Azure Data Studio is an open-source data management tool that enables working with SQL Server, Azure SQL DB, and Azure Synapse from Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is a one-stop shop to query, design, and manage your databases and data warehouses, on-premise or in the cloud. While Azure Data Studio has limitless capabilities, below are the top 5 Azure Data Studio extensions every SQL developer should know.
1. Visualize your data within the data studio.
Well, we have a lot of data visualization tools available. However, it makes life very easy when you can govern your data right within your SQL query editor. SandDance made a fantastic extension for Azure Data Studio to visualize data on the fly.
2. Document your SQL query analysis in an interactive Jupyter notebook.
Jupyter notebooks are documents containing live code, visualizations, narrative text, etc. Data analysts and data scientists widely use these to document and interactively run data analysis. Azure Data Studio notebooks support several kernels, including SQL Server, Python, PySpark, and others.
3. GIT Source control integration.
Azure Data Studio has built-in Git for version/source control. Install Git (version 2.0.0 or later) on your machine to enable it in Azure Data Studio.
4. Integrated Terminals for scripting.
Write Bash, PowerShell, BCP, or SSH in Azure Data Studio, like Visual Studio Code using Integrated Terminals. The terminal sessions can be renamed for better usability, especially when multiple sessions are in use.
5. Other Azure Data Studio extensions
Azure Data Studio has a marketplace with a lot of excellent extensions. You can download and install them from the Azure Data Studio Extensions tab on the left. My favorite Azure Data Studio best extensions include.
1. Simple Data Scripter – This extension provides an easy way to migrate data between tables by generating insert scripts based on the result sets of a query.
2. Simple Dataflow – Easily copy a table from one SQL Server to Another.
3. SQL Server Schema Compare – The Schema Compare extension provides an easy-to-use experience to compare .dacpac files and databases and apply the changes from source to target.
4. Query History – The Query History extension adds a Query History view for viewing and running past executed queries.
5. Visual Studio IntelliCode – The Visual Studio Intellicode extension provides AI-assisted development features for T-SQL developers in Azure Data Studio, with insights based on understanding your code context combined with machine learning.
6. If you have GitHub Copilot subscription, you can use GitHub Copilot extension for Azure Data Studio as your pair programmer.
7. Admin Pack for SQL Server – SQL Server Admin Pack is a collection of popular database administration extensions that assist in server management. Upon downloading this pack, you will receive the following extensions:
At the time of writing, some of the admin pack extensions are still in preview. These extensions aim to bridge the gap between Azure Data Studio and SQL Server Management Studio.
Additional noteworthy Azure Data Studio features
1. Keyboard shortcuts – Define keyboard shortcuts per your needs and manage your work efficiently.
2. Auto code completion with keyword IntelliSense and code fragments etc.
3. Sort and filter the data in the result grid view- This is my favorite as we can sort and filter data within the result set rather than write where and order by clauses.
Azure Data Studio Download
Azure Data Studio download link is available here based on your operating system. Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (18.7 or above) has Azure Data Studio pre-installed as an extension, and you can launch it from the Tools menu item.
Conclusion
While it still does not have essential features like the SQL query actual plan, security management, and all the wizards that SSMS offers, it can be a go-to tool for developers. Perhaps, this is the most viable tool for developers using macOS or Linux.
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Pro tips:
1. Azure Data Studio does not support connection to Azure Analysis Services. Learn how to connect and browse Azure Analysis Services using SQL Server Management Studio.
2. You can manage Elastic jobs in Azure using Azure Elastic Jobs Manager Visual Studio extension. Know more about it here.
Kunal Rathi
With over 13 years of experience in data engineering and analytics, I've assisted countless clients in gaining valuable insights from their data. As a dedicated supporter of Data, Cloud and DevOps, I'm excited to connect with individuals who share my passion for this field. If my work resonates with you, we can talk and collaborate.