Shortcut: Using Snippets in SSMS to Improve the Drop Database Statement

In an earlier post, I showed how to create a DROP DATABASE template in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS). At the time, I mentioned that a template wasn’t the best option because a command like this is normally inserted into a script; it’s not the whole script.

That’s where snippets shine. Let’s create a snippet for it.

First let’s open Code Snippets Manager (Tools > Code Snippets Manager):

You’ll see the existing snippet folders. I’ve clicked Add, then created a new folder called GL_Snippets.

Next I’ve created a file called DropDatabase.snippet on my desktop folder:

I then opened that file using SSMS:

Note that SSMS has a perfectly good XML editor. I’ve then used it to create the snippet file and saved it:

Back in Code Snippets Manager, I’ve clicked Import:

I located the file to import, deselected the My Code Snippets folder, and selected the GL_Snippets folder, then clicked Finish:

Now let’s try the new snippet. I opened a new query window, and right-clicked in the empty space. We can then see the option for Insert Snippet (note we could have used Ctrl+K, Ctrl+X):