add-an-external-tool-to-the-tools-menu-sql-server-management-studio.md

title	Add an External Tool to the Tools Menu
ms.custom	seo-lt-2019
ms.date	01/19/2017
ms.prod	sql
ms.prod_service	sql-tools
ms.reviewer
ms.technology	ssms
ms.topic	conceptual
helpviewer_keywords	tools [SQL Server], external external tools [SQL Server] adding external tools Tools menu
ms.assetid	25c1399e-afb1-4337-b74b-57a199cf26db
author	markingmyname
ms.author	maghan

Add an External Tool to the Tools Menu (SQL Server Management Studio)

[!INCLUDEappliesto-ss-asdb-asdw-pdw-md] You can launch any [!INCLUDEmsCoName] Windows or [!INCLUDEmsCoName] [!INCLUDEdnprdnshort] application from [!INCLUDEssManStudioFull]. External applications can be added to, and run from, the Tools menu.

To add an external tool to the Tools menu

1. On the Tools menu, click External Tools.

2. In the Title text box, type the name you want to appear in the Menu contents list.

3. In the Command text box, type the program name. Include the path to the executable file if necessary.

4. In the Arguments text box, type the program arguments if necessary.

5. In the Initial directory text box, type the program's initial directory if necessary.

6. To add the tool to the Menu contents list, click Add; and then click OK.