SQL SERVER – 2008 – IntelliSense Does Not Work – Enable IntelliSense

March 31, 2009 by pinaldave

While I was working with SQL Server 2008 IntelliSense, I realized that it was not functioning as I expected. Even after I had enabled IntelliSense it was still not opening any suggestions at all. After a while, I figured out some vital information regarding how to make sure IntelliSense smoothly works all the time without you giving any trouble.

Given below are four different ways through which you can enable IntelliSense.

1) Make sure you are connected to SQL Server 2008 Edition.
IntelliSense does not work with the previous versions of SQL Server.

2) IntelliSense should be enabled.
There are two ways to verify whether IntelliSense is enabled or not.
a) From Toolbar

b) Go to Tools >> Options >> Text Editor >> Transact-SQL >> IntelliSense

3) IntelliSense should be refreshed with the latest changes in database.
a) Press CTRL+SHIFT+R
b) Go to Edit >> IntelliSense >> Refresh Local Cache

4) Go to Tools >> Options >> Text Editor >> Transact-SQL >> General >> IntelliSense
Select Auto List Members and Check Parameter Information.

Reference : Pinal Dave (http://blog.sqlauthority.com)

Posted in Pinal Dave, SQL, SQL Add-On, SQL Authority, SQL Error Messages, SQL Query, SQL Server, SQL Tips and Tricks, SQL Utility, SQLServer, T SQL, Technology | Tagged IntelliSense | 14 Comments

14 Responses

on May 22, 2009 at 7:02 am | Reply annonymous

nice
on June 27, 2009 at 1:54 am | Reply Clinton Pierce

Not working with down-rev servers (2005) really blows. I saw this demo’d with the pre-release version of SSMS and was sorely disappointed after installing it.

It will be years before some companies get around to SQL Server 2008.
on July 10, 2009 at 7:43 pm | Reply Shankar

Hi,

I have all the options for making the intelliSense work in sql server 2008, but its not working. Please help. Thanks in advance.
on July 17, 2009 at 3:47 pm | Reply Caroline

It worked for a couple of days and suddenly it didn’t work anymore. I tried your steps, but without success.
on September 26, 2009 at 12:03 am | Reply nedshah

After all the above mentioned settings, If IntelliSense still does not work then try the following one more setting:

Verify that the T-SQL Editor does not launch in SQLCMD mode Under Tools->Options->Query Execution->SQL Server->General, make sure “By default, open new queries in SQLCMD mode” is unchecked

Cheers,
-Ned
on November 9, 2009 at 2:59 am | Reply HariKrishnan.K.S

I am able to get the intellisense in the development server, but in the productin servers it is not getting , any settings to be enabled to get it..Please reply
on December 10, 2009 at 3:56 pm | Reply Abdul Rahman

I have tried all above mentioned tips but intellisence not enabled.

any one help

Thanks in Advance
Abdul Rahman
- on January 12, 2010 at 1:09 pm | Reply DJtracer
  
  I found if you need this feature on SQL server 2005, rather use “Toad”, it works the same, but is not restricted to SQL 2008.
on January 12, 2010 at 10:19 pm | Reply Ravi Joshi

Nice.
Why reason why this weird behavior? I would have expected quality of SSMS to be on par with Visual Studio.
on January 17, 2010 at 3:06 am | Reply praveem

nice…

Thank You
on January 18, 2010 at 8:36 am | Reply janvi

i have already mark the options still IntelliSense is not working??? And SQLCMDMode is also unabled.
on January 18, 2010 at 8:44 am | Reply janvi

i have checked intellisense is does’nt woking in production server, in my server it is working but in other’s server is doesn’t working????
could u plz help me????
on January 23, 2010 at 1:12 am | Reply MG

I tried the above mentioned steps initially on a newly installed client, and initially it didn’t work. (It works on the host server).

I think closed Studio Management, and re-opened it. For those of you that try the above steps, and appear to still have trouble, trying closing it down and restarting.
on February 3, 2010 at 2:56 am | Reply Rob

I’ve been having this problem for months. consitently on one server, sporadically on others. I’ve checked and tried all steps above, and everything short of reinstalling, and currently intellisense doesn’t work at all. I have a feeling if I reboot it may work with some servers sporadically again. There’s not a lot of helpful info on this out there yet. Seems like it stops short at “Make sure it’s turned on”. Sorry, I know this isn’t helpful, I’m just venting now.