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I am working with an existing Microsoft SQL database that does not have documentation. I want to write documentation for myself. However, because I did not create this database myself, I want to avoid editing said database. This means I cannot use Extended Properties or create new Database Diagrams in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio.

What tools and processes are recommended for documenting an existing SQL database owned by someone else?

(Note: this differs from the similarly named question which is about documenting a database you own as it is developed)

Stevoisiak
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How do you document an existing SQL database owned by someone else?

...because I did not create this database myself, I want to avoid editing said database. This means I cannot use Extended Properties or create new Database Diagrams in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio.

Well you have three options that come to mind then:

  1. Manually document it on paper for yourself
  2. Manually document it in an external tool, perhaps one that can create database diagrams like Lucid charts or DrawSQL
  3. Restore a copy of the database in question, and then modify that copy as you see fit to document it, such as via Database Diagrams or Extended Properties. The obvious drawback with this method is if the original database is changed and you want to document the changes, then you'll need to apply the same changes to your copy of the database as well. There are methods for automating this which are outside the scope of this question.

I don't think there's many other options...

J.D.
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