Unique Keys Wizard (SQL Server)

From DBArtisan
Jump to: navigation, search

Go Up to Microsoft SQL Server Object Wizards

Unique keys can enforce logical keys that are not chosen as the primary key. In other words, you can use a unique key to ensure no duplicate values are entered in specific columns that are not a part of the primary key. Although you can only attach one primary key to a table, you can attach multiple unique keys. Also, you can use unique keys on columns that allow null values.

To create a new unique key using a wizard:

  1. Open a creation wizard for a unique key. For details, see Opening an Object Wizard.
  2. Use the following topics as a guide to setting properties and performing tasks as you pass through the wizard panels:
  3. Finally, use the Execute button to create the object.

Unique Keys (SQL Server) - Properties

When creating or editing a unique key, this tab/panel lets you work with the following settings:

Setting Description

Table Owner and Table Name

Choose the owner and name of the table in which the unique key is being created.

Name

Provide a name of the unique key being created.

Build Online

Enabling this feature specifies that the ONLINE=ON clause is used when creating this object and can subsequently be used when rebuilding or dropping this object.

Max degree of parallelism

Lets you specify a MAXDOP index operation value, limiting the number of processors used in parallel plan execution.

Clustered

Enable or disable clustering. With this check box enabled, subsequent rebuild and drop operations offer an online option.

File Group

If you do not specify a filegroup, Microsoft SQL Server creates the unique key in the default filegroup.

Fill Factor

This specifies how full each index page that’s storing data should be. The fill factor is a percentage value between 0 and 100.

Unique Keys (SQL Server) - Columns

From the Column dropdown, select a column for the primary key and specify a Sort option. To add more columns, click the New button and then follow the steps in the last instruction. Use the Delete button to drop columns.