Where is the SQL File Template in Visual Studio 2010?

Question

I notice in VS2010's Tools > Options dialog, there is a section on how to format the SQL:

I am working with a very large stored procedure on our server that is not formatted well at all. I was thinking it would be great to create a new SQL File in my project, copy and paste the text from the stored procedure in there, and have the text editor apply auto formatting to all of the SQL.

When I call "Add > New Item" and get that dialog, there does not seem to be any Installed Template with the .sql extension.

I see the SQL Server Database template, but that is not what I need. The LINQ to SQL Classes is not right, either.

What template do I need to use to use the auto formatting built into the VS2010 interface?

Answer 1

Judging from your screenshot, you have a C# project (e.g. a library dll) open. This won't show an option to add a .sql file as those files are not normally associated with a C# kind of projects.

One way around it is:

1. In VS2010 main menu, go to File -> New -> File. In General tab, there's a SqlFile file type.

2. Add a file and save it to the disk in the location of your project.

3. Right-click on your project and select Add -> Existing Item. In the open file dialog, change the extension to *.* to show your .sql file.

4. Add file to the project. If needed, change "Build Action" and "Copy to Output Directory" properties to control how it behaves during the build.