Error List window

The Error List window displays detailed information about errors, warnings, and messages that occur when you run database scripts. It helps you quickly identify and resolve issues by showing the exact location of the problem in your SQL document.

Open the Error List window

To open the Error List window, do one of the following:

  • On the top menu, select View > Error List.

  • Press Ctrl+\+E.

Message filters

The Error List displays messages from all open documents. Use the filter buttons on the toolbar to narrow the list:

  • Errors – Displays issues that prevent the operation from completing.

Errors filter

  • Warnings – Displays non-blocking issues that may require attention.

Warnings filter

  • Messages – Displays informational messages related to the SQL script that may help with troubleshooting, including the output PRINT statements.

Messages filter

  • In Active Document – Shows only messages from the currently active SQL document.

In Active filter turned off

In Active filter applied

The display count next to the In Active Document button indicates how many items match the current filter settings (for example, 1 of 9 items displayed).

View message details

The Error List window provides detailed information about each message in the following columns.

Column Description
Icon Indicates message type (error, warning, message).
Description Displays the text of the error, warning, or message. Some messages also include a numeric code returned by the database server (for example, 8134 for a divide-by-zero error, or 0 for a general message). For more information about SQL Server error codes, see Database Engine events and errors. 
Location Shows the file or document where the message occurred.
Line Shows the line number in the SQL document where the issue occurred.
Column Shows the character position within the line of the SQL document where the issue occurred.

View messages in the Output window

You can also view the same errors, warnings, and messages in text format on the General tab of the Output window.

Output window

To open the Output window, select View > Output or press Ctrl+Alt+O.

For more information, see Output window.

Navigate to the error

When an error, warning, or informational message occurs during query execution, it appears in the Error List window.

To navigate to the location in the SQL document:

  • Double-click the message in the list.

  • Right-click the message and select Go to Error.

Go to Error

The SQL Editor highlights the part of the SQL document that caused the message.

Shortcut menu commands

Right-click an item in the Error List window to access the following commands.

Name Description Keyboard shortcut
Go to Error Navigates to the location of the error in the SQL document.  
Copy Copies the selected message text to the clipboard. Ctrl+C
Word Wrap Displays long message text on multiple lines so the full description is visible without scrolling.  
Clear All Clears all messages for the current session.  

Header shortcut menu

To change how the window is positioned or displayed, right-click its header and choose one of the following options.

Name Description
Float Moves the window from its default docked position and allows placing it anywhere within the Studio or in a separate window.
Dock Reattaches the window to its default position.
Dock as Tabbed Document Displays the window as a tabbed document in the main workspace.
Auto Hide Collapses the window into a tab along the edge of the Studio window. The window expands when you hover over the tab.
Alternatively, click Auto Hide Auto Hide on the header.
Close Closes the window.
Alternatively, select Close Close on the header.