How do I search an SQL Server database for a string?

Question

I know it\'s possible, but I don\'t know how.

I need to search an SQL Server database for all mentions of a specific string.

For example: I would like t

Answer 1

The content of all stored procedures, views and functions are stored in field text of table sysComments. The name of all objects are stored in table sysObjects and the columns are in sysColumns.

Having this information, you can use this code to search in content of views, stored procedures, and functions for the specified word:

Select b.name from syscomments a
inner join sysobjects b on a.id = b.id
where text like '%tblEmployes%'

This query will give you the objects which contains the word "tblEmployes" .

To search by the name of Objects you can use this code:

Select name from sysobjects
where name like  '%tblEmployes%'

And finally to find the objects having at least one column containing the word "tblEmployes", you can use this code:

Select b.name from syscolumns a inner join sysobjects b on a.id = b.id
where a.name like  '%tblEmployes%'

You can combine these three queries with union:

Select distinct b.name from syscomments a
inner join sysobjects b on a.id = b.id
where text like '%tblEmployes%'
union
Select distinct name from sysobjects
where name like  '%tblEmployes%'
union
Select distinct b.name from syscolumns a inner join sysobjects b on a.id = b.id
where a.name like  '%tblEmployes%'

With this query you have all objects containing the word "tblEmployes" in content or name or as a column.

Answer 2

If I want to find where anything I want to search is, I use this:

DECLARE @search_string    varchar(200)
    SET @search_string = '%myString%'

    SELECT DISTINCT
           o.name AS Object_Name,
           o.type_desc,
           m.definition
      FROM sys.sql_modules m
           INNER JOIN
           sys.objects o
             ON m.object_id = o.object_id
     WHERE m.definition Like @search_string;

Answer 3

If you need to find database objects (e.g. tables, columns, and triggers) by name - have a look at the free Redgate Software tool called SQL Search which does this - it searches your entire database for any kind of string(s).

It's a great must-have tool for any DBA or database developer - did I already mention it's absolutely free to use for any kind of use??