sys.tables only searches one database. My quick stored procedure finds a table in every database on the server and returns database, schema and table name.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
What Is an Index in SQL Server?
An index in SQL Server took one query from 33,517 reads to 66 on the same table. What clustered and nonclustered really mean, why every index is paid for on the way in, and how to find the ones nobody uses.
CHARINDEX Start Position: Find the Second Delimiter
CHARINDEX start position finds the next delimiter. Guard a missing first match, preserve NULL, and extract empty fields without negative lengths.
SQL SERVER – Optimization Rules of Thumb – Best Practices – Reader’s Article
Reader Praveen Barath adds his own query optimization tips to my rules of thumb: tune only working code, write repeated statements identically and more.
SQL SERVER – Optimization Rules of Thumb – Best Practices
My optimization rules of thumb for a slow running query: read the query plan first, turn scans into seeks, fix bookmark lookups with a covering index and more.
Using Synonyms to Simplify Cross-Database Queries
Using synonyms can hide a cross-database object name from callers, but permissions, dependency checks, and deployment still need care.
Drawing a Diagram of an Existing Database
A diagram of an existing database starts with real foreign keys, uses SSMS to reveal relationships, and records the important paths a picture misses.
SQL Server slow? Let's fix it together in about four hours.
In my Comprehensive Database Performance Health Check, you share your screen, I guide you, and we fix your biggest performance troublemakers. No passwords. No remote access.
You keep every script, and the know-how to fix it yourself next time.
Want your whole team to learn it?
My Practical Workshop has no PowerPoint, just live demos. My AI Enablement Workshop shows your team where AI saves hours, and where it quietly costs them.
Over 400 customers have worked with me this way, and not one shared a password. See all consulting options.
Who We Are
Pinal Dave is an SQL Server Performance Tuning Expert and independent consultant with over 24 years of hands-on experience. He holds a Masters of Science degree and numerous database certifications.
Pinal has authored 19 books and 125 Pluralsight courses. To freely share his knowledge and help others build their expertise, Pinal has also written more than 5,800 database tech articles on his blog at https://blog.sqlauthority.com.
Pinal is also a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1) and CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2).
Nupur Dave is a social media enthusiast and an independent consultant. She primarily focuses on the database domain, helping clients build short and long-term multi-channel campaigns to drive leads for their sales pipeline.
Shaivi Pinalkumar Dave is a book author and a women’s artistic gymnast.

