---
title: "Understand Database Diagram Ownership (Visual Database Tools) | Microsoft Docs"
ms.custom: ""
ms.date: "03/06/2017"
ms.prod: "sql-server-2014"
ms.reviewer: ""
ms.technology: ssms
ms.topic: conceptual
f1_keywords: 
  - "vdt.diagnostic.CannotOpenWithInvalidOwner"
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "diagrams [SQL Server], ownership"
  - "database diagrams [SQL Server], ownership"
  - "owners [SQL Server], database diagrams"
ms.assetid: 4a27a48e-c4ef-4017-82b8-0cac4d0bbcac
author: stevestein
ms.author: sstein
manager: craigg
---
# Understand Database Diagram Ownership (Visual Database Tools)
  To use Database Diagram Designer it must first be set up by a member of the db_owner role (a role of [!INCLUDE[ssNoVersion](../../includes/ssnoversion-md.md)] databases) to control access to diagrams. Each diagram has one and only one owner, the user who created it. For more information on setting up diagramming see [Set Up Database Diagram Designer (Visual Database Tools)](visual-database-tools.md).  
  
 Some points to keep in mind about diagram ownership:  
  
-   Although any user with access to a database can create a diagram, once the diagram has been created, the only users who can see it are the diagram's creator and any member of the db_owner role.  
  
-   Ownership of diagrams can only be transferred to members of the db_owner role. This is only possible if the previous owner of the diagram has been removed from the database.  
  
-   If the owner of a diagram has been removed from the database, the diagram will remain in the database until a member of the db_owner role attempts to open it. At that point the db_owner member can choose to take over ownership of the diagram.  
  
## See Also  
 [Work with Database Diagrams (Visual Database Tools)](work-with-database-diagrams-visual-database-tools.md)   
 [Set Up Database Diagram Designer (Visual Database Tools)](visual-database-tools.md)