---
title: "Open Queries (Visual Database Tools) | Microsoft Docs"
ms.custom: ""
ms.date: "06/13/2017"
ms.prod: "sql-server-2014"
ms.reviewer: ""
ms.technology: ssms
ms.topic: conceptual
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "opening queries"
  - "queries [SQL Server], opening"
ms.assetid: 6d7ce59b-2ce6-42af-9330-84ce3dc1197e
author: stevestein
ms.author: sstein
manager: craigg
---
# Open Queries (Visual Database Tools)
  You can open an existing query in Query and View Designer by using the **Open** command.  
  
### To open a query in all panes  
  
1.  From the **View** menu, click **Solution Explorer**.  
  
2.  In Solution Explorer, right-click the query you want to open and click **Open**.  
  
3.  To modify the query in Query Designer, highlight the SQL statements, right-click the highlighted area and select **Design Query in Editor.**  
  
> [!NOTE]  
>  By default the Query and View Designer opens all of its panes (SQL, Criteria, Diagram, and Results), but that default can be changed in the **Options** dialog box. To open these panes if they are closed, from the **Query Designer** menu, point to **Pane**, and then click the pane you want to open.  
  
## See Also  
 [Perform Basic Operations with Queries (Visual Database Tools)](visual-database-tools.md)   
 [Save Queries (Visual Database Tools)](save-queries-visual-database-tools.md)   
 [Work with Data in the Results Pane (Visual Database Tools)](results-pane-visual-database-tools.md)