If you are using an earlier version of Microsoft SQL Server, read Creating Tables with SQL Server 2012 or Creating Tables with SQL Server 2008.
Step 1: Design Your Table
Before you even think about sitting at a keyboard, pull out the most important design tool available to any database developer - a pencil and paper.
Take the time to sketch the design of your database so that it includes all of the data elements and relationships that you will need to meet your business requirements. You'll be much better off in the long run if you start the process with a solid design before you start creating tables. As you design your database, be sure to incorporate the database normalization to guide your work.
Step 2: Start SQL Server Management Studio
Once you've designed your database, it's time to begin the actual implementation. The easiest way to do this is to use SQL Server Management Studio. Go ahead and open SSMS and connect to the server that hosts the database where you would like to create a new table.
This will require using a database account with appropriate administrative credentials.
Step 3: Navigate to the Correct Folder
Within SSMS, you'll need to navigate to the Tables folder of the correct database. Notice that the folder structure on the left side of the window contains a folder called "Databases".
Begin by expanding this folder. You will then see folders corresponding to each of the databases hosted on your server. Expand the folder corresponding to the database where you wish to create a new table.
Finally, expand the Tables folder underneath that database. Take a moment to examine the list of tables that already exist in the database and make sure it reflects your understanding of the existing database structure. You want to be sure not to create a duplicate table, as this will cause you fundamental problems down the road that may be difficult to correct.
Finally, expand the Tables folder underneath that database. Take a moment to examine the list of tables that already exist in the database and make sure it reflects your understanding of the existing database structure. You want to be sure not to create a duplicate table, as this will cause you fundamental problems down the road that may be difficult to correct.
Step 4: Begin Table Creation
Right click on the Tables folder and select Table from the pop-up menu. This will open a new pane within SSMS where you may create your new database table.
Step 5: Create Table Columns
The design interface presents you with a three-column grid to specify the table properties. For each attribute you wish to store in the table, you will need to identify:
- Column Name: This is, quite simply, the name of the attribute. Each database attribute is similar to a variable; it is a single data item that your database will store for each record. For example, if you have a table consisting of contact information, you might have columns named FirstName, LastName, HomePhone, and EmailAddress containing information about each person in the contact database.
- Data Type: The data type specifies the type of information that you will store in each column. For example, a person's first name consists of a string of letters, so you might use the varchar(50) data type to indicate that the column will contain a variable length string that is no longer than 50 characters. Similarly, a date of birth would use the date data type. For more information, see our article on SQL Server data types.
- Allow Nulls: This is simply a checkbox. If you check it, the database will allow you to store null (or blank) values in that column. For more information, see Understanding NULL Values.
Go ahead and complete the grid matrix, providing each of these three pieces of information for every column in your new database table.
Step 6: Identify a Primary Key
Next, highlight the column(s) that you've selected for your table's primary key. Right-click on this column and then select Set Primary Key from the pop-up menu. If you have a multivalued primary key, use the CTRL key to highlight multiple rows before activating the pop-up menu.
Once you've done this, the primary key column(s) will display a key symbol to the left of the column name, as shown in the image above. If you need assistance, you might want to read the article Selecting a Primary Key.
Once you've done this, the primary key column(s) will display a key symbol to the left of the column name, as shown in the image above. If you need assistance, you might want to read the article Selecting a Primary Key.
Step 7: Name and Save Your Table
After creating a primary key, use the disk icon in the toolbar to save your table to the server. You'll be asked to provide a name for your table when you save it for the first time. Be sure to choose something descriptive that will help others understand the purpose of the table.
That's all there is to it. Congratulations on creating your first SQL Server table!
That's all there is to it. Congratulations on creating your first SQL Server table!
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