SQL Documentation Tool for SQL Server

It's never been more convenient to document your database designs, the structures of your schemas, or your entire data models. Enter dbForge Documenter for SQL Server, a universal solution that helps developers, architects, and analysts automate the generation of customizable and searchable database documentation.

Generate SQL database documentation in HTML, PDF, and Markdown
Get complete overviews of database schemas
View and inspect inter-object dependencies
Include or change object descriptions
Scrutinize the largest tables and indexes
Customize documentation layouts with WYSIWYG-based templates
Distribute database documentation from the command line

AdventureWorks2022 documentation in HTML

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AdventureWorks2022 documentation in PDF

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Key features

Integrated AI Assistant

dbForge Documenter includes an integrated AI Assistant that will completely reinvent your experience of SQL development with the following features.

Context-aware query generation
Conversion of natural language to SQL
Query optimization
SQL explanations

SQL troubleshooting
Error analysis and clarifications
AI chat
Web search

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Easy search for database objects

As you type the name of a required object in the search field, our SQL Server documentation tool highlights the matching text in the object tree. You can also navigate throughout the documentation via built-in hyperlinks.

Documenter generates database documentation in multiple formats:

HTML – Hypertext Markup Language file format is suitable for databases to be published on the web
PDF – Portable Document Format is good for printing and distributing to various systems and devices
Markdown – a lightweight markup language with plain text formatting syntax that can be converted to many output formats; it is ideal for version control systems like Git

The formats are searchable, which is especially convenient for large databases.

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Extended information about database structures

dbForge Documenter extracts extensive database info that includes a wide range of SQL object types, their details and properties, as well as inter-object dependencies and DDL. The info covers the following:

Owners
Descriptions
Properties
Table and view columns

Indexes and constraints
Routine parameters
Creation scripts
Object dependencies

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Self-documenting SQL objects

The information about database objects is extracted from the extended properties of the objects to which these properties are attributed.

Documenter allows modifying object descriptions or adding them in case they are not specified.

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Rich customization

Documenter supports a selection of individual database objects and their properties that will be documented. The tool also contains a rich set of style templates and allows changing documentation layout using various Bootstrap themes.

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Database documentation customization options

Command-line automation

You can use the command-line interface or PowerShell to run routine documenting tasks with a single click.

Additionally, you can save your settings as a command-line execution file (.bat) and run it whenever you need—or automate its execution with Windows Task Scheduler.

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SSMS integration

dbForge Documenter is perfectly compatible with all versions of Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. You can launch it directly from the SSMS Object Explorer.

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Documenter included in dbForge SQL Tools bundle

dbForge Documenter

Starts from

$169_.95

per year

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Key features:

HTML, PDF formats support
Rich customization features
Extended properties support
SSMS integration
Searchable doc
Largest tables display

Save 60% with the bundle

dbForge SQL Tools

Starts from

$429_.95

per year

Try the complete bundle

Includes 15 tools:

Trusted by thousands of data-driven companies

Success stories from our customers

"I need to document my databases as part of the technical documentation for my web software. dbForge Documenter has made it easy!"

Miles G., Chief Idea Officer Information Technology and Services

Used the software for: 6-12 months

"Nice tools to write documentation. IT gives the possibility to write a useful documentation for the database to give to the developer and consultant. I can generate the documentation in a different format."

Luca Mauro M., Senior Chief Developer

Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

"dbForge is providing support in handling and working with relational databases in multiples ways. This is very handy and helpful to use specially when you are working with the large databases."

Pawan Y., Software Developer

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

"Simple and power tool for documentation the Db. Easy to use and many format options are there like HTML, PDF to generate documentation."

Verified User in Information Technology and Services

Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

Ready to get started?

Get your 30-day trial

Give our SQL documentation generator a go during a FREE 30-day trial and see all of its powerful capabilities in action.

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Enjoy bulk discounts

We offer flexible purchasing options to meet your budget. Also, if you need multiple licenses, you will get a bulk discount.

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Need a hand?

If you need any help or have questions about our tools or purchasing options, feel free to get in touch with our team.

Frequently asked questions

How do I generate SQL Server documentation automatically?

You can use dbForge Documenter to generate database documentation automatically from the command line.

After you enter a command with all the required arguments, you can either run it right away or save it to a .bat file for further reuse. You can also schedule this file for regular execution via Windows Scheduler.

Can I document SQL Server schemas in the PDF or HTML format?

This depends on the SQL database documentation generator you are using.

If you are using dbForge Documenter, you can document schemas in both of these formats. You can pick the one you need from the very beginning in the Generate Documentation wizard.

Can I schedule SQL documentation generation?

If you are using dbForge Documenter, you can save the configured settings for the generation in a .bat file and schedule its regular execution via Windows Scheduler.

Is there a free SQL Server documentation tool?

dbForge Documenter does not have a free Express edition; however, it is available for a free 30-day trial. It's the optimal way to explore its features free of charge and see whether it's going to be the best option for you.

How do I use dbForge Documenter from the command line?

Once you open the Command Prompt, you can either write a command from scratch or specify a path to a previously saved project file (.ddoc) to load the settings from.

Next, you can run your command immediately or save it to a .bat file that can be executed at any given moment.

You can also schedule this file for regular execution via Windows Scheduler.

How does dbForge Documenter integrate with SSMS?

When you install dbForge Documenter, you can select to install it as a standalone application and/or integrate it with SSMS as an add-in. If you opt for the latter, Documenter will be available from the interface of SSMS the next time you open it.

What formats does dbForge Documenter for SQL Server support?

dbForge Documenter generates database documentation in HTML, PDF, and Markdown formats.

Can I customize the look of the generated documentation?

This depends on your actual SQL database documentation tool. If it's dbForge Documenter, there are lots of customization options to choose from. You can edit the cover page according to your preferences, as well as include or exclude sections, properties, or individual objects or groups of objects into/from the documentation.