---
title: "View a Database Snapshot (SQL Server) | Microsoft Docs"
description: Learn how to view a SQL Server database snapshot using SQL Server Management Studio or Transact-SQL.
ms.custom: ""
ms.date: "03/14/2017"
ms.prod: sql
ms.prod_service: "database-engine"
ms.reviewer: ""
ms.technology: supportability
ms.topic: conceptual
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "database snapshots [SQL Server], viewing"
  - "displaying database snapshots"
  - "viewing database snapshots"
ms.assetid: 123f19b2-0850-4033-8507-59ebdfb368ee
author: "stevestein"
ms.author: "sstein"
---
# View a Database Snapshot (SQL Server)
 [!INCLUDE [SQL Server](../../includes/applies-to-version/sqlserver.md)]
  This topic explains how to view a [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] database snapshot using [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)].  
  
> [!NOTE]  
>  To create, revert to, or delete a database snapshot, you must use [!INCLUDE[tsql](../../includes/tsql-md.md)].  
  
 **In This Topic**  
  
-   **To view a database snapshot, using:**  
  
     [SQL Server Management Studio](#SSMSProcedure)  
  
     [Transact-SQL](#TsqlProcedure)  
  
##  <a name="SSMSProcedure"></a> Using SQL Server Management Studio  
 **To view a database snapshot**  
  
1.  In Object Explorer, connect to the instance of the [!INCLUDE[ssDEnoversion](../../includes/ssdenoversion-md.md)] and then expand that instance.  
  
2.  Expand **Databases.**  
  
3.  Expand **Database Snapshots**, and select the snapshot you want to view.  

##  <a name="TsqlProcedure"></a> Using Transact-SQL  
 **To view a database snapshot**  
  
1.  Connect to the [!INCLUDE[ssDE](../../includes/ssde-md.md)].  
  
2.  From the Standard bar, click **New Query**.  
  
3.  To list the database snapshots of the instance of [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)], query the **source_database_id** column of the [sys.databases](../../relational-databases/system-catalog-views/sys-databases-transact-sql.md) catalog view for non-NULL values.  
  
##  <a name="RelatedTasks"></a> Related Tasks  
  
-   [Create a Database Snapshot &#40;Transact-SQL&#41;](../../relational-databases/databases/create-a-database-snapshot-transact-sql.md)  
  
-   [Revert a Database to a Database Snapshot](../../relational-databases/databases/revert-a-database-to-a-database-snapshot.md)  
  
-   [Drop a Database Snapshot &#40;Transact-SQL&#41;](../../relational-databases/databases/drop-a-database-snapshot-transact-sql.md)  
  
## See Also  
 [Database Snapshots &#40;SQL Server&#41;](../../relational-databases/databases/database-snapshots-sql-server.md)