How to create the ER Diagram for SQL Server Database objects

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sangu_rao@yahoo.co.in - 15 Dec 2006 13:10 GMT

Hi,
I have to prepare an ER diagram for the objects in my SQL Server
database. I have used the option "DIAGRAMS" in EnterPrise Manager of
SQL Server 2000. It is creating the diagram for the selected tables
(but the diagram contains only the table which i have selected. It is
not displaying its depended tables). But i am not able to export it to
any of the flat file like MS WORD or paint. I want this diagram to be
uploaded to one Flat file and send to my customer for his reference.
Could anyone suggest me how to create the ER Diagram for the SQL 2000
database and export it to a flat file.
Thanks for your help in advance.

-Rao

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Erland Sommarskog - 15 Dec 2006 23:01 GMT

> I have to prepare an ER diagram for the objects in my SQL Server
> database. I have used the option "DIAGRAMS" in EnterPrise Manager of
> SQL Server 2000. It is creating the diagram for the selected tables
> (but the diagram contains only the table which i have selected. It is
> not displaying its depended tables).

The table-selection dialog has a checkbox that permits you to specify
that related tables should be included. There is also a field that
specify how many levels deep related tables should be picked up.

> But i am not able to export it to any of the flat file like MS WORD or
> paint. I want this diagram to be uploaded to one Flat file and send to
> my customer for his reference. Could anyone suggest me how to create the
> ER Diagram for the SQL 2000 database and export it to a flat file.

That does not seem to be an available feature.

What you can do is to set up a printer that prints to a FILE device. For
the printer driver, you would select a printer that your client can print
to. Or, a printer driver that produces a format that can be opened with
some Windows program.

The diagram functionality in Enterprise Manager is very low-key. If you
want a serious data-modelling tool, look at PowerDesigner, Embrocadero
or ERwin.

Signature

Erland Sommarskog, SQL Server MVP, esquel@sommarskog.se

Books Online for SQL Server 2005 at
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/sql/2005/downloads/books.mspx
Books Online for SQL Server 2000 at
http://www.microsoft.com/sql/prodinfo/previousversions/books.mspx

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fireball - 29 Dec 2006 09:54 GMT

Uzytkownik "Erland Sommarskog" <esquel@sommarskog.se> napisal w wiadomosci

>> But i am not able to export it to any of the flat file like MS WORD or
>> paint. I want this diagram to be uploaded to one Flat file

I have just imported my database to Visio! I cannot say, if you should like
the effect, for my needs it was not so bad. After you try this your client
may use Visio, otherwise Visio offers saving file as .jpg or webpage ..(I
had no need to do so so far, but why not to try.)

Visioo offers you to choose db driver (exact one or generic ODBC), and you
can select entire db to be created, or selected elements. (If you have more
detailed questions on doing so - you're welcome to ask).

ps:
One problem pending is to provide planar graph layout of my diagrams. (Any
tool I know (i.e. RaRose) don't support this feature really acceptable:
althrough they produce planar graphs, it's still not enough user - friendly.

Did this help a bit....?

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