---
title: Create and Update Tables
ms.custom: seo-lt-2019
ms.date: "08/25/2017"
ms.prod: sql
ms.prod_service: sql-tools
ms.technology: ssms
ms.topic: conceptual
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "Visual Database Tools [SQL Server], Table Designer"
  - "Table Designer, designing tables"
  - "opening tables"
  - "opening Table Designer"
  - "tables [SQL Server], opening"
  - "Table Designer, opening"
ms.assetid: c49e0155-5dcb-481f-9538-e1bde77105e2
author: markingmyname
ms.author: maghan
ms.manager: jroth
ms.reviewer: 

---
# Create and update database tables
[!INCLUDE[appliesto-ss-asdb-asdw-pdw-md](../../includes/appliesto-ss-asdb-asdw-pdw-md.md)]
The Table Designer is a visual tool where you design and visualize [database tables](../../relational-databases/tables/tables.md). Use the SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) Table Designer to create, edit, or delete tables, columns, keys, indexes, relationships, and constraints.  

  
## Create a table  
  
1. Right-click the **Tables** node in your database and select  **New** > **Table**:  
  
    ![New table](../media/design-tables/new-table.png)
  
1. Add [columns](column-properties-visual-database-tools.md) to your table:
  
    ![design table](../media/design-tables/new-table2.png)

1. Close the designer and save your changes.
  
## Update a table  
  
1. Right-click the table under the **Tables** node of your database and select **Design**:  
  
   ![Update table](../media/design-tables/update-table.png)

1. Update the desired table settings:

   ![](../media/design-tables/update-table2.png)

1. Close the designer and save your changes.

## See Also

[Tables](../../relational-databases/tables/tables.md)  
[Table Properties (Visual Database Tools)](../../ssms/visual-db-tools/table-properties-visual-database-tools.md)  
[Column Properties](column-properties-visual-database-tools.md)  
[Add Columns to a Table](../../relational-databases/tables/add-columns-to-a-table-database-engine.md)  
[Primary and Foreign Keys](../../relational-databases/tables/primary-and-foreign-key-constraints.md)  
[Indexes](../../relational-databases/indexes/indexes.md)  
[Data types (Transact-SQL)](../../t-sql/data-types/data-types-transact-sql.md)  
[Download SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)](../download-sql-server-management-studio-ssms.md)  
[Create a database and add tables in Visual Studio](/visualstudio/data-tools/create-a-sql-database-by-using-a-designer)