This is one of the more simple guides for SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), and it’s on how to filter objects in the Object Explorer. MS SQL DBAs may use this feature often to quickly find a table, SQL login, stored procedure or any other object that you have many of.
Finding a SQL Server Object
This example shows the filtering of SQL Logins, but this goes for any SQL object (tables, views, etc).
In SQL Management Studio (SSMS) Object Explorer, expand Security, right-click Logins and select Filter Settings as shown below.
In the prompted window, we can insert our variables for search.
Click OK when you have inserted the name to filter by, which is wildcarded on both ends. You’ll then see your filtered SQL login(s)/object(s) in the Object Explorer.
You can clear the filter by right-clicking Tables, and then selecting Remove Filter.
To conclude this SSMS tip, it’s a feature SQL Admins will find themselves using when it’s too difficult to find an object by scrolling through a big list in SSMS.
Thanks for reading!