---
title: "Open and Configure Object Explorer"
ms.custom: seo-lt-2019
ms.date: "01/19/2017"
ms.prod: sql
ms.prod_service: "sql-tools"
ms.reviewer: ""
ms.technology: ssms
ms.topic: conceptual
ms.assetid: a138ba3d-d00b-420c-917e-e586d590d30f
author: "markingmyname"
ms.author: "maghan"
---
# Open and Configure Object Explorer
[!INCLUDE[appliesto-ss-asdb-asdw-pdw-md](../../includes/appliesto-ss-asdb-asdw-pdw-md.md)]
Open Object Explorer by using the **View** menu in [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)]. Configure Obect Explorer options by using **Options** on the **Tools** menu.  
  
## Viewing Object Explorer  
Object Explorer is visible in [!INCLUDE[ssManStudio](../../includes/ssmanstudio-md.md)] by default. If you cannot see Object Explorer, on the **View** menu, click **Object Explorer**.  
  
## Configuring Object Explorer Options  
To configure the Object Explorer settings, on the **Tools** menu, click **Options**, and then click **SQL Server Object Explorer**.  
  
## See Also  
[Object Explorer](../../ssms/object/object-explorer.md)  
[Connect to an Instance From Object Explorer](../../ssms/object/connect-to-an-instance-from-object-explorer.md)  
[Manage Objects by Using Object Explorer](../../ssms/object/manage-objects-by-using-object-explorer.md)  
[Object Explorer Details Pane](../../ssms/object/object-explorer-details-pane.md)  
[Custom Reports in Management Studio](../../ssms/object/custom-reports-in-management-studio.md)