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

Question

I want to find all column names in all tables in all databases. Is there a query that can do that for me? The database is Microsoft SQL Server 2000.

Answer 1

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.