Database Diagramming Tools

  • Hi All

    Does anyone use any 3rd party database diagramming tools that they would recommend?

    Thanks

    Kathy

  • Hi,

    maybe this could be interesting:

    http://schemaspy.sourceforge.net/

    Kind regards,

    Andreas

  • Is it for documentation of known existing database?

    You could use the builtin diagram function.

  • Toad Data Modeler 5.4 feeware is quite good, it allows you to reverse engineer as well.

    [/url]

  • Yes this is for diagramming an existing database. The diagramming tool in SQL Server is a bit clumsy. I was looking for an easier tool.

    Thanks

    Kathy

  • I haven't used this for quite a few years, but back when I was using it, I couldn't live without it. Embarcadero ER/Studio was a fantastic tool for database diagramming. I just don't know it's current status.

    Now, if you're looking to document the database (but no modelling), my company Redgate Software, has a nice tool called SQL Doc[/url]. It's worth checking out. You can get a free trial.

    "The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood"
    - Theodore Roosevelt

    Author of:
    SQL Server Execution Plans
    SQL Server Query Performance Tuning

  • I used to love Visio before Microsoft acquired it. I never liked the direction they took with the tool, and I liked each newer version less. I also do not know if it still exists, I have not heard anything about it in a long time.

    CA ERwin (www.erwin.com) is arguably one of the best modeling tools. Probably also one of the most expensive. I used the (free) community edition when I needed a way to create ER diagrams for a data modeling course, but the restrictions on number of objects and functionality of that edition mean that you probably will not be able to use if for diagramming a real database. If you can get a budget, my recommendation is to first play around with the community edition, do the same in free/preview versions of other modeling tools to see which you like best, then ask your boss to buy a licence for you.


    Hugo Kornelis, SQL Server/Data Platform MVP (2006-2016)
    Visit my SQL Server blog: https://sqlserverfast.com/blog/
    SQL Server Execution Plan Reference: https://sqlserverfast.com/epr/

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