---
title: "Add an External Tool to the Tools Menu (SQL Server Management Studio) | Microsoft Docs"
ms.custom: ""
ms.date: "03/06/2017"
ms.prod: "sql-server-2014"
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: stevestein
ms.author: sstein
manager: craigg
---
# Add an External Tool to the Tools Menu (SQL Server Management Studio)
  You can launch any [!INCLUDE[msCoName](../includes/msconame-md.md)] Windows or [!INCLUDE[msCoName](../includes/msconame-md.md)] [!INCLUDE[dnprdnshort](../includes/dnprdnshort-md.md)] application from [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)]. 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**.