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Introduction

SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 21 marks a significant leap forward in database tooling with the integration of Copilot, an AI-powered assistant designed to streamline SQL-related tasks. Whether you’re writing complex queries, analyzing data trends, or managing database configurations, Copilot enhances your workflow by offering intelligent, context-aware support. This integration not only boosts productivity but also simplifies the learning curve for new users and accelerates troubleshooting for seasoned professionals.

Benefits of Using Copilot with SSMS 21

Integrating Copilot into SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 21 offers a range of productivity and usability enhancements for database professionals:

🧠 Context-Aware Assistance

Copilot intelligently understands the structure and context of your database, enabling it to provide highly relevant suggestions. This makes writing queries faster, more accurate, and less error-prone.

💬 Simplified Querying

With natural language support, you can interact with your database conversationally. This reduces the need to memorize complex SQL syntax and allows you to focus on intent rather than structure.

🔧 Efficient Troubleshooting

Copilot helps identify issues in your queries or database configuration and suggests actionable fixes. This streamline debugging and performance tuning tasks.

📘 Interactive Learning

For those new to SQL or SSMS, Copilot acts as a real-time tutor—explaining SQL logic, syntax, and best practices as you work.

🔐 Customizable Execution Modes

You can configure Copilot to operate in read-only mode or read/write with approval, giving you control over how it interacts with your data and ensuring compliance with organizational policies.

Copilot Principles in SSMS 21

When using Copilot in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 21, it’s important to understand the foundational principles that guide its behavior and ensure secure, responsible usage:

🔒 1. Context-Aware Responses

Copilot’s responses are grounded in the SQL database environment. This means it tailors its suggestions and actions based on the structure, schema, and data of the database you’re working with—ensuring relevance and accuracy.

🛡️ 2. Respect for Permissions

Copilot operates strictly within the boundaries of your user permissions. It only accesses resources that you have access to and can only perform actions that you are authorized to execute. This ensures that sensitive data and operations remain secure and compliant with your organization’s access policies.

🚫 3. Privacy by Design

Your prompts and Copilot’s responses are not used to train or retrain any models in Azure OpenAI or elsewhere. This guarantees that your interactions remain private and are not used to influence future model behavior. Responsible AI practices for Azure OpenAI models

Copilot Architecture in SSMS 21

Understanding the architecture behind Copilot in SSMS 21 helps clarify how it integrates with your environment and what to expect in terms of setup and cost:

🧠 1. RAG-Based Semantic Kernel

Copilot in SSMS is built on a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) model using Semantic Kernel. This allows it to retrieve relevant SQL context and generate intelligent, context-aware responses—making it highly effective for database tasks.

🌐 2. Bring-Your-Own Endpoint (BYOE)

The architecture follows a Bring-Your-Own Endpoint model. Initially, it supports only Azure OpenAI endpoints, giving organizations control over where and how their AI models are hosted and managed.

💰 3. Cost Considerations

The cost of using Copilot depends on several factors:

• The deployment type


• The quota and model selected


• The volume of usage

This flexible model allows teams to scale usage based on their needs and budget.

How to Enable Copilot in SSMS 21

Getting started with Copilot in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) 21 is straightforward. Follow these steps to configure and activate it:

🔧 Setup Instructions

1. Open SSMS 21 and navigate to Tools > Options.


2. In the search bar, type “Copilot” to locate the relevant settings.


3. Under Azure OpenAI Settings, provide the following details:




• Azure OpenAI API Key


• Deployment Name


• Endpoint


• Execution Mode: Choose between Read or Read/Write with Approval depending on your operational needs.

💡 Note: As of now, OpenAI Model: GPT-4o is the only supported model for Copilot in SSMS21.

Once configured, you can launch Copilot directly from the SSMS > Copilot menu and begin interacting with your database using natural language prompts.

Setting Context for Your Database

To ensure Copilot provides the most relevant and accurate responses, it’s important to set the context to the specific database you’re working with. Here’s how you can do it:

1. In the Copilot chat box, type @.


2. A dropdown menu will appear, listing all available databases (e.g., user databases or the master database).


3. Select the desired database from the list to establish the working context.

Once the context is set, Copilot will tailor its suggestions and actions based on the selected database, enhancing the precision and usefulness of its assistance.

Exploring Copilot Capabilities

Once you’ve set the context to a specific database, Copilot in SSMS 21 becomes a powerful assistant for a wide range of SQL-related tasks. You can interact with it using natural language prompts to:

• 🗣️ Talk to Your SQL Server: Ask questions or issue commands in plain English and let Copilot translate them into SQL.


• ✍️ Write and Optimize Queries: Generate new queries or improve existing ones with performance-focused suggestions.


• 📊 Summarize Data: Quickly get overviews or summaries of large datasets without writing complex SQL.


• 📈 Generate Reports: Automate the creation of structured reports based on your data and requirements.


• 🧠 Explain SQL Logic: Understand what a query does and why, with clear explanations that help you learn and debug.

This makes Copilot not just a tool, but a collaborative partner in your SQL development and management workflow.

Sample Prompts to Try with Copilot

Once Copilot is set up and context is selected, you can begin interacting with your SQL Server using natural language. Here are some example prompts to help you get started:

• 🖥️ “What is the SQL Server name you are connected to?”


• 🕒 “Can you share the SQL Server version and when it was last upgraded?”


• 📋 “Can you list all the databases, with their compatibility level, backup location, backup type, and last backup date?”


• 🔁 “Are there any Availability Groups or replication enabled on this server?”


• 🔐 “Can you share information on server parameter values that impact performance and security?”


• ⚙️ “Can you recommend performance tuning values for the above parameters?”


• 📊 “Can you list the tables from the current database and share table size, number of rows, number of columns, last stats updated, and last timestamp the table was updated?”


• 📈 “Can you share a sales trend analysis over the years based on invoice date?”

These prompts showcase Copilot’s ability to assist with diagnostics, performance tuning, data exploration, and reporting—all through conversational input.

Summary

Copilot in SSMS 21 is a game-changer for SQL professionals. By combining the power of AI with the familiarity of SSMS, it empowers users to work smarter, not harder. Whether you’re managing complex databases or learning SQL, Copilot is your intelligent partner in productivity.

Next Step:

Get started with Copilot in SSMS21

Copilot in SSMS is now generally available as of May 19, 2025. You can access it by installing SSMS 21 GA through the Visual Studio Installer.

Download SSMS 21 GA

The official documentation provides step-by-step guidance for creating an endpoint and deployment in Azure OpenAI, which is essential for enabling Copilot in SSMS 21.

If you don’t already have an Azure subscription, you can still try out Copilot by creating a free Azure account. Microsoft offers a $200 credit with every new account, which you can use to provision Azure OpenAI resources—perfect for experimenting with Copilot in SSMS without any upfront cost.