Design databases with Database Designer

Last modified: June 2, 2025

This section describes how to visually design and manage database structures using the Database Designer. It covers creating and editing database diagrams, adding and modifying objects, working with table relationships, and customizing layout and appearance. Additional topics include exporting, printing, and restoring diagrams, as well as configuring display options and relation notations. The designer provides a visual approach to database modeling that supports clarity, documentation, and collaboration.

In this section

Set up a database diagram

Create a database diagram from a SQL Server database

Add database objects to the diagram

Work with relations

Manage elements on diagrams

Navigate a database diagram

Diagram shapes and layout

Save and restore a diagram

Export a diagram

Print a diagram

Manage database objects on a diagram

Set diagram options

Relation notations

Search text on a database diagram