Visual Studio 2013 SQL Query and View Designer not appearing

Question

Not sure why the Query and View Designer is not appearing as per

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/vstudio/ms172013.aspx

It's an ASP.net project with database in the AppData folder, and a connection using SQL 2008 Express.

If it helps the connection string is:

Data Source=.\SQLEXPRESS;AttachDbFilename="C:\folders...\App_Data\database.mdf";Integrated Security=True;Connect Timeout=30;User Instance=True

If I open the project in VS2012 (where I've worked on this project for some time), find a table, right click, new query, I get the nice interactive visual design tool.

If I open the project in VS2013 (just installed) and do the same, blank page named SQLQuery1.sql and a basic connection to SQL Express (ie. master, model, etc.)

MS page tells me Tools / Options / Visual Database tools - but this doesn't exist on my installation!

Am I missing something?

Also tried with blank project, added App_Data and a new database (so using LocalDB), added a table, right click, new query - exactly the same blank file.

Answer 1

I have been having the same problem and think I have found the solution.

When you are adding the connection to the Database, in the Add Connection Dialog. Click 'Change...' next to the Data source

Dialog opens showing 'Change Data Source'

You probable have selected 'Microsoft SQL Server' and then below that there is a drop down where you can select:

.NET Framework Data Provider for OLE DB
.NET Framework Data Provider for SQL Server (This is probably selected by default)

try changing to the OLE DB connection.

Click OK, and then complete the rest of the connection on the 'Add Connection' dialog. I have then found that using the database works as it did in VS2012 and as you are describing above.

Answer 2

Was searching for a solution to a similar issue. Unable to use Query Designer for a local mdf file database. This is what I found...hope it helps someone.

Reading the comments here (http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/sqlserver/en-US/ed4675d3-aa84-47db-bdf5-f852355409e6/query-designer-not-displaying-in-visual-studio-2013?forum=ssdt).

According to the moderator of that forum question (Kevin Cunnane of Microsoft), "in Visual Studio 2013 the query designer and database diagram features are no longer available from the Server Explorer. If you wish to keep using the query designer, the only other workaround for now is to access it from SSMS. "

My current workaround is to use Visual Studio 2012 Server Explorer to view data and write queries for a local MDF file. And to use Visual Studio 2013 for everything else.