false then use the parent node (i.e. folder) icon.
• Folder Type - The type of sorting to use to create the folders at each folder level.
• Minimum Node Count - Sort nodes into folders only when it contains at least this many nodes.
• Rename Node - Removes the schema name from the object node label.
• Quick schema from node text - Faster but inaccurate. Default disabled.
• Unresponsive timeout - Node sort speed vs unresponsive user interface.
• Use Nodes.Clear - Faster but freezes the user interface. Default disabled.

Known Issues

Not running/No options

This happens when Windows security blocks running of dll files downloaded from the internet. Refer to the install instructions for the steps required to allow them to run.

Compatibility with other extensions

This extension moves nodes in the Object Explorer tree view. This could cause problems with other extensions that are not expecting it. If you do have problems then let me know.

• Red Gate SQL Search - When trying to select the object in Object Explorer from the search results, it will loop through the nodes comparing the node text. It doesn't check subfolders for most object types so will be unable to select the correct object.

Please report any issues to https://github.com/nicholas-ross/SSMS-Schema-Folders/issues.

Change Log

vNext (TBA)

• Added support for v21.

v1.6 (2024-04-12) *Last version to support SSMS 17 and earlier

• Added support for v20.
• Added enabled modifier keys.
• Fixed: Timeout on initial Azure connection.

v1.5 (2023-05-26)

• Added support for v19.1.
• Added second folder level for alphabetical or sub schema sorting.

v1.4 (2022-07-28)

• Added support for v19.0 (preview 2).
• Language localisation for options. (Thank you @micjahn)
• Performance improvements and options for very large databases.
• Fixed: Incorrect folder name when schema contains a dot.

v1.3.1 (2018-10-06)

• Added support for v18.0 (preview 4).

v1.3 (2018-06-28)

• Auto expand schema node when only one.
• Improved performance.
• Added option to remove schema name from object node label.

v1.2.1 (2016-12-22)

• Fixed: Folder expanding wait time.

v1.2 (2016-12-12)

• Added support for v17.0 RC1.
• Show wait cursor while creating folders.
• Single deployable version for multiple SSMS versions.
• Fixed: Folder expanding wait time on single core cpu.

v1.1 (2016-07-14)

• Added user options.
• Fixed: Error when running multiple SSMS instances.

Debug Build

• Added output window pane for debug messages.

v1.0 (2016-07-05)

• Public beta release.