---
title: "Use SQL Server Management Studio | Microsoft Docs"
ms.custom: ""
ms.date: "06/13/2017"
ms.prod: "sql-server-2014"
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ms.topic: conceptual
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "Management Studio [SQL Server]"
  - "Enterprise Manager (See SQL Server Management Studio [Analysis Services])"
  - "SQL Server Management Studio [SQL Server], about SQL Server Management Studio"
ms.assetid: f289e978-14ca-46ef-9e61-e1fe5fd593be
author: mashamsft
ms.author: mathoma
manager: craigg
---
# Use SQL Server Management Studio
  [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)] (SSMS) is an integrated environment for accessing, configuring, managing, administering, and developing all components of [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)]. SSMS combines a broad group of graphical tools with a number of rich script editors to provide access to [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] to developers and administrators of all skill levels.  
  
 SSMS combines the features of Enterprise Manager, Query Analyzer, and Analysis Manager, included in previous releases of [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)], into a single environment. In addition, SSMS works with all components of [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] such as [!INCLUDE[ssRSnoversion](../includes/ssrsnoversion-md.md)] and [!INCLUDE[ssISnoversion](../includes/ssisnoversion-md.md)]. Developers get a familiar experience, and database administrators get a single comprehensive utility that combines easy-to-use graphical tools with rich scripting capabilities.  
  
 Download and install SSMS from the [Microsoft Developer Network](https://msdn.microsoft.com/library/dn434042.aspx).  
  
## In This Section  
 [Features in SQL Server Management Studio](features-in-sql-server-management-studio.md)  
 Lists the rich feature set included in [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)].  
  
 [Tool Windows in SQL Server Management Studio](../ssms/tool-windows-in-sql-server-management-studio.md)  
 Describes the tools that are components of [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)].  
  
 [Understand SQL Server Management Studio Windows Management](../ssms/understand-sql-server-management-studio-windows-management.md)  
 Describes how to manage the windows displayed in [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)].  
  
 [Administer Servers with SQL Server Management Studio](../ssms/administer-servers-with-sql-server-management-studio.md)  
 Describes how to administer instances of [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)].  
  
 [Connect to Any SQL Server Component from SQL Server Management Studio](../ssms/f1-help/connect-to-any-sql-server-component-from-sql-server-management-studio.md)  
 Describes how to connect to instances of [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] and how to perform certain tasks without a connection.  
  
 [Object Explorer](../ssms/object/object-explorer.md)  
 Describes the features of the Object Explorer.  
  
 [User Assistance in SQL Server Management Studio](../ssms/user-assistance-in-sql-server-management-studio.md)  
 Describes how to configure user assistance, such as Help, in [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)].  
  
 [Query and Text Editors (SQL Server Management Studio)](../relational-databases/scripting/query-and-text-editors-sql-server-management-studio.md)  
 Describes how to use the rich editing environment in [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)] to edit [!INCLUDE[tsql](../includes/tsql-md.md)], MDX, DMX and XML/A scripts.  
  
 [Edit SQLCMD Scripts with Query Editor](../relational-databases/scripting/edit-sqlcmd-scripts-with-query-editor.md)  
 Describes the capabilities and limitations of using Query Editor in SQLCMD mode.  
  
 [Color Coding in Query Editors](../relational-databases/scripting/color-coding-in-query-editors.md)  
 Describes the meaning of the color coding in Code Editor windows.  
  
 [SQL Server Management Studio Keyboard Shortcuts](../ssms/sql-server-management-studio-keyboard-shortcuts.md)  
 Lists the keyboard shortcuts available in the [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)].  
  
 [Customize Menus and Shortcut Keys](../ssms/customize-menus-and-shortcut-keys.md)  
 Describes how to create custom menus and shortcuts.  
  
 [Solutions (SQL Server Management Studio)](../ssms/solution/solutions-sql-server-management-studio.md)  
 Describes how to develop script projects and solutions.  
  
 [Template Explorer](../ssms/template/template-explorer.md)  
 Describes how to use the [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)] templates and how to create custom templates.  
  
 [Property Pages in SQL Server Management Studio](../ssms/property-pages-in-sql-server-management-studio.md)  
 Describes the new property window layout in [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)].  
  
 [Visual Database Tool Designers](../ssms/visual-db-tools/visual-database-tool-designers.md)  
 Describes the Visual Database Tools that you can use to create queries, design or modify a database structure, or update data.  
  
## See Also  
 [View or Change Server Properties (SQL Server)](configure-windows/view-or-change-server-properties-sql-server.md)