To view all the tables in a database server - sql

Can anyone please help me with the query to list all the tables in all the databases in a single server?.
Thanks in advance.


Use sp_MSforeachdb to iterate through all databases and INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES to query the tables in each:
sp_MSforeachdb 'USE [?]; SELECT * FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES'


AS stated here by
Try with dynamic query
You need a query for each database against sys.tables.
select 'master' as DatabaseName,
T.name collate database_default as TableName
from master.sys.tables as T
union all
select 'tempdb' as DatabaseName,
T.name collate database_default as TableName
from tempdb.sys.tables as T
union all
select 'model' as DatabaseName,
T.name collate database_default as TableName
from model.sys.tables as T
union all
select 'msdb' as DatabaseName,
T.name collate database_default as TableName
from msdb.sys.tables as T
You can use sys.databases to build and execute the query dynamically.
declare #SQL nvarchar(max)
set #SQL = (select 'union all
select '''+D.name+''' as DatabaseName,
T.name collate database_default as TableName
from '+quotename(D.name)+'.sys.tables as T
'
from sys.databases as D
for xml path(''), type).value('substring((./text())[1], 13)', 'nvarchar(max)')
--print #SQL
exec (#SQL)


IF OBJECT_ID('tempdb.dbo.#tbl') IS NOT NULL
DROP TABLE #tbl
CREATE TABLE #tbl (
database_id SYSNAME
, tbl_name SYSNAME
, sch_name SYSNAME
, [rows] INT
)
DECLARE #SQL NVARCHAR(MAX)
SELECT #SQL = STUFF((
SELECT '
USE [' + d.name + ']
INSERT INTO #tbl
SELECT DB_NAME(), o.name, s.name, p.[rows]
FROM sys.objects o
JOIN sys.schemas s ON o.[schema_id] = s.[schema_id]
LEFT JOIN (
SELECT p.[object_id], [rows] = SUM(p.[rows])
FROM sys.partitions p
WHERE p.index_id < 2
GROUP BY p.[object_id]
) p ON p.[object_id] = o.[object_id]
WHERE o.[type] = ''U''
AND o.is_ms_shipped = 0;'
FROM sys.databases d
WHERE d.[state] = 0
FOR XML PATH(''), TYPE).value('.', 'NVARCHAR(MAX)'), 1, 2, '')
EXEC sys.sp_executesql #SQL
SELECT * FROM #tbl

Related

Max(ID) of each table on a database

I am trying to get the maximum value MAX(ID) for each table I have which contains ID on my DB "Table_Example" and one schema_name in specific.
A single example:
SELECT MAX(ID) FROM Schema_name.Table_name1
This retrieve the maximum ID value that is located on Table_name1, but I have 84 tables. I would like to know the max of each table only in one column.
This is the code where I am working on currently:
I am using information_schema.columns to get the names of the tables automatic and the schema each table belongs to in order to get the whole DB IDs max(id) in one column.
USE TABLE_EXAMPLE
GO
DECLARE #ID NVARCHAR(MAX) --int
SET #ID = (SELECT DISTINCT COLUMN_NAME FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
WHERE TABLE_SCHEMA = 'SCHEMA_NAME' AND COLUMN_NAME IN ('ID') AND DATA_TYPE = 'INT')
SELECT #ID FROM (SELECT ('SCHEMA_NAME'+'.'+TABLE_NAME) AS TABLE_NAME FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
WHERE TABLE_SCHEMA = 'SCHEMA_NAME' AND COLUMN_NAME = 'ID' AND DATA_TYPE='INT') AS W
This Script retrieve wrong data but I think I am a bit closed to get the values, but I am not sure what I am doing wrong.
Could someone give me any good approach? Or any better option to get it done?

If you are wanting the max value in your identity columns, regardless of the names of those columns, then this is a very simple way of doing it. This will give you the Table Name, the name of the Identity Column, and the max value of that column:
SELECT sys.tables.name AS [Table Name],
sys.identity_columns.name AS [Column Name],
last_value AS [Last Value]
FROM sys.identity_columns
INNER JOIN sys.tables
ON sys.identity_columns.object_id = sys.tables.object_id
ORDER BY last_value DESC

This enumerate all tables with column Id and MAX value of this ID:
DECLARE #query nvarchar(MAX);
SELECT #query = COALESCE(#query + char(10)+'UNION ALL '+char(10)+'SELECT '''+QUOTENAME(s.name)+'.'+QUOTENAME(T.name)+''' [Table], MAX(Id) [Max] FROM '+QUOTENAME(s.name)+'.'+QUOTENAME(T.name),
'SELECT '''+QUOTENAME(s.name)+'.'+QUOTENAME(T.name)+''' [Table], MAX(Id) [Max] FROM '+QUOTENAME(s.name)+'.'+QUOTENAME(T.name))
FROM sys.schemas S
JOIN sys.tables T ON S.schema_id=T.schema_id
JOIN sys.columns C ON T.object_id=C.object_id
WHERE C.name='Id';
EXEC(#query);

Try like this,
This would give you the script.
SELECT DISTINCT 'SELECT MAX(' + + COLUMN_NAME + ') as ' + table_name + 'MaxId FROM ' + table_name
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
WHERE TABLE_SCHEMA = 'dbo'
AND COLUMN_NAME IN ('ID')

CREATE TABLE #MaxValues (SchemaName SYSNAME , TableName SYSNAME , MaxID INT)
GO
Declare #SchemaName SYSNAME = 'dbo' --<-- Pass you schema name to this variable
,#ColumnName SYSNAME = 'ID' --<-- Column Name
,#DataType SYSNAME = 'INT' --<-- Data type
DECLARE #TableName SYSNAME , #SchmaName SYSNAME
, #Sql NVARCHAR(MAX) , #ColName SYSNAME;
Declare Cur CURSOR LOCAL FAST_FORWARD FOR
SELECT s.name , t.name , c.name
FROM sys.columns c
Inner join sys.tables t on c.object_id = t.object_id
Inner join sys.schemas s on s.schema_id = t.schema_id
Inner join sys.types tp on tp.user_type_id = c.user_type_id
WHERE s.name = #SchemaName
AND c.name = #ColumnName
AND tp.name = #DataType
OPEN Cur
FETCH NEXT FROM Cur INTO #SchmaName , #TableName , #ColName
WHILE (##FETCH_STATUS =0)
BEGIN
SET #Sql = N'INSERT INTO #MaxValues (SchemaName, TableName, MaxID )'
+ N' SELECT #SchmaName ,#TableName, MAX(' + QUOTENAME(#ColName) + N') '
+ N' FROM ' + QUOTENAME(#SchmaName) + '.' + QUOTENAME(#TableName)
Exec sp_executesql #Sql
,N'#SchmaName SYSNAME , #TableName SYSNAME'
,#SchmaName
,#TableName
FETCH NEXT FROM Cur INTO #SchmaName , #TableName , #ColName
END
CLOSE Cur
DEALLOCATE Cur
SELECT * FROM #MaxValues

Perhaps a little dynamic SQL
Edit This will return the Table Name(s) and Max ID in one dataset
Declare #SQL varchar(max) = '>>>'
Select #SQL = #SQL + SQL
From (
Select SQL='Union All Select TableName='''+concat('[',Table_Schema,'].[',Table_Name,']')+''',MaxID=max(ID) From '+concat('[',Table_Schema,'].[',Table_Name,'] ')
From INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
Where Column_Name = 'ID'
) A
Set #SQL=Replace(#SQL,'>>>Union All ','')
Exec(#SQL)

This script will list all the max ids. It is assuming your first column is the ID, regardless of its name.
DECLARE #Script AS VARCHAR(MAX) = ''
SELECT #Script = #Script + 'SELECT MAX(' + COLUMN_NAME + ') AS ID FROM ' + c.TABLE_NAME + ' UNION ALL ' + CHAR(13)+CHAR(10)
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS c
INNER JOIN INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES t ON c.TABLE_NAME = t.TABLE_NAME
WHERE c.ORDINAL_POSITION = 1 and t.TABLE_TYPE = 'BASE TABLE' and c.TABLE_SCHEMA = 'dbo' and c.DATA_TYPE = 'int'
SELECT #Script = LEFT(#Script, LEN(#Script) - 12)
EXEC (#Script)

Select databases which only contain specific table

I'm looking for a way to select all databases on my sql server, which only contain the table "dbo.mytable"
How can i do this ?
I already have these two sql queries :
Select name From sys.databases Where database_id > 5
And
IF EXISTS
(SELECT * FROM sys.objects
WHERE object_id = OBJECT_ID(N'[dbo].[mytable]') AND type in (N'U'))
Select 1 [Exists]
Else
Select 0 [Exists]
The first query, lists all databases on my sql server, and the second checks if dbo.mytable exists. I would like to merge them.
Thanks

A concise way that brings them all back in one resultset is
SELECT name
FROM sys.databases
WHERE CASE
WHEN state_desc = 'ONLINE'
THEN OBJECT_ID(QUOTENAME(name) + '.[dbo].[mytable]', 'U')
END IS NOT NULL

You can use sp_Msforeachdb that is an undocumented Stored procedure and run on all databases :
EXEC sp_Msforeachdb "use [?];select * from sys.tables where name='MYTable' "
more about sp_msforeachtable : The undocumented sp_MSforeachdb procedure

Return list of databases, which contains the specified table -
Query:
DECLARE
#SQL NVARCHAR(MAX)
, #table_name SYSNAME
SELECT #table_name = 'dbo.test'
IF OBJECT_ID('tempdb.dbo.#db_temp') IS NOT NULL
DROP TABLE #db_temp
CREATE TABLE #db_temp (db_nm SYSNAME)
SELECT #SQL = (
SELECT '
USE [' + d.name + '];
INSERT INTO #db_temp (db_nm)
SELECT DB_NAME()
WHERE EXISTS(
SELECT 1
FROM sys.objects
WHERE [object_id] = OBJECT_ID(''' + #table_name + ''')
AND [type] = ''U''
)'
FROM sys.databases d
WHERE d.name NOT IN ('master', 'tempdb', 'model', 'msdb')
AND d.state_desc != 'OFFLINE'
FOR XML PATH(''), TYPE).value('.', 'NVARCHAR(MAX)')
EXEC sys.sp_executesql #SQL
SELECT *
FROM #db_temp dt
Output:
USE [...];
INSERT INTO #db_temp (db_nm)
SELECT DB_NAME()
WHERE EXISTS(
SELECT 1
FROM sys.objects
WHERE [object_id] = OBJECT_ID('...')
AND [type] = 'U'
)
...

All tables and all columns in SQL?

I'm looking to list each table in my database and the corresponding column headers with it. Is there a way for SQL to do this and alphabetize the column names in the process?
Something along the formatting lines of:
Table1 Col1name Col2name Col3name ...
Table2 Col1name Col2name Col3name ...
...
Thanks!

SELECT
[schema] = s.name,
[table] = t.name,
[column] = c.name
FROM
sys.tables AS t
INNER JOIN
sys.schemas AS s
ON t.[schema_id] = s.[schema_id]
INNER JOIN
sys.columns AS c
ON t.[object_id] = c.[object_id]
ORDER BY
t.name,
c.name;
And here is why I wouldn't use INFORMATION_SCHEMA for anything in SQL Server 2005+:
The case against INFORMATION_SCHEMA views

SQL Server has an undocumented Stored procedure called sp_MSforeachtable which you can use to iterate through all the tables in a database
Once you know the tablename, you can use Information schema views or info schema view for Columns to see all the columns in the table

This should get you going in the right direction. Really depends on how you want your output:
SELECT t.table_name, STUFF((SELECT distinct ',' + c.COLUMN_NAME
FROM DATABASENAME.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS c WHERE c.TABLE_NAME =t.table_name
FOR XML PATH(''), TYPE
).value('.', 'NVARCHAR(MAX)')
,1,1,'') as Columns
FROM DATABASENAME.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES t
ORDER BY t.TABLE_NAME, Columns
If using sys.tables and sys.columns as #Aaron points out, then this should work as well:
SELECT t.name, STUFF((SELECT distinct ', ' + c.name
FROM sys.COLUMNS c WHERE t.object_id = c.object_id
FOR XML PATH(''), TYPE
).value('.', 'NVARCHAR(MAX)')
,1,1,'') as Columns
FROM sys.TABLES t
ORDER BY t.name, Columns
Good luck.

try this
declare #xml as xml
declare #max_cols int
declare #i int
declare #query as varchar(max)
declare #query_OA2 as varchar(max)
select #max_cols = MAX(n)
from( select COUNT(name) as n
from sys.columns
group by object_id
)V
select #i = 1, #query_OA2 = ''
while #i <= #max_cols
begin
set #query_OA2 = #query_OA2 +', C.elements.value(''./name['+CAST(#i as varchar(max))+']'',''varchar(max)'') as [Column '+CAST(#i as varchar(max))+']'
set #i = #i+1
end
select #query_OA2 = STUFF(#query_OA2,1,1,'')
select #query = 'select t.name as [table]
,OA2.*
from sys.tables t
outer apply (select (select (select c.name from sys.columns c
where c.object_id = t.object_id
order by c.column_id
for xml path(''''),type) for xml path(''columns''),type) as cols
)OA
outer apply (select '+#query_OA2+'
from OA.cols.nodes(''columns'')C(elements)
)OA2
order by t.name'
exec (#query)
part of the resultset I achieved
table Column 1 Column 2 Column 3
Veixxxxx cd_exxx cd_veixxx nr_apxxxxxx
Verxxxx cd_verxxx de_verxxx de_muxxxx

doing a pivot trick...?
declare #max_cols int
declare #i int
declare #query as varchar(max)
declare #query2 as varchar(max)
select #max_cols = MAX(n)
from( select COUNT(COLUMN_NAME) as n
from INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
group by table_name
)V
select #i = 1, #query2 = ''
while #i <= #max_cols
begin
set #query2 = #query2 +', Col_'+CAST(#i as varchar(max))
set #i = #i+1
end
select #query2 = STUFF(#query2,1,1,'')
select #query =
'select *
from (
select T.TABLE_NAME,T.COLUMN_NAME,''Col_''+cast(T.ORDINAL_POSITION as varchar(max)) as pos
from INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS T
)V
PIVOT (max(V.COLUMN_NAME) for pos in ('+#query2+'))U'
exec(#query)
resultset achieved was the same as the xml method
TABLE_NAME Col_1 Col_2 Col_3
Veixxxxx cd_exxx cd_veixxx nr_apxxxxxx
Verxxxx cd_verxxx de_verxxx de_muxxxx

How to find the database name and table name by using Column name

I need a query in Sql server 2005. I have a column name. Having that, I need to find a database name and table name. Is there any way to find it?

From SO's sister site, "StackExchange":
https://dba.stackexchange.com/questions/511/how-to-list-search-all-columns-in-a-sql-server-2008-databases
SELECT t.name AS table_name,
SCHEMA_NAME(schema_id) AS schema_name,
c.name AS column_name
FROM sys.tables AS t
INNER JOIN sys.columns c ON t.OBJECT_ID = c.OBJECT_ID
WHERE c.name LIKE '%EmployeeID%'
ORDER BY schema_name, table_name;

Possible, this script will be helpful for you -
DECLARE #SearchColumnName SYSNAME
SELECT #SearchColumnName = 'EmployeeID'
IF EXISTS(
SELECT 1
FROM tempdb.dbo.sysobjects
WHERE id = OBJECT_ID('tempdb.dbo.#DB')
) DROP TABLE #DB
CREATE TABLE #DB
(
[DB_NAME] SYSNAME
, [OBJECT_NAME] SYSNAME
, [COLUMN_NAME] SYSNAME
)
DECLARE #SQL NVARCHAR(500)
SELECT #SQL = 'USE [?]
INSERT INTO #DB
(
[DB_NAME]
, [OBJECT_NAME]
, [COLUMN_NAME]
)
SELECT
DB_NAME()
, s.name + ''.'' + o.name
, c.name
FROM (
SELECT
c.[object_id]
, c.name
FROM sys.columns c WITH (NOWAIT)
WHERE c.name LIKE ''%'' + ''' + #SearchColumnName+ ''' + ''%''
) c
JOIN sys.objects o WITH (NOWAIT) ON c.[object_id] = o.[object_id]
JOIN sys.schemas s WITH (NOWAIT) ON o.[schema_id] = s.[schema_id]
WHERE o.type = ''U'''
EXEC sys.sp_MSforeachdb #SQL
SELECT *
FROM #DB
ORDER BY [DB_NAME], [OBJECT_NAME]

How to find column names for all tables in all databases in SQL Server

I want to find all column names in all tables in all databases. Is there a query that can do that for me?

Try this:
select
o.name,c.name
from sys.columns c
inner join sys.objects o on c.object_id=o.object_id
order by o.name,c.column_id
With resulting column names this would be:
select
o.name as [Table], c.name as [Column]
from sys.columns c
inner join sys.objects o on c.object_id=o.object_id
--where c.name = 'column you want to find'
order by o.name,c.name
Or for more detail:
SELECT
s.name as ColumnName
,sh.name+'.'+o.name AS ObjectName
,o.type_desc AS ObjectType
,CASE
WHEN t.name IN ('char','varchar') THEN t.name+'('+CASE WHEN s.max_length<0 then 'MAX' ELSE CONVERT(varchar(10),s.max_length) END+')'
WHEN t.name IN ('nvarchar','nchar') THEN t.name+'('+CASE WHEN s.max_length<0 then 'MAX' ELSE CONVERT(varchar(10),s.max_length/2) END+')'
WHEN t.name IN ('numeric') THEN t.name+'('+CONVERT(varchar(10),s.precision)+','+CONVERT(varchar(10),s.scale)+')'
ELSE t.name
END AS DataType
,CASE
WHEN s.is_nullable=1 THEN 'NULL'
ELSE 'NOT NULL'
END AS Nullable
,CASE
WHEN ic.column_id IS NULL THEN ''
ELSE ' identity('+ISNULL(CONVERT(varchar(10),ic.seed_value),'')+','+ISNULL(CONVERT(varchar(10),ic.increment_value),'')+')='+ISNULL(CONVERT(varchar(10),ic.last_value),'null')
END
+CASE
WHEN sc.column_id IS NULL THEN ''
ELSE ' computed('+ISNULL(sc.definition,'')+')'
END
+CASE
WHEN cc.object_id IS NULL THEN ''
ELSE ' check('+ISNULL(cc.definition,'')+')'
END
AS MiscInfo
FROM sys.columns s
INNER JOIN sys.types t ON s.system_type_id=t.user_type_id and t.is_user_defined=0
INNER JOIN sys.objects o ON s.object_id=o.object_id
INNER JOIN sys.schemas sh on o.schema_id=sh.schema_id
LEFT OUTER JOIN sys.identity_columns ic ON s.object_id=ic.object_id AND s.column_id=ic.column_id
LEFT OUTER JOIN sys.computed_columns sc ON s.object_id=sc.object_id AND s.column_id=sc.column_id
LEFT OUTER JOIN sys.check_constraints cc ON s.object_id=cc.parent_object_id AND s.column_id=cc.parent_column_id
ORDER BY sh.name+'.'+o.name,s.column_id
EDIT
Here is a basic example to get all columns in all databases:
DECLARE #SQL varchar(max)
SET #SQL=''
SELECT #SQL=#SQL+'UNION
select
'''+d.name+'.''+sh.name+''.''+o.name,c.name,c.column_id
from '+d.name+'.sys.columns c
inner join '+d.name+'.sys.objects o on c.object_id=o.object_id
INNER JOIN '+d.name+'.sys.schemas sh on o.schema_id=sh.schema_id
'
FROM sys.databases d
SELECT #SQL=RIGHT(#SQL,LEN(#SQL)-5)+'order by 1,3'
--print #SQL
EXEC (#SQL)
EDIT SQL Server 2000 version
DECLARE #SQL varchar(8000)
SET #SQL=''
SELECT #SQL=#SQL+'UNION
select
'''+d.name+'.''+sh.name+''.''+o.name,c.name,c.colid
from '+d.name+'..syscolumns c
inner join sysobjects o on c.id=o.id
INNER JOIN sysusers sh on o.uid=sh.uid
'
FROM master.dbo.sysdatabases d
SELECT #SQL=RIGHT(#SQL,LEN(#SQL)-5)+'order by 1,3'
--print #SQL
EXEC (#SQL)
EDIT
Based on some comments, here is a version using sp_MSforeachdb:
sp_MSforeachdb 'select
''?'' AS DatabaseName, o.name AS TableName,c.name AS ColumnName
from sys.columns c
inner join ?.sys.objects o on c.object_id=o.object_id
--WHERE ''?'' NOT IN (''master'',''msdb'',''tempdb'',''model'')
order by o.name,c.column_id'

Why not use
Select * From INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
You can make it DB specific with
Select * From DBNAME.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS

SELECT *
FROM information_schema.columns
WHERE column_name = 'My_Column'
You must set your current database name with USE [db_name] before this query.

Better way for you
sp_MSForEachDB #command1='USE ?;
SELECT
Table_Catalog
,Table_Schema
,Table_Name
,Column_Name
,Data_Type
,Character_Maximum_Length
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
WHERE COLUMN_NAME like ''%ColumnNameHere%'''

Some minor improvements
->previous answers weren't showing all results
->possible to filter on column name by setting the column name variable
DECLARE #columnname nvarchar(150)
SET #columnname=''
DECLARE #SQL varchar(max)
SET #SQL=''
SELECT #SQL=#SQL+'UNION
SELECT
'''+d.name+'.''+sh.name+''.''+o.name COLLATE SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS as name,c.name COLLATE SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS as columnname,c.column_id
FROM '+d.name+'.sys.columns c
INNER JOIN '+d.name+'.sys.objects o on c.object_id=o.object_id
INNER JOIN '+d.name+'.sys.schemas sh on o.schema_id=sh.schema_id
WHERE c.name like ''%'+#columnname+'%'' AND sh.name<>''sys''
'
FROM sys.databases d
SELECT #SQL=RIGHT(#SQL,LEN(#SQL)-5)+'order by 1,3'
--print #SQL
EXEC (#SQL)

Normally I try to do whatever I can to avoid the use of cursors, but the following query will get you everything you need:
--Declare/Set required variables
DECLARE #vchDynamicDatabaseName AS VARCHAR(MAX),
#vchDynamicQuery As VARCHAR(MAX),
#DatabasesCursor CURSOR
SET #DatabasesCursor = Cursor FOR
--Select * useful databases on the server
SELECT name
FROM sys.databases
WHERE database_id > 4
ORDER by name
--Open the Cursor based on the previous select
OPEN #DatabasesCursor
FETCH NEXT FROM #DatabasesCursor INTO #vchDynamicDatabaseName
WHILE ##FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
--Insert the select statement into #DynamicQuery
--This query will select the Database name, all tables/views and their columns (in a comma delimited field)
SET #vchDynamicQuery =
('SELECT ''' + #vchDynamicDatabaseName + ''' AS ''Database_Name'',
B.table_name AS ''Table Name'',
STUFF((SELECT '', '' + A.column_name
FROM ' + #vchDynamicDatabaseName + '.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS A
WHERE A.Table_name = B.Table_Name
FOR XML PATH(''''),TYPE).value(''(./text())[1]'',''NVARCHAR(MAX)'')
, 1, 2, '''') AS ''Columns''
FROM ' + #vchDynamicDatabaseName + '.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS B
WHERE B.TABLE_NAME LIKE ''%%''
AND B.COLUMN_NAME LIKE ''%%''
GROUP BY B.Table_Name
Order BY 1 ASC')
--Print #vchDynamicQuery
EXEC(#vchDynamicQuery)
FETCH NEXT FROM #DatabasesCursor INTO #vchDynamicDatabaseName
END
CLOSE #DatabasesCursor
DEALLOCATE #DatabasesCursor
GO
I added a where clause in the main query (ex: B.TABLE_NAME LIKE ''%%'' AND B.COLUMN_NAME LIKE ''%%'') so that you can search for specific tables and/or columns if you want to.

To all: Thanks for all the post and comments some are good, but some are better.
The first big script is good because it is delivers just what is needed. The fastest and most detailed is the one suggestion for selecting from INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS..
My need was to find all the errant columns of approximately the same name and Several databases.. Sooo, I made my versions of both (see below) ...Either of these two below script work and deliver the goods in seconds.
The assumption in other posts on this link, is that the first code example can be used successfully with for-each-database, is to me, not desirable. This is because the information is within the specific database and the simple use of the "fedb" doesn't produce the correct results, it simply doesn't give access. SOOO to that is why I use a CURSOR to collect the databases and ignore those that are Off-line, which in this case, a utility script, it is a good use of same.
Bottom Line, I read everyone's post, incorporated all the correction from the posts and made what are two very eloquent scripts from others good works. I listed both below and have also placed the script file on my public folder at OneDrive.com which you can access with this link: http://1drv.ms/1vr8yNX
Enjoy !
Hank Freeman
Senior Level - SQL Server DBA - Data Architect
Try them separately...
---------------------------
--- 1st example (works) ---
---------------------------
Declare
#DBName sysname
,#SQL_String1 nvarchar(4000)
,#SQL_String2 nvarchar(4000)
,#ColumnName nvarchar(200)
--set #ColumnName = 'Course_ID'
-------- Like Trick --------
-- IF you want to add more the #ColumnName so it looks like Course_ID,CourseID
-- then add an additional pairing of +''','''+'NewColumnSearchIDValue'
----------------------------
set #ColumnName = 'Course_ID' +''','''+'CourseID'
--select #ColumnName
-----
Declare #Column_Info table
(
[DatabaseName] nvarchar(128) NULL,
[ColumnName] sysname NULL,
[ObjectName] nvarchar(257) NOT NULL,
[ObjectType] nvarchar(60) NULL,
[DataType] nvarchar(151) NULL,
[Nullable] varchar(8) NOT NULL,
[MiscInfo] nvarchar(MAX) NOT NULL
)
--------------
Begin
set #SQL_String2 = 'SELECT
DB_NAME() as ''DatabaseName'',
s.name as ColumnName
,sh.name+''.''+o.name AS ObjectName
,o.type_desc AS ObjectType
,CASE
WHEN t.name IN (''char'',''varchar'') THEN t.name+''(''+CASE WHEN s.max_length<0 then ''MAX'' ELSE CONVERT(varchar(10),s.max_length) END+'')''
WHEN t.name IN (''nvarchar'',''nchar'') THEN t.name+''(''+CASE WHEN s.max_length<0 then ''MAX'' ELSE CONVERT(varchar(10),s.max_length/2) END+'')''
WHEN t.name IN (''numeric'') THEN t.name+''(''+CONVERT(varchar(10),s.precision)+'',''+CONVERT(varchar(10),s.scale)+'')''
ELSE t.name
END AS DataType
,CASE
WHEN s.is_nullable=1 THEN ''NULL''
ELSE ''NOT NULL''
END AS Nullable
,CASE
WHEN ic.column_id IS NULL THEN ''''
ELSE '' identity(''+ISNULL(CONVERT(varchar(10),ic.seed_value),'''')+'',''+ISNULL(CONVERT(varchar(10),ic.increment_value),'''')+'')=''+ISNULL(CONVERT(varchar(10),ic.last_value),''null'')
END
+CASE
WHEN sc.column_id IS NULL THEN ''''
ELSE '' computed(''+ISNULL(sc.definition,'''')+'')''
END
+CASE
WHEN cc.object_id IS NULL THEN ''''
ELSE '' check(''+ISNULL(cc.definition,'''')+'')''
END
AS MiscInfo
into ##Temp_Column_Info
FROM sys.columns s
INNER JOIN sys.types t ON s.system_type_id=t.user_type_id and t.is_user_defined=0
INNER JOIN sys.objects o ON s.object_id=o.object_id
INNER JOIN sys.schemas sh on o.schema_id=sh.schema_id
LEFT OUTER JOIN sys.identity_columns ic ON s.object_id=ic.object_id AND s.column_id=ic.column_id
LEFT OUTER JOIN sys.computed_columns sc ON s.object_id=sc.object_id AND s.column_id=sc.column_id
LEFT OUTER JOIN sys.check_constraints cc ON s.object_id=cc.parent_object_id AND s.column_id=cc.parent_column_id
--------------------------------------------
--- DBA - Hank 12-Feb-2015 added this specific where statement
-- where Upper(s.name) like ''COURSE%''
-- where Upper(s.name) in (''' + #ColumnName + ''')
-- where Upper(s.name) in (''cycle_Code'')
-- ORDER BY sh.name+''.''+o.name,s.column_id
order by 1,2'
--------------------
Declare DB_cursor CURSOR
FOR
SELECT name FROM sys.databases
--select * from sys.databases
WHERE STATE = 0
-- and Name not IN ('master','msdb','tempdb','model','DocxPress')
and Name not IN ('msdb','tempdb','model','DocxPress')
Open DB_cursor
Fetch next from DB_cursor into #DBName
While ##FETCH_STATUS = 0
begin
--select #DBName as '#DBName';
Set #SQL_String1 = 'USE [' + #DBName + ']'
set #SQL_String1 = #SQL_String1 + #SQL_String2
EXEC sp_executesql #SQL_String1;
--
insert into #Column_Info
select * from ##Temp_Column_Info;
drop table ##Temp_Column_Info;
Fetch next From DB_cursor into #DBName
end
CLOSE DB_cursor;
Deallocate DB_cursor;
---
select * from #Column_Info order by 2,3
----------------------------
end
---------------------------
Below is the Second script..
---------------------------
--- 2nd example (works) ---
---------------------------
-- This is by far the best/fastes of the lot for what it delivers.
--Select * into dbo.hanktst From Master.INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
--FileID: SCRIPT_Get_Column_info_(INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS).sql
----------------------------------------
--FileID: SCRIPT_Get_Column_info_(INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS).sql
-- Utility to find all columns in all databases or find specific with a like statement
-- Look at this line to find a: --> set #SQL_String2 = ' select * into ##Temp_Column_Info....
----------------------------------------
---
SET NOCOUNT ON
begin
Declare #hanktst TABLE (
[TABLE_CATALOG] NVARCHAR(128) NULL
,[TABLE_SCHEMA] NVARCHAR(128) NULL
,[TABLE_NAME] sysname NOT NULL
,[COLUMN_NAME] sysname NULL
,[ORDINAL_POSITION] INT NULL
,[COLUMN_DEFAULT] NVARCHAR(4000) NULL
,[IS_NULLABLE] VARCHAR(3) NULL
,[DATA_TYPE] NVARCHAR(128) NULL
,[CHARACTER_MAXIMUM_LENGTH] INT NULL
,[CHARACTER_OCTET_LENGTH] INT NULL
,[NUMERIC_PRECISION] TINYINT NULL
,[NUMERIC_PRECISION_RADIX] SMALLINT NULL
,[NUMERIC_SCALE] INT NULL
,[DATETIME_PRECISION] SMALLINT NULL
,[CHARACTER_SET_CATALOG] sysname NULL
,[CHARACTER_SET_SCHEMA] sysname NULL
,[CHARACTER_SET_NAME] sysname NULL
,[COLLATION_CATALOG] sysname NULL
,[COLLATION_SCHEMA] sysname NULL
,[COLLATION_NAME] sysname NULL
,[DOMAIN_CATALOG] sysname NULL
,[DOMAIN_SCHEMA] sysname NULL
,[DOMAIN_NAME] sysname NULL
)
Declare
#DBName sysname
,#SQL_String2 nvarchar(4000)
,#TempRowCnt varchar(20)
,#Dbug bit = 0
Declare DB_cursor CURSOR
FOR
SELECT name FROM sys.databases
WHERE STATE = 0
-- and Name not IN ('master','msdb','tempdb','model','DocxPress')
and Name not IN ('msdb','tempdb','model','DocxPress')
Open DB_cursor
Fetch next from DB_cursor into #DBName
While ##FETCH_STATUS = 0
begin
set #SQL_String2 = ' select * into ##Temp_Column_Info from [' + #DBName + '].INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
where UPPER(Column_Name) like ''COURSE%''
;'
if #Dbug = 1 Select #SQL_String2 as '#SQL_String2';
EXEC sp_executesql #SQL_String2;
insert into #hanktst
select * from ##Temp_Column_Info;
drop table ##Temp_Column_Info;
Fetch next From DB_cursor into #DBName
end
select * from #hanktst order by 4,2,3
CLOSE DB_cursor;
Deallocate DB_cursor;
set #TempRowCnt = (select cast(count(1) as varchar(10)) from #hanktst )
Print ('Rows found: '+ #TempRowCnt +' end ...')
end
--------

I just realized that the following query would give you all column names from the table in your database (SQL SERVER 2017)
SELECT DISTINCT NAME FROM SYSCOLUMNS
ORDER BY Name
OR SIMPLY
SELECT Name FROM SYSCOLUMNS
If you do not care about duplicated names.
Another option is SELECT Column names from INFORMATION_SCHEMA
SELECT DISTINCT column_name FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
ORDER BY column_name
It is usually more interesting to have the TableName as well as the ColumnName ant the query below does just that.
SELECT
Object_Name(Id) As TableName,
Name As ColumnName
FROM SysColumns
And the results would look like
TableName ColumnName
0 Table1 column11
1 Table1 Column12
2 Table2 Column21
3 Table2 Column22
4 Table3 Column23

I used:
EXEC sp_MSforeachdb 'Use ? Select * From INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS '
It seems to work for what I needed.

try the below query
DECLARE #Query VARCHAR(max)
SELECT #Query = 'USE ? SELECT ''?'' AS DataBaseName,
sys.columns.name AS ColumnName ,
sys.tables.name AS TableName ,
schema_name (sys.tables.schema_Id) AS schemaName
FROM sys.columns
JOIN sys.tables
ON sys.columns.object_id = sys.tables.object_id
WHERE sys.columns.name = ''id'' '
EXEC SP_MSFOREACHDB #Query
gives list of tables containing ID column from all databases.

SELECT sys.columns.name AS ColumnName, tables.name AS TableName
FROM sys.columns
JOIN sys.tables ON sys.columns.object_id = tables.object_id

user #KM say best Answer.
I Use This :
Declare #Table_Name VarChar(100) ,#Column_Name VarChar(100)
Set #Table_Name = ''
Set #Column_Name = ''
Select
RowNumber = Row_Number() Over( PARTITION BY T.[Name] Order By T.[Name],C.column_id ),
SCHEMA_NAME( T.schema_id ) As SchemaName ,
T.[Name] As Table_Name ,
C.[Name] As Field_Name ,
sysType.name ,
C.max_length , C.is_nullable , C.is_identity , C.scale , C.precision
From Sys.Tables As T
Left Join Sys.Columns As C On ( T.[Object_Id] = C.[Object_Id] )
Left Join sys.types As sysType On ( C.user_type_id = sysType.user_type_id )
Where ( Type = 'U' )
And ( C.Name Like '%' + #Column_Name + '%' )
And ( T.Name Like '%' + #Table_Name + '%' )

Minor refinement on KM's solution for those like me who've got collation fun on their DB server....
DECLARE #SQL varchar(max)=''
SELECT #SQL=#SQL+'UNION
select
'''+d.name +'.''+sh.name+''.''+o.name COLLATE SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS,c.name COLLATE SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS,c.column_id
from '+d.name +'.sys.columns c
inner join sys.objects o on c.object_id=o.object_id
INNER JOIN sys.schemas sh on o.schema_id=sh.schema_id
'
FROM sys.databases d
SELECT #SQL=RIGHT(#SQL,LEN(#SQL)-5)+'order by 1,3'
--print #SQL
EXEC (#SQL)
(Still living in hope that we'll find a way to do this that can be wrapped into a view.)

My solution for similar task was:
if object_id('tempdb..##temp_meta') is not null
drop table ##temp_meta
create table ##temp_meta(database_name sysname
, schema_name sysname
, table_name sysname
, column_name sysname
, column_id tinyint
, type_name sysname
, max_length int
, precision tinyint
, scale tinyint
, is_nullable bit
, is_identity bit)
exec sp_MSforeachdb '
if(''?'' not in (''master'', ''msdb'', ''model'', ''tempdb''))
begin
USE [?]
insert into ##temp_meta
SELECT
''?'',
s.[name] AS schema_name,
t.name AS table_name,
c.[name] as column_name,
c.column_id,
ty.name as type_name,
c.max_length,
c.precision,
c.scale,
c.is_nullable,
c.is_identity
FROM sys.columns c
JOIN sys.types ty
ON ty.system_type_id = c.system_type_id
JOIN sys.tables t
ON c.object_id = t.object_id
JOIN sys.schemas s
ON s.schema_id = t.schema_id
end'

sp_MSForEachDB #command1='USE ?;
SELECT
Table_Catalog
,Table_Schema
,Table_Name
,Column_Name
,Data_Type
,Character_Maximum_Length
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
WHERE
--Data_Type = ''int''
--AND
COLUMN_NAME like ''%ColumnName%''
And
Table_name like ''%TableName%''
order by 1,2,3
'

Here, this is my code to search for a column name in all databases in the current instance:
SET ANSI_NULLS ON
GO
SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON
GO
-- =============================================
-- Author: themah
-- Create date: 2022-10-09
-- Description: Looking for a column name in all databases in current instance, and list the db names
-- =============================================
CREATE OR ALTER PROCEDURE [dbo].[FindColumnNameInAllDatabases]
#columnNameToFind NVARCHAR (100)
AS
BEGIN
-- SET NOCOUNT ON added to prevent extra result sets from
-- interfering with SELECT statements.
SET NOCOUNT ON;
DECLARE #dbName VARCHAR(100)
DECLARE #queryEachDatabase NVARCHAR(MAX)
DECLARE dbNamesCursor CURSOR FOR
SELECT [Name]
FROM sys.databases AS d
WHERE d.name NOT IN ('master', 'tempdb', 'model', 'msdb')
OPEN dbNamesCursor
FETCH NEXT FROM dbNamesCursor INTO #dbName
WHILE (##FETCH_STATUS = 0)
BEGIN
SET #queryEachDatabase = N'IF Exists
(SELECT 1 FROM [' + #dbName + '].[INFORMATION_SCHEMA].[Columns] WHERE [Column_Name] Like N''%' + #columnNameToFind + '%'')
BEGIN
PRINT ''' + #dbName + '''
END
'
--PRINT #queryEachDatabase
EXEC(#queryEachDatabase)
FETCH NEXT FROM dbNamesCursor INTO #dbName
END
CLOSE dbNamesCursor
DEALLOCATE dbNamesCursor
END
GO
And a usage example : EXEC dbo.FindColumnNameInAllDb N'firstName'
Or another useful way to print the queries is this :
DECLARE #columnName NVARCHAR(100) = N'firstName'
SELECT
'SELECT * FROM [' + NAME + '].[INFORMATION_SCHEMA].[Columns] WHERE [Column_Name] Like N''%' + #columnName + '%'''
FROM [sys].[databases]