Find an object in SQL Server (cross-database)

Question

If I've been told a table (or proc) name, but not which connected database the object is located in, is there any simple script to search for it? Maybe search somewhere in the System Databases? (I'm using SQL Server 2005)

Answer 1

You can use sp_MSforeachdb to search all databases.

declare @RETURN_VALUE int

declare @command1 nvarchar(2000)

set @command1 = "Your command goes here"

exec @RETURN_VALUE = sp_MSforeachdb @command1 = @command1

Raj

Answer 2

Easiest way is to hit up the information_schemas...

SELECT *
FROM information_schema.Tables
WHERE [Table_Name]='????'

SELECT *
FROM information_schema.Views
WHERE [Table_Name]='????'

SELECT *
FROM information_schema.Routines
WHERE [Routine_Name]='????'

Answer 3

There is an Information_Schema schema which is a set of views on tables from the SYS schema that you can query to get what you want.

The downside of the Information_Schema is that you have to write one query for each type of object. Upside is that the Information_Schema is more friendly to read as well.

The Sys schema will initially seem a little cryptic but it has the same information in a single spot.

Basically, there is a table called SysObjects in each database that has the names of all objects and their types.

So, you would want to search in a database as follows:

Select [name] as ObjectName, Type as ObjectType
From Sys.Objects
Where 1=1
and [Name] like '%YourObjectName%'

Now, if you wanted to restrict this to only search for tables and stored procs, you would do

Select [name] as ObjectName, Type as ObjectType
From Sys.Objects
Where 1=1
and [Name] like '%YourObjectName%'
and Type in ('U', 'P')

If you look up object types, you will find a whole list for views, triggers, etc.

Now, if you want to search for this in each database, you will have to iterate through the databases. You can do one of the following:

If you want to search through each database without any clauses, then use the sp_MSforeachdb as shown by @Raj above.

If you only want to search specific databases, use the "USE DBName" and then search command.

You will benefit greatly from having it parameterized in that case. Note that the name of the database you are searching in will have to be replaced in each query (DatabaseOne, DatabaseTwo...). Check this out:

Declare @ObjectName VarChar (100)

Set @ObjectName = '%Customer%'

Select 'DatabaseOne' as DatabaseName, [name] as ObjectName, Type as ObjectType
From DatabaseOne.Sys.Objects
Where 1=1
and [Name] like @ObjectName
and Type in ('U', 'P')
UNION ALL
Select 'DatabaseTwo' as DatabaseName, [name] as ObjectName, Type as ObjectType
From DatabaseTwo.Sys.Objects
Where 1=1
and [Name] like @ObjectName
and Type in ('U', 'P')
UNION ALL
Select 'DatabaseThree' as DatabaseName, [name] as ObjectName, Type as ObjectType
From DatabaseThree.Sys.Objects
Where 1=1
and [Name] like @ObjectName
and Type in ('U', 'P')

Answer 4

sp_MSforeachdb 'select db_name(), * From ?..sysobjects where xtype in (''U'', ''P'') And name = ''ObjectName'''

Instead of 'ObjectName' insert object you are looking for. First column will display name of database where object is located at.